The Love of Christ
I'm reading "Tortured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand, he endured fourteen years in communist prisons for his faith in Jesus Christ. In this book he tells of the pain and suffering inflicted on them by the communists, many of which they led to Christ. He also talks about the underground church, that exists within communist prisons and without.
Reading this book has caused me to question my faith, do I truly believe? I've realized that I'm not going to any foreign country to preach the word. My call is here, so here I'll stay, and I'll be as good a witness as I can, surrendering to the will of God and trusting Him to direct my paths.
I've also realized that I need to spend more time and energy learning to love and worship Jesus. In this book, Richard doesn't talk about scripture and doctrine, they weren't allowed Bibles in prison. He talks of loving the ones who beat and tortured them, and this is done with the love of God. In our human mind, this is inconceivable, even maddening. When we stop looking at ourselves and start looking at Christ and Christ only, our character changes. We begin to hurt for the people we see who don't have faith in Jesus Christ. They don't know the love of God nor the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding. To know this love gives us the ability to love those who hate us. We are to love the sinner and not the sin, as Christ did.
How can you watch, as men rape and brutalize your wife and then be expected to love them. I don't know, I can't imagine it, but I'm learning to look to Jesus for comfort and direction and not myself. I want to know this love, the love that Jesus spoke of and that Richard spoke of in "Tortured for Christ". I want to love people, not because of their outward appearance or action or my personal gain, I want to love them, because it's our call, to love as Christ loved, unconditionally. This is the journey I'm on, actually, all who want to know God's heart, are on this journey. I feel like I'm still at lesson one, learning to trust God. I trust Him to bring me to the end of this journey, which will actually be the beginning of eternity.
Lord, Help Us With Our Unbelief
Mark 9:23-24
23 Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.
24 And immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.
Jesus said, all things are possible to those who believe, then the father of the child cried out, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.
I remember reading this verse years ago, but I never asked God for understanding. Well, the other day, I asked the Lord, if we believe, then how can there be unbelief? He immediately reminded me of Rom 8:3, which says, God sent His Son to do what the law couldn't do, because of the weakness of our flesh.
That's it, we have unbelief because our flesh is weak, though we are following Christ, we are still following the ways of the world. Our flesh or carnal nature is of Adam and it wants the things of the world, because it's of the world . Ephesians 2 says, we were dead in the trespasses and sins, in which we once walked, following the course of the world, following the prince of the power of the air, aka the devil. We once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of our body and the mind, by nature, we were children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. It also says in Ephesians, a few verses later, that we who were once far off, have been brought near by the Blood of Christ.
God covered our unbelief with His grace, through the Blood of His Son. Jesus is the perfect and spotless Lamb, chosen by God, to be the perfect and final sacrifice. Though we still have a carnal nature to contend with, God, in His infinite love, reconciled us to Himself.
Eph 2:19, 22 ESV
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
We are now citizens in the Household of God. How cool is that? We are being built together into a dwelling place for God. Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them. He said in His Father's house are many mansions. Verse 22 says, we are being built together into a dwelling place for God. We are being built into His Father's house, where there are many mansions, we are the mansions that Jesus is building us into. All for God's glory! Hallelujah!
John 14:2 ESV
2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Jesus is preparing a place for us, by preparing us to be a place for God.
God bless
Living And Learning The Path Of Faith
If you get an email from worldprayr now it is usually being sent by one person, and one person only. That Person is Cortnee or Cortnee4Christ as she goes by on Twitter. Count on it she sent it, and trust you’ll be encouraged by it. As, that is Cortnee a constant source of encouragement and faith. Whether on Twitter or her blog she is constantly encouraging others in their faith. Yet, today she speaks of her own personal struggles in that area. She gets real, and transparent. We hope you are blessed by it.
My latest revelation, breakthrough, what have you, is all about Faith. I have been struggling, like many of us, in these hard economic times. People are losing homes, jobs, and their sense of hope. I have been for 3 years now trying to live by Faith in Jesus Christ. For me, this season is not so new. It has been something that I feel I have been experiencing for these 3 years. Recently I have felt betrayed, brokenhearted, tired, frustrated, unhappy, exhausted and confused. Anyone else?
I know all of the things the Bible says. I have read so many books, listened to all the cd's, watched all the speakers, and done all the Bible studies. I know what I am supposed to do, but I didn't want to do it. I have been mad at God because I am still going through the hard times.
I am still having to pay bills by what gets shut off first. I still have to dodge the phone calls and listen to the voicemail messages of people who want money from me. I know what it's like to run a business and not see the fruit of your labor.
So I know and understand the struggle. I have been in it, and not always happy about it. I still love the Lord with all my heart and soul. I pray and read the Word every day. I seek His guidance even though I am feeling all of these things.
The point you may ask? Well, I discovered, because even in the middle of my frustration, because I sought the Lord on all these matters, He revealed Himself to me. This morning He led me to a passage in the Bible that I had written on a post-it and put in the front of my Bible. I started reading Hebrews 4:12.
It says "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."At first glance, this was not the verse I wanted to read. It was not what I felt I needed in my hurting time.
So I decided to read the whole chapter, starting at the beginning of Chapter 4. When doing so, I realized why God brought me there. And don't mistake it, it was God. What he wanted to show me was how the Israelites complained and lost Faith in God while leaving Egypt and heading toward the Promised Land.
God did so many wonderful things for them. He split the Red Sea in half so they could pass without being consumed by the waters, and then closed the sea when the Egyptians came after them. Closing the gap between the Israelites, (God's chosen people), and their enemies.
After that, He provided food for them. He dropped it out of the sky and fell on the earth for them when they woke up EVERY MORNING! Wow - talk about breakfast in bed!
Then..."By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night." Exodus 13:20-22. Another wow!
Can you imagine, sit in it for a sec...I am fed fresh food every morning, I have God in a cloud to direct my path, and then a pillar of fire for night. I don't know about you but our God is amazing!!
Ok - so I am sure by now you are thinking, ok, so what else could He possibly do for them? I will tell you. God finally got them to the Promised Land. This was it. After 40 years, the Israelites are finally at their destination. They were finally home. The Bible says the Promised Land was "flowing with milk and honey." Exodus 3:8. The Lord told them they would have to fight for the land, but obviously it was worth it. There were many bad people living there and God knew they needed to be wiped out so the Israelites could have peace.
So the Israelites decide to send a certain number of people to go to the the Land and look to see what they were facing in regard to the fight. What they saw scared them so bad, they went back to the Israelites and told them they could never overpower the people in the land. They claimed there were giants and there was no way they could do this. Sadly, they missed the point that God was in control of everything, including the fight against the people in the land. Ring any bells?
So here we are, God gave them everything they asked for, or literally complained about, even though that was not what He desired for them. Wow. So God is ticked off at this point, and this is what the Bible says: "The LORD's anger was aroused that day and he swore this oath:
11 'Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old or more who came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" Whoa! After all that, the years and decades in the desert, relying on God to serve their every need, they decide not to fight, and God decides not ONE of them will enter.
Tragic. I can't even tell you how horrible that would be! To finally get to the place where you are going, after half of your life is over, HALF, and not be able to settle in? Not be able to be spoiled once again by the Lord our God? It's not just tragic, it's insanity!
This whole back story is so important because it illuminates the Word I read this morning. In Psalm 95:11 and Hebrew 4:3 the Bible says: "So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest ." What does His rest represent?
The Promised Land, His PEACE, His comfort, His blessings! Do you see it yet?
Because the Israelites complained, and feared, and worried, and tried to do things their own way, their ultimate prize...the Promised Land, the rest of God, was kept from them. Wow, thank you Lord! It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized that because of my complaining, my frustration, my bitterness, and my bad attitude, I was withholding God's rest.
I was exhausted, confused, tired, and brokenhearted all because I wasn't resting in the Lord. All I needed to do was stay present. I needed to stay in today and realize all the goodness, all the miracles, all the favor I had already received!!
God has already given me a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He has already saved me from my enemies. He already closed the gap, Jesus Christ. He has already shown and proven Himself by sustaining my life the way it is. I have everything I need today. I am being held in God's hand so tight that there is an impression of me in His palm. He knows all and sees all and is always working on my behalf.
MY job, my only job, is to trust. I have to keep the Faith...at all costs! I have to thank God for what He has already done, in hopes of what He is going to do!!
That's it. It's so simple, yet my flesh cries out when I try to do these things. That's why you have to do it until you feel it. I wanted to look ahead and complain about the bills that aren't paid, or the lack of business. But I am still here!
I am still working, and eating, and driving, and sleeping, and warm and content! God hasn't changed, and yes, my circumstances haven't changed, but I realize now, it's ok.
All I need is peace, love and joy. And in order to receive those things, I have to enter into His rest. And how do we do that? Trust, precious, trust.
Praise you Lord for your mercy and goodness!! Without you I would be a pitiful mess...but today...I am a precious mess 
The Bible says: "But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.If you keep to my path,I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23
Let's all give thanks!!
Thank you Lord, my Savior, my Conqueror, my Healer, my Strength, my Shelter, my Proud Adornment! Praise be to you, forever and ever...
Have a blessed DAY!
Cortnee
Casting Crowns Shining the Light of Jesus in North Korea
This article is a reprint from Breaking Christian News
by Aimee Herd : Jun 11, 2009 : Gary Lane – CBN News
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2009/June/Casting-Crowns-Casting-Nets-in-North-Korea/
"I knew I wasn't going to preach sermons, and I knew I wouldn't be able to share openly about my faith, but you don't necessarily preach to empty tummies. You fill tummies, and you show the love of Jesus through what you do. And after that comes those opportunities."
One of the most popular Christian bands today is Casting Crowns. Recently, CBN News caught up with frontman Mark Hall, to talk about his recent trips into North Korea, where the band was invited to perform.
The invitation came through the NGO Global Resource Services (GRS), which works inside the country helping with food distribution, agriculture, children and families.
Casting Crowns in North KoreaAccording to Hall, every other year the Friendship Arts Festival is held in Pyongyang where artists from around the world are invited to perform—not normally from America. But God "opened the doors" for Casting Crowns to not only go, but to perform their songs each containing a strong Christian message. (Photo: CBN News)
Hall said, "They had our lyrics, they had our music—if you've listened to our songs [the Christianity] is not exactly hidden—and they invited us anyway."
Hall talked about how he feels about North Korea in light of recent events including multiple missile launches and the recent arrest of two US journalists.
"For me, my prayers are really more about the people," he explained. "I've gotten asked questions like, 'How could you go to a country where all these terrible things are happening?' And all I could think was, 'How could you not go…?' It's one thing to be over here and be angry about it; it's another thing to go over with a group that's actually doing something about it.
"I knew I wasn't going to preach sermons, and I knew I wouldn't be able to share openly about my faith, but you don't necessarily preach to empty tummies. You fill tummies, and you show the love of Jesus through what you do. And after that comes those opportunities."
Mark Hall of Casting CrownsWhen asked if in preparation to going over to North Korea, the Lord spoke anything to his heart about the country, Hall replied, "Many times. When you first get there, there's a hopelessness…it's hard to describe. But we were on the 33rd, 34th floor of our hotel, and the sun was setting… I was looking out the window. I was leaning out the window, praying over the city. Every light I saw inside a building was a family—it wasn't this dark, ominous country—these were people who need Jesus. (Photo: CBN News)
"It really fills your heart, and at first you feel helpless; like you can't do anything. But, being a Believer, and knowing how big God is, I just know that I'm doing my part and I'm doing what God's called me to do. That's all we can do. We lay our burdens at His feet, and we do what we're gifted to do—what our calling is. I'm praying that God does a major work there, and I'm glad we got to be part of it."
“I AM OPENING YOUR WAY: New Wars for New Blessings!”
This article is reprinted from The Elijah List
by Chuck D. Pierce
Jun 4, 2009
Dear Radiant Ones:
You might want to print the following word from the Lord. I would encourage you to read it each day for a week. I believe the Lord is really attempting to encourage us with this revelation.
On a previous Sunday, I saw sovereign openings and opportunities coming to God's people. However, I saw many leaning on their own understanding and mixing in their own desires, which brought leanness in their souls. I then heard the Lord say:
"I am opening up a way for you. I'm causing that which was closed yesterday to be opened today. Watch carefully for your opening! You won't see all that I have for you in the beginning, but I am calling you to the other side. You must go through the opening when you see it form before you. You must make a move to go through! I have brought you to this hard place to make a move of faith. Today is your day of salvation. Move by faith and I will change the complexion of the other side where I'm sending you.
"We must work together at this time. I've been working to get the place open for you to go through, so step through and I will come and meet you on the other side. I sent the disciples forth at the right time and said, 'You cross over.' Then I came out on the water and walked to the boat. Today I say to you, 'You make the move and I'll meet you in days ahead, even in the times that seem rugged.'
"Watch for the sovereign opening that I am creating on your behalf. Be ready. Don't make a list of what you are looking for on the other side. Just step through the opening! Your present demands are hindering the development of your future. Step through by faith! You are waiting in your own strength. Step out and mount up when I send the wind. Even adverse winds can cause you to rise through and into new places of victory.
I AM not working to give you strength for where you've been. I AM working to give you strength to step through and into a place that you cannot understand. Let My place open up, and step through into it. You will be offered an opportunity."
"You Are Becoming My Weapon for Days Ahead"
"Some of you are trying to stay in the old war you've been in instead of hunting for your next war to get into. You're trying to make sure you are healed up from the wounds of the old war instead of taking all that junk you learned in the last one and say, 'Let it become my weapon in the future!' Make a shift! Make a shift! Make a shift! For you are becoming My weapon for days ahead.
"Quit looking at the wars behind and start looking at what is ahead of you. Do not be afraid of the war ahead. Most of you will not be going back the way you've come. You keep trying to find your way back even when I am saying step through and into. When the way opens up, step through it. Don't worry about going back.
"Many have even warred on the wrong side of My plan in the past season, but I am going to breathe on you and you will be transformed. Go through and into the new. You will forget the errors of the past and allegiance to the wrong side, and immediately find yourself on the correct side.
"You are anticipating the war ahead and it is creating a fear within you. What you have been through has already built within you the ability to go in and gain My victory. You are watching the resources on this side but you have not stepped into that which I have in days ahead. I will give you eyes to see how to take one and make a hundred, but I'm going to use different skills in you and I'm going to be creative with things that I have stored up.
"So step through! You are calculating with what you know you have, but I will multiply you with what you do not yet know of when you step through."
"I Have Made Your Wounds From the Last Season Your Battle Ax for the Next Season"
"The evil eye has been stalking you in the last season. My eye will be guiding you as you go forth into this new season. Your wounds from the last season are causing you to stop short of the best I have ahead for you. These wounds are stopping you from warring for your promises in the new season. I have made your wounds from the last season your battle ax for the next season. You go and I will subdue! You go through and I will subdue! This is a redeeming window.
"I am going to buy back all of what you did wrong. I am going to buy back where you've been held captive. I am going to open up a way, and when you step through you'll be hidden even from that past mess you were in. What is ahead might not be pretty or seem glorious in the beginning, but take advantage of this new opportunity and you can create the glory in the realm that I am calling you to experience.
"You've been marching in one army but I am transferring you to another. You've been marching to one beat and one drum but I am bringing a different sound and saying, 'Now MARCH!' Make your shift, and when you see the opening, go! You will be marching in a new way and I will set the course for your victory.
"I will be with you to open up supply. Let go of the supply storages from the past season that had to be sacrificed. Nothing that was sacrificed by a heart set on Me will be lost. Let go and watch a new plan for your storehouse arise. March on! New supply is on your road ahead."
Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion Ministries
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