Purposefully Being Private

Restricted movement declared for two weeks. 

God speaks to us in all circumstances

Learning to Obey

I said “No” too quickly before, for another event. This time I agreed, albeit after some hesitation. The topic was one which, as I prepared, I got all excited about. 

On the same morning I was due to speak, I was woken just after dawn with a re-write etched clearly in my mind. Had to be God and not me! I got up, and got it all down on Keynotes as well as PowerPoint in less than an hour. 

I experienced such (unnatural) peace that I didn’t look at it again till it was time to go and upload it on the computer at the speaking venue. Never before!

As I spoke, changes and tweaks came. All I can say is, "God, You are amazing". 

When I ended, it seemed like I ended too early - there was too much time. With hindisght however, it actually turned out to be God-ordained time - the Good News could be shared in the small breakout groups. And such joy! One precious soul accepted the Lord in the small group. Hallelujah! 

Come Over and Help Us

The Macedonian call. Come over and help us. Can we deny the plea? Hard to do so.

So immediately, as one would mount a horse and gallop with a "High - O Silver awaaaay!" I say "Sure". 

Of course later I have second thoughts. Now I am having triple thoughts. My thought basically run the same direction, "Lord, can I do this?" and, "Lord, what have I let myself in for?" 

I will update you!

Ministry is not a call to lead, but to die

Read an old article that I had saved. So glad I saved it. Francis Frangipane writes

When I first came to Christ, the Lord gave me a dream about my future. I thought that everything the Lord said was supposed to occur immediately; I didn't know of the work of preparation and dying to self, of learning patience and maintaining vision through testing, that would occur before God's promise would find fulfillment. Consequently, I was filled with ambition. Ambition is the first motive that arises in the spiritually immature. I was like the disciples who, a few days after Jesus' resurrection, were already asking, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom?" (Acts 1:6).

Ambition is very deceptive. It can seem just like obedience, yet because we don't truly know the Lord, the voice we find ourselves obeying is not God's, but our own. Our vision can actually be from God, but our motive be self. Consequently, where there is ambition, James tells us there will soon emerge "disorder and every evil thing" (James 3:16). Why? Because we begin thinking we can accomplish the will of God through the strength of man. We are seeking a breakthrough; God wants to give us brokenness.

The spiritually immature do not recognize their immaturity because they are immature. Thus, they become impatient, fearful and demanding. Because pride blinds the ambitious, we presume we are ready for greater assignments in God. In fact, we become a harder assignment for those who work with us, for our actions continually generate strife.

Ambition seeks to put to death what stands between it and spiritual fulfillment. Yet, it is ambition itself that must die to reach fulfillment. Webster's tells us that ambition is "an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as wealth or fame, and the willingness to strive for it." The word translated "ambition" in the NAS is rendered "strife" in the King James. Truly, ambition is a major cause for strife, church splits and conflicts within the church.

I thought having a promise from God was the same thing as receiving a commandment from God. I did not understand what I personally lacked in character or what I needed to attain concerning faithfulness, becoming a bond-servant, and possessing a grateful heart. These things needed to be worked in me before God would truly begin to fulfill His larger promises and opportunities. What I became for God was more important than what I did for Him.

Today, I am living in the spiritual substance of what was just a dream thirty-eight years ago. My ambitions have suffered greatly, yet my dreams are being fulfilled. While I have not yet arrived at the greatest aspects of my calling, I understand the difference between ambition and true leadership and it is this: Ministry is not a call to lead, but to die.

Every advance that I have made spiritually was preceded by an opportunity to die to self. The power in my life comes from where I have died to self and now live unto Christ.

Do you want to advance spiritually? The gateway to resurrection power is crucifixion. God will arrange opportunities for you to die to self. You must discern them. Dying to self and its ambition is the means of reaching true spiritual fulfillment. If you react to the opportunity to die with fleshly anger or resentment, you will fail to reach fulfillment. However, if you can maintain your vision even while your ambition dies, you will succeed.

Cup of Death

Taking the Cup.

The Cup of Death.

Death of Ambition

There's a powerful article in Francis Frangipane today.

Go check it out.

As Hubby said, "Many people mask their ambition with 'leaving a legacy', 'spirit of excellence', doing the best for Christ', etc".

Myself included.

Article talks about "God wants to give us brokenness"

That ties in with a sermon I heard recently to be authentic, broken and courageous.

What does it mean to be broken? It means to be dependent on the Lord, and not on ourselves. To be humbled and not to aspire for anything more than what He gives.

Easy to write, easier to read. Harder to live out.

And yet this is what we must do.

A New and Extra Hat

Image from Masks, Wigs & Costumes

In a few days I will begin a new job. This will be on top of my other activities, responsibilities and ministries. I am looking forward to it, and yet at the same time, am mindful that I have a lot to learn. There will be new people to meet and to work along with. Extra responsibilities in dealing with people and over projects.

A busy time ahead, but there is also a sense of this being Kairos time.

Wikipedia defines :-

Kairos (καιρός) is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment. The ancient Greeks had two words for time, chronos and kairos. While the former refers to chronological or sequential time, the latter signifies a time in between, a moment of undetermined period of time in which something special happens. What the special something is depends on who is using the word. While chronos is quantitative, kairos has a qualitative nature.^[1]

So this is a moment in time in which something special must happen. And for it to happen, I must step into it.

Similarly, we all have Kairos moments. If God puts a Kairos moment in front of us, we must obey and step into them. Otherwise when the time is past, then the kairos is no more.

Are you at a point of Kairos right now? Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and let Him guide you. He is the Parakletos, the Counselor. Ask wise brethren to pray and seek God with you. Once you receive confirmation (either way) do not be slow to obey. To be told more than once is not being obedient.