Encouraging Words From Streams in the Desert (Oct 19)

The ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them. (Numbers 10:33)

God sometimes does influence us with a simple touch or feeling, but not so we would act on the feeling. If the touch is from Him, He will then provide sufficient evidence to confirm it beyond the slightest doubt.

Consider the beautiful story of Jeremiah, when he felt God leading him to purchase the field at Anathoth. He did not act on his initial feeling but waited for God to completely fulfill His words to him before taking action. Then once his cousin came to him, bringing the external evidence of God’s direction by making a proposal for the purchase, he responded and said, “I knew that this was the word of the LORD” (Jer. 32:8).

Jeremiah waited until God confirmed his feeling through a providential act, and then he worked with a clear view of the facts, which God could also use to bring conviction to others. God wants us to act only once we have His mind on a certain situation. We are not to ignore the Shepherd’s personal voice to us, but like “Paul and his companions” (Acts 16:6) at Troas, we are to listen and also examine His providential work in our circumstances, in order to glean the full mind of the Lord. A. B. Simpson

Wherever God’s finger points, His hand will clear a way.

Never say in your heart what you will or will not do but wait until God reveals His way to you. As long as that way is hidden, it is clear that there is no need of action and that He holds Himself accountable for all the results of keeping you exactly where you are. Selected

For God through ways we have not known, will lead His own.

Reading this causes me to think upon Mary and Martha. Martha was moving, Mary was not. Martha was serving busily in the kitchen and holding Mary in contempt in her heart because her focus was on the work. Mary was serving in her stillness, worshiping with a pure heart because her focus was centered on Jesus. In our busy society it can be hard to understand that sometimes the Lord would have us serve Him in waiting quietly before Him with a pure and undefiled heart rather than serve Him in deeds and actions.

If the Lord has you in a holding pattern it is because He wants to spend time with you at His feet. Remember Jesus' words to Martha, "...you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (emphasis mine)

Many blessings and Merry Christmas to you~

CC

He Isn't Finished Yet!

Streams in the Desert—April 17^th

^{“In one of George MacDonald’s books, one of the characters makes this bitter statement: “I wonder why God made me.  I certainly don’t see any purpose in it!”  Another of the characters responds, “Perhaps you don’t see any purpose yet, but then, He isn’t finished making you.  And besides, you are arguing with the process.”}

“If people would only believe they are still in the process of creation…allowing Him to handle them…and yield themselves…to the turning of His wheel, they would soon find themselves able to welcome every pressure from His hand on them, even if it results in pain.”    Jeremiah 18:4 

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.

I’ve asked this question before---have you?  Well, be encouraged not to ever ask of your God and Creator this question again.  There are two statements that follow this question that are rich in truth, backed by Scripture.

1)  "…He isn’t finished making you.”

2)  ‘If people would only believe they are still in the process of creation…’

God isn’t finished with us (Phil 1:6)

We are still in the process of creation (1 Peter 2:5)

Creation doesn’t stop with our physical bodies, God has a far greater purpose in mind for us…His ways are higher than our ways. (Is 55:8-9)

2 Cor 3:18 But we all…are being transformed…from glory to glory…

The process of creation, in the lives of believers, is on going.

…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house. 1 Peter 2:5

I like what Jon Courson comments on this verse, he writes, “That we are living stones who are being built up, or fit together, as a spiritual house brings to mind a most interesting Scripture.

And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made before it was brought tither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.  1 Kings 6:7

We’re living stones being fit together for an eternal temple in heaven.  This life is the quarry, which explains why we always feel like we’re being chipped and chiseled.

…God puts us in fixes to fix us, He puts us with people and in situations He knows will shape us most effectively.  So if I try to fix the fix God put me in, He will be faithful to put me in another fix to fix the fix He wanted to fix in the first place.” Jon Courson

As an onion has many layers our hearts have many layers as well.  God wants to go deep into those layers to purify us.  This is the part of the creation process that can hurt and bring sorrow, tears and great grief as the Lord exposes unholiness in our hearts to cleanse, sanctify and set us apart for His purposes.  This work is necessary for the Workman, our Creator, to complete the work He started in us. (Phil 1:6)

One day we will leave this quarry to be placed, a stone shaped to perfection, in an eternal temple.

…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house…(emphasis mine)

One more thought—God already knows what we are made of; He knows our flaws.

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb    Ps 139:13

“…then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men)  1 Kings 8:39 (emphasis mine)

When God looks upon His creation, yes He sees our flaws, but He doesn’t criticize or baulk with disgust, rather He would say to you and to me, “I can fix that, if you will let Me help you.”

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Heb 4:16

And let’s pray…

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.     Ps 139:23-24

Then wait and watch and as the Lord places His hand on those areas that need healing, don’t squirm away, don’t try to remove yourself from His wheel, rather, stay put under the pressure of His hand and …let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:4)

Staying put,

CC

Got Faith...?

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord: he is a double-minded man unstable in all his ways.  (James 1:5-8)

Now that is comforting to my soul.  Upon my initial reading of these scriptures, years ago, these verses struck a cord of fear in me for I knew I was a double-minded woman.  I longed for the wisdom of the Lord yet it seemed as though it would forever be withheld from me; uncertainty reigned in my heart.

I've grown over the years in my walk with the Lord.  I've learned a few things by the gentle teaching hand of the Holy Spirit.  What used to strike fear in me now brings comfort to my heart.  I have learned that it wasn't my Father withholding from me but me not allowing Him to give me His wisdom.  The Lord wasn't keeping something good from me rather I was refusing to accept His good and perfect gift (v17).  What the Lord was wanting to give to me I refused because doubt and worry consumed me and in this flesh can sometimes be comforting.

Doubting is dangerous to the christian because it clouds our vision.  You know the old hymn, "Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me...was blind but now I see"?  It is grace that gives us vision, salvation through the blood of Jesus, that we see more clearly, the scriptures are opened wide and new understanding floods our souls.  We are alive with Christ and the throne of heaven has been revealed.  

And yet we linger in doubt, we waver in lack of understanding, we trip over our intellect, and we fall due to human wisdom.   The Lord is always before us wanting to lead us and guide us away from the snares of the enemy.  Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. (Prov 3:25-26)

What I have learned over the years is to do just as Proverbs 3:1 tells us to do. My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; (v2) for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.

Doubt is fear. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real.  The Lord does not deceive for He cannot lie. (Num 23:19 and Titus 1:2) Thus the Lord is truth (John 14:16) and trustworthy.

When I doubt my focus is no longer on the Lord.  I become accutely aware of the possibilities of failure and that can be applied to a myriad of situations.  Such as, "I don't have what it takes", "What if I get burned", "They could hurt me".  I'm sure you can fill in the blanks with your own thoughts.  Doubt is centered on self.  Faith is centered on our Almighty God. (Heb 11:1)  So when we doubt we move ourselves into a position where we can no longer receive from God because He is no longer reigning in our hearts for we have placed doubt on the throne in our hearts.  

There is only one way to get ourselves back before the Lord and that is to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor 10: 5)  That obedience requires us to take his cross and follow after [Jesus]. (Mat 10:38)  Because, "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Mat 10:39)  

Meditate on these things:

Proverbs 2:1-9

My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.  Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.

It is comforting to my soul to know that if the Lord gives [wisdom] to all liberally and without reproach, then it shall be done and we can confidently come before our Father and ask for direction in any given thing and He will give it in His time.  All we have to do is wait.  Isn't that glorious.  

Is 30:15 

In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.

Blessings to you in Christ,

CC