Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Isa 55:6
I had a dream last night, and without going into the full details, I wanted to express to all today that He is near... We need to examine ourselves and ask ourselves the most important question for these times we are living in, "What am I doing to seek Him"..
We can no longer manipulate our thinking process to say that an hour or two a week is sufficient because I am around a group of beievers... This seeking is a dying to self, giving up all, on the floor, searching, and searching, until,, when you find yourself in a place that you can not get any lower,,,, the Lord gives you a groan, and a cry and the Lord enters in with you,,,, and suddenly,,,, there is a song that you have never heard before that erupts from your spirit and when you have reached that place,,, you never want to stop.........
" Don't Wake Me Up"
-Larry Dammerman-
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Receiving #1
The man at the pulpit senses a presence that is familiar to him during his times alone in his secret place. As he looks over the congregation, he feels that this moment can not be brushed aside, much less ignored.. “Everyone, hold out your hands”, he says “and just receive”..
This portrays a moment in our life to where we need to be the partakers of this wonderful gift, “to freely receive”, which has been the desire of our Heavenly Father from the beginning of time.
I was awestruck this week at a lesson that was being taught from Matt. Chapter 10 where Jesus is speaking to his 12 disciples and gives them power over all the unclean spirits. He then says to them in verse 8, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” This was an astounding statement if you really look at in the way it is presented. Jesus is saying to them, “I am freely giving to you the anointing that I have, now go and walk in it, and freely give it away.
Have we postured ourselves in a manner that has allowed us to receive from our Lord? Ok, let me step out on a limb here for a moment…… Are we seeing a massive amount of people leave our presence or leave our churches just as sick and in as much bondage as when they came??? Because if we are, “and we do”, is it possible that there is something missing? Are we entering homes or hospitals with bed ridden individuals, and leaving them still in the same manner that they were in when we arrived?? Is it possible then, that what is missing is our “refusal” to receive? Whether the refusal is intentional or not, is it just simply a lack of unbelief on our part that God would give us something like this for free?
-Larry K. Dammerman-
This portrays a moment in our life to where we need to be the partakers of this wonderful gift, “to freely receive”, which has been the desire of our Heavenly Father from the beginning of time.
I was awestruck this week at a lesson that was being taught from Matt. Chapter 10 where Jesus is speaking to his 12 disciples and gives them power over all the unclean spirits. He then says to them in verse 8, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” This was an astounding statement if you really look at in the way it is presented. Jesus is saying to them, “I am freely giving to you the anointing that I have, now go and walk in it, and freely give it away.
Have we postured ourselves in a manner that has allowed us to receive from our Lord? Ok, let me step out on a limb here for a moment…… Are we seeing a massive amount of people leave our presence or leave our churches just as sick and in as much bondage as when they came??? Because if we are, “and we do”, is it possible that there is something missing? Are we entering homes or hospitals with bed ridden individuals, and leaving them still in the same manner that they were in when we arrived?? Is it possible then, that what is missing is our “refusal” to receive? Whether the refusal is intentional or not, is it just simply a lack of unbelief on our part that God would give us something like this for free?
-Larry K. Dammerman-
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Journey
For the last week I have not been able to sit down and write a new blog... Not because I didn't want to, but because I have been on this journey of feelings and emotions,, etc. etc..... What I have come to realize is, that although those journeys in our lives have many ups and downs,, we do not go on them alone.. Sometimes it really feels like we are alone,, but we really aren't.....
Last week I was in a continuous state of asking God "WHY".... Why am I feeling this way, why do I feel like you are not with me on this,, why, why ,why,,,, and every time I started to experience my loneliest moment,,, He would speak to me somehow,,,,, either through a sermon, a song, a prayer from a friend through an email, or,, through the mouth of a little sweet 14 yr. old girl reading a scripture.
So, I knew enough, to "refuse" to allow myself to get offended at God for waiting too long to speak to me,,, in which I could only measure by my "own impatience",, because I also realized that what He really wanted,,, was for me to "trust" Him, and "seek" Him.
It is so easy for us in those times to look sideways and not up,,, looking for answers in places we shouldn't,, especially our own intellect,, and I believe this is where we can experience some very quiet times,, just "talking" to ourselves,, leaving out what is most important,"God".
I did not expect to write anything today that would be profound,, I just wanted to express to you the desire that is in God's heart to have fellowship with you... When you are sitting alone, nobody around, and the world seems to be crashing all around you,,, what will you do?? Will you seek the heart of God,, or will you seek other things?????
-Larry Dammerman-
Last week I was in a continuous state of asking God "WHY".... Why am I feeling this way, why do I feel like you are not with me on this,, why, why ,why,,,, and every time I started to experience my loneliest moment,,, He would speak to me somehow,,,,, either through a sermon, a song, a prayer from a friend through an email, or,, through the mouth of a little sweet 14 yr. old girl reading a scripture.
So, I knew enough, to "refuse" to allow myself to get offended at God for waiting too long to speak to me,,, in which I could only measure by my "own impatience",, because I also realized that what He really wanted,,, was for me to "trust" Him, and "seek" Him.
It is so easy for us in those times to look sideways and not up,,, looking for answers in places we shouldn't,, especially our own intellect,, and I believe this is where we can experience some very quiet times,, just "talking" to ourselves,, leaving out what is most important,"God".
I did not expect to write anything today that would be profound,, I just wanted to express to you the desire that is in God's heart to have fellowship with you... When you are sitting alone, nobody around, and the world seems to be crashing all around you,,, what will you do?? Will you seek the heart of God,, or will you seek other things?????
-Larry Dammerman-
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Repentance
The Hebrew Word Picture of "Repentance" is a stirring example of the depth of the ancient language. The word Shoov, (repentance) means to Burn The House Down, And Change The Kingdom.
This is interesting considering the message that broke the 400 years of silence in Matt4:17, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."
We can not say that we have truly repented if we still have walls, and rooms to go back to. A true turning away, or changing of heart, as some modern definitions paint the word, can not happen if we are secretly longing for "the old house."
Just some thoughts.
-Christina Dammerman-
This is interesting considering the message that broke the 400 years of silence in Matt4:17, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."
We can not say that we have truly repented if we still have walls, and rooms to go back to. A true turning away, or changing of heart, as some modern definitions paint the word, can not happen if we are secretly longing for "the old house."
Just some thoughts.
-Christina Dammerman-
Friday, March 12, 2010
"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-
Saturday, April 18, 2009
04-18-09 Our Lord's Surprise
“Be ye therefore ready also.” Luke 12:40
The great need for the Christian worker is to be ready to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience is. The battle is not against sin or difficulties or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in work that we are not ready to face Jesus Christ at every turn. That is the one great need, not the facing our belief, or our creed, the question whether we are of any use, but to face Him.
Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical connections. The only way a worker can keep true to God is by being ready for the Lord's surprise visits. It is not service that matters, but intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This will give our life the attitude of child-wonder which He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious (that is, using religion as a higher kind of culture) and be spiritually real.
If you are "looking off unto Jesus," avoiding the call of the religious age you live in, and setting your heart on what He wants, on thinking on His line - you will be called unpractical and dreamy; but when He appears in the burden and the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready. Trust no one, not even the finest saint who ever walked this earth, ignore him, if he hinders your sight of Jesus Christ.
-Oswald Chambers-
The great need for the Christian worker is to be ready to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience is. The battle is not against sin or difficulties or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in work that we are not ready to face Jesus Christ at every turn. That is the one great need, not the facing our belief, or our creed, the question whether we are of any use, but to face Him.
Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical connections. The only way a worker can keep true to God is by being ready for the Lord's surprise visits. It is not service that matters, but intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This will give our life the attitude of child-wonder which He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious (that is, using religion as a higher kind of culture) and be spiritually real.
If you are "looking off unto Jesus," avoiding the call of the religious age you live in, and setting your heart on what He wants, on thinking on His line - you will be called unpractical and dreamy; but when He appears in the burden and the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready. Trust no one, not even the finest saint who ever walked this earth, ignore him, if he hinders your sight of Jesus Christ.
-Oswald Chambers-
Monday, March 23, 2009
Prayer In The Father's Honour
“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-
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-
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.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
02-28-09 "Give us Bread"
Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." John 6:34
As we note in Luke Chapter 11 when the disciples observed Jesus praying, that they did not ask Him to teach them how to raise people from the dead, cause a blind eye to see or heal the Lepers.. No, they said “Lord teach us how to pray”. It seems as almost in the same breath when Jesus finishes the prayer in Luke chapter 11, He wants to make known to the disciples that there is something of great importance in the Daily Bread He had just instructed them to pray for. For he says in v-5,6 "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him”.
He is speaking of a certain man who had a friend show up at his “tent”. It is at a very late hour and this man’s friend has been on a very long journey. This man’s friend was in need of something and there was not any possible way that this man could give it to Him. “I will take you to my friend”, says the man, he is a dear friend and he will have the bread that you need. “Yes”, I will take you with me and I will inquire with you, for you see my friend will surely have the “true bread that you are searching for”. In fact, this is where I found “true bread” for me..
A true friend will always admit they have no bread, but they know how to lead their friend to the one that has and is the “True Bread”, never boasting of them selves saying “look at me”, but always pointing them right straight to the Father.
In John 6:32 Jesus is speaking to a large group of people that had found Him in Capernaum, after their long journey, and He tells them that even Moses did not give them the bread from Heaven, But, Jesus says “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven”... Moses never did not boast that he himself was the bread, or supplied the bread.. When hearing this, suddenly the spiritual hunger rose up in those people at Capernaum and they cried out "Lord, give us this bread always."
Then Jesus said, "I am the bread”.
-Larry K. Dammerman-
As we note in Luke Chapter 11 when the disciples observed Jesus praying, that they did not ask Him to teach them how to raise people from the dead, cause a blind eye to see or heal the Lepers.. No, they said “Lord teach us how to pray”. It seems as almost in the same breath when Jesus finishes the prayer in Luke chapter 11, He wants to make known to the disciples that there is something of great importance in the Daily Bread He had just instructed them to pray for. For he says in v-5,6 "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him”.
He is speaking of a certain man who had a friend show up at his “tent”. It is at a very late hour and this man’s friend has been on a very long journey. This man’s friend was in need of something and there was not any possible way that this man could give it to Him. “I will take you to my friend”, says the man, he is a dear friend and he will have the bread that you need. “Yes”, I will take you with me and I will inquire with you, for you see my friend will surely have the “true bread that you are searching for”. In fact, this is where I found “true bread” for me..
A true friend will always admit they have no bread, but they know how to lead their friend to the one that has and is the “True Bread”, never boasting of them selves saying “look at me”, but always pointing them right straight to the Father.
In John 6:32 Jesus is speaking to a large group of people that had found Him in Capernaum, after their long journey, and He tells them that even Moses did not give them the bread from Heaven, But, Jesus says “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven”... Moses never did not boast that he himself was the bread, or supplied the bread.. When hearing this, suddenly the spiritual hunger rose up in those people at Capernaum and they cried out "Lord, give us this bread always."
Then Jesus said, "I am the bread”.
-Larry K. Dammerman-
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Names of God 15- A GRAIN OF WHEAT
John 12:23,24 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
His first bed a lowly feeding trough, before He could be glorified, The Bread of Heaven must become as a grain of wheat. ("Bethlehem" means "House of Bread") How insignificant seems a grain of wheat, and yet this suggestion is one of the most wonderful in the Word of God. A grain of wheat is so small that it can hardly be held between the fingers without dropping, and yet it is associated with His glory! He must die in order to bring forth fruit. So must we ("daily" as per Lk 9:23), if we are to be like Him. How hard it seems to human pride to become as a grain of wheat and then to die to this world. But listen to the Words of His Testimony and look upon His
example. Do we desire to be like Him?
Lord, help us to ponder upon this truth today and long to be more like you. Amen.
His first bed a lowly feeding trough, before He could be glorified, The Bread of Heaven must become as a grain of wheat. ("Bethlehem" means "House of Bread") How insignificant seems a grain of wheat, and yet this suggestion is one of the most wonderful in the Word of God. A grain of wheat is so small that it can hardly be held between the fingers without dropping, and yet it is associated with His glory! He must die in order to bring forth fruit. So must we ("daily" as per Lk 9:23), if we are to be like Him. How hard it seems to human pride to become as a grain of wheat and then to die to this world. But listen to the Words of His Testimony and look upon His
example. Do we desire to be like Him?
Lord, help us to ponder upon this truth today and long to be more like you. Amen.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
02-25-09 Can We See?
"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
-Jesus- Matt 6:22,23
Spiritual pride or spiritual blindness is the worst sort of blindness that a person can have, because that person will always think that they are right… You can never teach a person who thinks they are right that they need “light”… If they claim that Jesus Christ is their life but have not obeyed God and allowed the Holy Spirit to come in, then they truly do not have the light, but only darkness. “Their lamp is giving off no light”.
The eye is the lamp, but if that light inside of you has no oil (Holy Spirit), you will have nothing but darkness. It says in Pro 3:5,6 “ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”. So, if we have no oil for that lamp, you will never see that narrow path that we are to walk in, “and very narrow is that path”.
-Larry Dammerman-
-Jesus- Matt 6:22,23
Spiritual pride or spiritual blindness is the worst sort of blindness that a person can have, because that person will always think that they are right… You can never teach a person who thinks they are right that they need “light”… If they claim that Jesus Christ is their life but have not obeyed God and allowed the Holy Spirit to come in, then they truly do not have the light, but only darkness. “Their lamp is giving off no light”.
The eye is the lamp, but if that light inside of you has no oil (Holy Spirit), you will have nothing but darkness. It says in Pro 3:5,6 “ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”. So, if we have no oil for that lamp, you will never see that narrow path that we are to walk in, “and very narrow is that path”.
-Larry Dammerman-
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
02-24-09 Can A Saint Slander God?
“For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen.” 2 Cor 1:20
Jesus told the parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25 as a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacity. This parable has not to do with natural gifts, but with the gift of the Holy Ghost. We must not measure our spiritual capacity by education or by intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured by the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, before long we will slander Him as the servant slandered his master: "You expect more than You give me power to do; You demand too much of me, I cannot stand true to You where I am placed." When it is a question of God's Almighty Spirit, never say "I can't." Never let the limitation of natural ability come in. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be manifested in us.
The servant justified himself in everything he did and condemned his lord on every point - "Your demand is out of all proportion to what you give." Have we been slandering God by daring to worry when He has said: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"? Worrying means exactly what this servant implied - "I know You mean to leave me in the lurch." The person who is lazy naturally is always captious - "I haven't had a decent chance," and the one who is lazy spiritually is captious with God. Lazy people always strike out on an independent line.
Never forget that our capacity in spiritual matters is measured by the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether we have received the Holy Spirit.
-Oswald Chambers-
I believe that there is another important factor when the wicked and slothful servant says in Matt 25:24 “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.” I truly believe this statement was made because this man was a servant that did not know his Lord. For if he would have known his Lord then the command would not have been made in verse 30, “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This also confirms that the servant did indeed slander his master.
Now is the time to examine ourselves and see if we are being transformed or merely conforming to the world and calling ourselves Christians for the sake of a name. I do not have the intention to question anyone in their walk any more than I should question myself. Am I where I should be?? Am I using what the Holy Spirit is giving me in the way I should??? And if I am not, I ask that You reveal it to me Lord, so that I may be called a faithful servant.
Blessings,
Larry
Jesus told the parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25 as a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacity. This parable has not to do with natural gifts, but with the gift of the Holy Ghost. We must not measure our spiritual capacity by education or by intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured by the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, before long we will slander Him as the servant slandered his master: "You expect more than You give me power to do; You demand too much of me, I cannot stand true to You where I am placed." When it is a question of God's Almighty Spirit, never say "I can't." Never let the limitation of natural ability come in. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be manifested in us.
The servant justified himself in everything he did and condemned his lord on every point - "Your demand is out of all proportion to what you give." Have we been slandering God by daring to worry when He has said: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"? Worrying means exactly what this servant implied - "I know You mean to leave me in the lurch." The person who is lazy naturally is always captious - "I haven't had a decent chance," and the one who is lazy spiritually is captious with God. Lazy people always strike out on an independent line.
Never forget that our capacity in spiritual matters is measured by the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether we have received the Holy Spirit.
-Oswald Chambers-
I believe that there is another important factor when the wicked and slothful servant says in Matt 25:24 “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.” I truly believe this statement was made because this man was a servant that did not know his Lord. For if he would have known his Lord then the command would not have been made in verse 30, “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This also confirms that the servant did indeed slander his master.
Now is the time to examine ourselves and see if we are being transformed or merely conforming to the world and calling ourselves Christians for the sake of a name. I do not have the intention to question anyone in their walk any more than I should question myself. Am I where I should be?? Am I using what the Holy Spirit is giving me in the way I should??? And if I am not, I ask that You reveal it to me Lord, so that I may be called a faithful servant.
Blessings,
Larry
Names of God 14- A GOVERNOR
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Matt 2:6
Bethlehem of Judea! A little village, twice highly honored! The birthplace of David, King of Israel, and the birthplace of Jesus the Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords! Who could visit this Land of Promise and not desire to see this city of cities, the place where Jehovah enthroned in human form and lying in a manger gazed into the face of the virgin Mary, His mother. The Government shall be upon His shoulders and He will Reign in Righteousness! Blessed day!
We pray for its soon coming, and ask for grace that we may hasten it. Amen.
Bethlehem of Judea! A little village, twice highly honored! The birthplace of David, King of Israel, and the birthplace of Jesus the Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords! Who could visit this Land of Promise and not desire to see this city of cities, the place where Jehovah enthroned in human form and lying in a manger gazed into the face of the virgin Mary, His mother. The Government shall be upon His shoulders and He will Reign in Righteousness! Blessed day!
We pray for its soon coming, and ask for grace that we may hasten it. Amen.
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