Eccesiates 3:14 "And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God's purpose in this is that people should fear him."
The story was told of a modern missionary of our times that waited promptly before the Lord for Him to reveal to him who God's choice of wife was. Many good ladies, who feared the Lord had shown interest in him, but he continued to wait for the Lord to show him. Finally, after the long wait, the Lord revealed to him who his wife was, at a missionary conference.
Concurrently, the Lord revealed to the lady, that this man was to be her husband. After the brief meeting at the conference, in a span of 3 weeks, both were engaged to be married.
After the engagement, this man had to return to Afghanistan to continue to Lord's work there, and while he was away, the lady went for a checkup and realised that she will never be able to conceive a child.
It was devastating news, and the lady, out of love for the man, decided and sent news that she will not marry him.
As faith believing Christians, many of us will choose, if in the position of the man, to pray and believe that God will heal the lady. The man did, but in one of the prayer sessions, he paused and asked the Lord a critical quesion. A question I believe that came out of his fear for the Lord. He asked the Lord "Lord, please reveal what Your plans are to me"
Did the Lord answer the prayer? You sure bet. He said "My son, My purpose is that you demonstrate your love for this woman, as a testimony to the world, of how I love the church. Even if this woman cannot give you a child that you so desire, you are to love her nonetheless; just as I love the church nonetheless."
The man arise, obeyed, and married the woman. Both have been instrumental in feeding thousands of poor around this part of the world. It's been 20 years, and they remain childless.
Many a times, when faced with situations, we do not pause and seek His will out of fear of Him. Instead of asking "What Lord?", we ask "Why Lord?"
"Why" causes us to go down the path of seeking the reason/power to change the situation. "What" causes us to tap on His supernatural understanding to know His will and flow with it. "Why" does not bear fruits. "What" does.
The story that I told above, is a true story of a great man and woman I had the privilege of knowing through my previous work. Spiritual children, should anything happen to us, we would like you to never ask "Why" but to rise up to ask God "What". We would like you to look far in the vision, and seek Him.
Saturday, 30 June 2007
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Looking Far - Connecting with "Drinking Deep"
Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, He will be planted like a tree by the water..."
I've always been a "dreams" person. I recall growing up, Secondary School days, dreaming of becoming a world class ballerina or a superstar singer in Taiwan. (It's another story altogether, about Hope's journeys on the dreams mentioned). Point that I want to share, is that alot of times, our dreams and visions (looking far) reveals our values (going deep).
Give an illustration - I once told a very Godly pastor that I dreamt of opening up an orphanage in China, by myself doing "God's work". The pastor was very sharp to have pointed that what is of greater value, is to serve the Church, such that in playing my role in the larger community, God's hands can move in a greater way to bless the nations. Nothing wrong with my dream, nothing against serving the Church, but what the pastor pointed out, was a drastic value difference.
Then, my values were "what I can do, what I can accomplish" vs "who can I serve, what roles can I play in the larger part of God's kingdoms". My view was small then, thinking all about my talents, my passions... and me. The other view, requires you to see God's kingdom, God's community, God's instruments. Different views, though both in essence are serving the poor.
Therein my point, that alot of times, the reasons that we cannot see God's perspectives (or vision), is because we are stuck on the "I, me and myself" value. We cannot have a greater vision of and for the Lord, because all we harp on, are the values that reads "That's not me, I'm not like that.." or "That's what I want to do, that's my strength" etc.
Don't misquote me, I am not against passionate pursuits and personality traits that God has created. My whole point is this:
In order to become a huge tree (vision), we need to have deep roots (values).
Then what you will see, will become clearer and clearer, when your values are more and more Christ-like. :)
I've always been a "dreams" person. I recall growing up, Secondary School days, dreaming of becoming a world class ballerina or a superstar singer in Taiwan. (It's another story altogether, about Hope's journeys on the dreams mentioned). Point that I want to share, is that alot of times, our dreams and visions (looking far) reveals our values (going deep).
Give an illustration - I once told a very Godly pastor that I dreamt of opening up an orphanage in China, by myself doing "God's work". The pastor was very sharp to have pointed that what is of greater value, is to serve the Church, such that in playing my role in the larger community, God's hands can move in a greater way to bless the nations. Nothing wrong with my dream, nothing against serving the Church, but what the pastor pointed out, was a drastic value difference.
Then, my values were "what I can do, what I can accomplish" vs "who can I serve, what roles can I play in the larger part of God's kingdoms". My view was small then, thinking all about my talents, my passions... and me. The other view, requires you to see God's kingdom, God's community, God's instruments. Different views, though both in essence are serving the poor.
Therein my point, that alot of times, the reasons that we cannot see God's perspectives (or vision), is because we are stuck on the "I, me and myself" value. We cannot have a greater vision of and for the Lord, because all we harp on, are the values that reads "That's not me, I'm not like that.." or "That's what I want to do, that's my strength" etc.
Don't misquote me, I am not against passionate pursuits and personality traits that God has created. My whole point is this:
In order to become a huge tree (vision), we need to have deep roots (values).
Then what you will see, will become clearer and clearer, when your values are more and more Christ-like. :)
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Looking Far - Investing in the Next Generation
Psalm 71:18 "Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who come."
I love this verse from the bible. It encompassed all that I uphold and believed in. If I had any strength at all, I'd like to delare the power to the next generation. It speaks of my desire, my passion, my faith and desperation in the Spirit towards the Lord to use me for His purposes for the future generations.
When I see a person, I see potential. I see weakness, I see the sin, the strife, and the pain. Yet, I also see the grace of God, His goodness and sometimes, when God wants me to walk through with this person, I see the probable journeys, the misses, the falls, the conflicts, the angers, the wrestles he'll have with me or the Lord.
The Lord has also taught me to see with regards to myself. I used to be awfully bothered by what people think and say of me, but of recent, I've learnt to set the course straight before the Lord. I come before Him and know clearly "Lord, I want you to say - I've been faithful." Seeing that for myself have set me free from many traps and snares that otherwise, could have gotten me.
In every youth and young adult that the Lord has placed in my life, from when I started my ministry 10 years ago, He's trained me to see who this person will become in accordance to the will of God. I will see this person marrying a man/woman of God, breaking through, his/her entire Spirit changed and also, on his/her marriage day, declare to the world that God is so good is his/her life. I hold on to the power of the vision dearly, and pray God surface and deal with every single sin and hindrance of his/her life till the full potential/Glory of God for this person comes to pass.
Some people say an eye for detail needs to be trained. Yes, it's great to have that eye for detail for certain jobs.But ask me, I would rather ask the Lord to continously, give me an eye to see what He sees. What He sees of me, of the world, of the people around me. No deception for me, Lord. I want to see!
I love this verse from the bible. It encompassed all that I uphold and believed in. If I had any strength at all, I'd like to delare the power to the next generation. It speaks of my desire, my passion, my faith and desperation in the Spirit towards the Lord to use me for His purposes for the future generations.
When I see a person, I see potential. I see weakness, I see the sin, the strife, and the pain. Yet, I also see the grace of God, His goodness and sometimes, when God wants me to walk through with this person, I see the probable journeys, the misses, the falls, the conflicts, the angers, the wrestles he'll have with me or the Lord.
The Lord has also taught me to see with regards to myself. I used to be awfully bothered by what people think and say of me, but of recent, I've learnt to set the course straight before the Lord. I come before Him and know clearly "Lord, I want you to say - I've been faithful." Seeing that for myself have set me free from many traps and snares that otherwise, could have gotten me.
In every youth and young adult that the Lord has placed in my life, from when I started my ministry 10 years ago, He's trained me to see who this person will become in accordance to the will of God. I will see this person marrying a man/woman of God, breaking through, his/her entire Spirit changed and also, on his/her marriage day, declare to the world that God is so good is his/her life. I hold on to the power of the vision dearly, and pray God surface and deal with every single sin and hindrance of his/her life till the full potential/Glory of God for this person comes to pass.
Some people say an eye for detail needs to be trained. Yes, it's great to have that eye for detail for certain jobs.But ask me, I would rather ask the Lord to continously, give me an eye to see what He sees. What He sees of me, of the world, of the people around me. No deception for me, Lord. I want to see!
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Identify & Equip Your 12
By: Pastor Claudia Castellanos
A leader’s success or failure is determined by the company they keep, I can testify that this is a fact. Those who form part of a G12 group have the ability to empower or destroy us. Some individuals will never meet their goals in spite of the fact that we invest time in them. When we evaluate how we are doing with our goals we discover that these ones have detained the entire group’s growth,
Although everyone who is under a ministry receives the same teaching, some grow rapidly while others may have numerous arguments against them which impede them from fulfilling their call. Every pastor desires their leaders to be successful, but there are some that grow a rapid rate while others in the group stay stagnate. For this reason you must continually be asking yourself: Do I have a strategy that will ensure that my disciples will be successful? Are my disciples experiencing true growth? Are they helping me carry the ministry load or are they simply spectators?
Henry Ford, the renowned American businessman, once said: “You can take my plants and burn down my buildings. But give me my staff and my business will resume to function in perfect working order.” Church is founded on leadership, church life is dependant on how equipped we are as leaders. If you desire to have a great congregation, if you want to have an ample vision you need many leaders and the pastor must dedicate themselves to that specific goal – that is the key.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s success as a great political leader was due to the fact that he devoted himself to know his men’s needs, he then proceeded to do everything in his power to help them attain what they wanted. This is the reason why his army was faithful to the end. Your primary purpose and great challenge as a leader of a G12 group (the first thing that you must do) is to personally get to know your disciples needs. If they are going through family crisis you must counsel them, if they are dealing with childhood traumas minister inner healing and deliverance to them. If necessary, help them meet their financial needs. Whatever they need, you must be willing and available to help them meet it. The majority of them are in dire need of a word of faith and hope; once they receive that word it becomes the saving grace for their lives. As you are conforming your G12 group it is vital that you be a leader with vision. Everyone that walks into a church has a sleuth of problems, no one is perfect but we are to walk them through the perfecting process which is the main objective in their formation.
When you are forming your team you must do as Michelangelo did. While he was sculpting his masterpiece David (IN SPANISH IT SAYS MOISES WHICH IS INCORRECT) someone asked him how he did it, and his response was: “The sculpture was always in the stone, all I had to do was carve it” He had envisioned and seen more than a mere piece of rock. Something similar is what must occur when the Lord brings those individuals that are to be part of our group, we should not focus on the bitterness, pain, need, lack or the countless problems they have – we must see them through the eyes of faith as the great servants of God that they will one day become that are Holy Spirit filled and will enrich God’s work.
You must also ask the Lord to bring you disciples that have a right spirit and servant’s heart that will be loyal at all times and have a heart than can be molded and that they have integrity.
The night before Jesus chose His twelve disciples, He spent the entire night in prayer, and He then proceeded to integrate them as part of His team. The best way for you to complete your G12 group is by first moving God’s hand in prayer, so that He will be the one to bring them to us and that He also opens our spiritual eyes so that we will be able to identify them. This will enable us to be assured that the time we dedicate to them will be a profitable investment which will produce a great harvest in ministry.
A leader’s success or failure is determined by the company they keep, I can testify that this is a fact. Those who form part of a G12 group have the ability to empower or destroy us. Some individuals will never meet their goals in spite of the fact that we invest time in them. When we evaluate how we are doing with our goals we discover that these ones have detained the entire group’s growth,
Although everyone who is under a ministry receives the same teaching, some grow rapidly while others may have numerous arguments against them which impede them from fulfilling their call. Every pastor desires their leaders to be successful, but there are some that grow a rapid rate while others in the group stay stagnate. For this reason you must continually be asking yourself: Do I have a strategy that will ensure that my disciples will be successful? Are my disciples experiencing true growth? Are they helping me carry the ministry load or are they simply spectators?
Henry Ford, the renowned American businessman, once said: “You can take my plants and burn down my buildings. But give me my staff and my business will resume to function in perfect working order.” Church is founded on leadership, church life is dependant on how equipped we are as leaders. If you desire to have a great congregation, if you want to have an ample vision you need many leaders and the pastor must dedicate themselves to that specific goal – that is the key.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s success as a great political leader was due to the fact that he devoted himself to know his men’s needs, he then proceeded to do everything in his power to help them attain what they wanted. This is the reason why his army was faithful to the end. Your primary purpose and great challenge as a leader of a G12 group (the first thing that you must do) is to personally get to know your disciples needs. If they are going through family crisis you must counsel them, if they are dealing with childhood traumas minister inner healing and deliverance to them. If necessary, help them meet their financial needs. Whatever they need, you must be willing and available to help them meet it. The majority of them are in dire need of a word of faith and hope; once they receive that word it becomes the saving grace for their lives. As you are conforming your G12 group it is vital that you be a leader with vision. Everyone that walks into a church has a sleuth of problems, no one is perfect but we are to walk them through the perfecting process which is the main objective in their formation.
When you are forming your team you must do as Michelangelo did. While he was sculpting his masterpiece David (IN SPANISH IT SAYS MOISES WHICH IS INCORRECT) someone asked him how he did it, and his response was: “The sculpture was always in the stone, all I had to do was carve it” He had envisioned and seen more than a mere piece of rock. Something similar is what must occur when the Lord brings those individuals that are to be part of our group, we should not focus on the bitterness, pain, need, lack or the countless problems they have – we must see them through the eyes of faith as the great servants of God that they will one day become that are Holy Spirit filled and will enrich God’s work.
You must also ask the Lord to bring you disciples that have a right spirit and servant’s heart that will be loyal at all times and have a heart than can be molded and that they have integrity.
The night before Jesus chose His twelve disciples, He spent the entire night in prayer, and He then proceeded to integrate them as part of His team. The best way for you to complete your G12 group is by first moving God’s hand in prayer, so that He will be the one to bring them to us and that He also opens our spiritual eyes so that we will be able to identify them. This will enable us to be assured that the time we dedicate to them will be a profitable investment which will produce a great harvest in ministry.
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Joyce Hope's Sharing - The Battle with the Flesh
I'm very thankful that God's training method for my ministry is really, using my own life's battles. My own desperate need to be set free, drove me to God.
Growing up in a slightly dysfunctional family (emotionally), I've always been familiar with anger. Situations that I prayed against (I knew God young, and I also knew His will is for me to have a peaceful family filled with His love) kept occuring again and again. I was always the one that was at the brunt of things yet nobody listened to me. I was helpless and the whole situation spinned out of control. I grew angry, and because I wanted the situation to go my way, I was desperate to have something in my hands that I could control the situation with.
I told God "If You don't answer my prayer, I'm going to backslide!" That's when another flesh grew too - Wrath (Punishment, wanting the other person to pay for my anger)
Later on, in another occassion, I told my ex-BF "If you don't get back with me, I'll slash my wrist before your eyes now!" (That explains the 2 scars on the back of my left wrist)
God has since shown me grace, I've learnt to repent and daily, crucify myself and walk in victory in His cross. But of late, this flesh started to come back again. (Clue: Brunt of it is my husband!) All when I began to teach on "The Adversary".
I can emphathise with myself, and say that its my background, family and past that resulted in this flesh more difficult to overcome. I can also give myself excuses that its' cos I'm teaching on this topic, this Flesh enemy is giving me problems to distract me. I think these are reasonable and to much extent, real reasons.
But I've learnt, in battles, no mercy should be shown to the enemy. Sincerity, transparency are all good virtues to show in relationships. (And accountability) But with the enemy? No. Only the truth sets us free. Only crucifying the flesh and appropriating by faith Jesus's work on the cross consistently and daily, gives us continual, moments by moments victory.
There will be some flesh that are so deep, it seems, it's harder to battle. Don't let your knowledge of your past get the better of you. Truth is- It's the truth that will set you free. Jesus commanded us to "Lay down your life, and carry the cross daily" Laying down = Crucifying your flesh. And Carrying the Cross = Claiming the Victory of the Cross. That's all you need to do. After all, everything was already done on the cross. This battle is definitely won!
Growing up in a slightly dysfunctional family (emotionally), I've always been familiar with anger. Situations that I prayed against (I knew God young, and I also knew His will is for me to have a peaceful family filled with His love) kept occuring again and again. I was always the one that was at the brunt of things yet nobody listened to me. I was helpless and the whole situation spinned out of control. I grew angry, and because I wanted the situation to go my way, I was desperate to have something in my hands that I could control the situation with.
I told God "If You don't answer my prayer, I'm going to backslide!" That's when another flesh grew too - Wrath (Punishment, wanting the other person to pay for my anger)
Later on, in another occassion, I told my ex-BF "If you don't get back with me, I'll slash my wrist before your eyes now!" (That explains the 2 scars on the back of my left wrist)
God has since shown me grace, I've learnt to repent and daily, crucify myself and walk in victory in His cross. But of late, this flesh started to come back again. (Clue: Brunt of it is my husband!) All when I began to teach on "The Adversary".
I can emphathise with myself, and say that its my background, family and past that resulted in this flesh more difficult to overcome. I can also give myself excuses that its' cos I'm teaching on this topic, this Flesh enemy is giving me problems to distract me. I think these are reasonable and to much extent, real reasons.
But I've learnt, in battles, no mercy should be shown to the enemy. Sincerity, transparency are all good virtues to show in relationships. (And accountability) But with the enemy? No. Only the truth sets us free. Only crucifying the flesh and appropriating by faith Jesus's work on the cross consistently and daily, gives us continual, moments by moments victory.
There will be some flesh that are so deep, it seems, it's harder to battle. Don't let your knowledge of your past get the better of you. Truth is- It's the truth that will set you free. Jesus commanded us to "Lay down your life, and carry the cross daily" Laying down = Crucifying your flesh. And Carrying the Cross = Claiming the Victory of the Cross. That's all you need to do. After all, everything was already done on the cross. This battle is definitely won!
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Drink Deep- From Sinful Flesh to Fruits of the Spirit!
Romans 7:15-25
Paul, the great apostle of modern church times, confessed the following (The Living Bible)
"I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't. I do what I don't want to - what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. But I can't help myself, because I'm no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things.
I know I am rotten through and through as far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can't make myself do right. I want to but I can't. When I want to do good, I don't, and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. Now if I am doing what I don't want to, it is plain where the trouble is: still still has me in it's evil grasp.
It seems to be a fact of life when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love to do God's will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is sitll wiithin me. In my mind, I want to be God's willing servant but instead, I find myself enslaved to sin.
So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh what a terrible predicament I'm in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done in Jesus Christ! He has set me free."
If I where to tell you this was taken from the Diary of anyone of my disciples, would you believe it? I'm sure you would. It is the Christians that are really following Christ, not the Pagans or the half -hearted Christians, that experience the war of of their flesh against the Spirit. It is the Christians who understand the extent of their sinfulness (the sinful nature), that understand the extend of what it means for God to die on the cross. These are sober-minded people, who know that apart from the Cross, everything that they build upon is meaningless. They do not lust after the things of the world, nor strife in pride, to build upon their flesh. They live, minding their business and doing the work of God, with full awareness of the war against their flesh, claiming the victory of the Cross in their lives.
God can only use a man that is filled with the Spirit. And order to be filled, we need to take up the cross daily, and wage war against our very flesh. Many times, our greatest adversary is not Satan, but our old nature! Let's take this whole season to go deep - Crucifying the Flesh, and Move in the Spirit!
Paul, the great apostle of modern church times, confessed the following (The Living Bible)
"I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't. I do what I don't want to - what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. But I can't help myself, because I'm no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things.
I know I am rotten through and through as far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can't make myself do right. I want to but I can't. When I want to do good, I don't, and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. Now if I am doing what I don't want to, it is plain where the trouble is: still still has me in it's evil grasp.
It seems to be a fact of life when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love to do God's will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is sitll wiithin me. In my mind, I want to be God's willing servant but instead, I find myself enslaved to sin.
So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh what a terrible predicament I'm in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done in Jesus Christ! He has set me free."
If I where to tell you this was taken from the Diary of anyone of my disciples, would you believe it? I'm sure you would. It is the Christians that are really following Christ, not the Pagans or the half -hearted Christians, that experience the war of of their flesh against the Spirit. It is the Christians who understand the extent of their sinfulness (the sinful nature), that understand the extend of what it means for God to die on the cross. These are sober-minded people, who know that apart from the Cross, everything that they build upon is meaningless. They do not lust after the things of the world, nor strife in pride, to build upon their flesh. They live, minding their business and doing the work of God, with full awareness of the war against their flesh, claiming the victory of the Cross in their lives.
God can only use a man that is filled with the Spirit. And order to be filled, we need to take up the cross daily, and wage war against our very flesh. Many times, our greatest adversary is not Satan, but our old nature! Let's take this whole season to go deep - Crucifying the Flesh, and Move in the Spirit!
Thursday, 22 February 2007
Joyce Hope's Sharing- Before He can use us Powerfully, He will test us Deeply
It's been an interesting near 2 months, since Senior Pastor, under the Lord's leadership, led the church into a season of "Going Deep". I've been conscious, and faithfully praying for the Lord to renew and teach me, through every situation and every circumstance.
And Lo and Behold, since the beginning of the year, many things have happened. I was hospitalised with scares here and there on my health; I see many imperfections and discouraging things in my own sheep (Just being real here) I found myself discouraged, exhausted, spent.
That drove me to seek the Lord.
In my quite moments with the Lord, I saw this vision. My father eats "Quaker Oatmeal", and they come in tin cans (Like your Nestle Milk) as well as packets, which you can refill into the tin cans. Whenever the time comes for Dad to refill the tin, he'll pour a quarter into the tin can, then shake the tin to let the oats settle, then pour in some more, then shake and hit the tin again. The process repeats till the whole packet goes into the tin- filled to the brim, and compact. Growing up, I've helped Dad fill the tin a couple of times, I've learnt that you need to be "merciless" in shaking and hitting the tin, to let the oats settle, so that you can pour more in. No shake, no oats!
Hebrews 12:26-27
God will shake, whatever that can be shaken, be prepared, He will shake it. Why? Like the Quaker Oats illustration, shaking helps to bring the oats nearer to the base of the tin. Parallel with humans, shaking brings us closer to our foundations - Christ.
I find myself asking this question of late - "Is Christ sufficient for me?" I pray constantly, daily that I can say, with full conviction what Smith Wigglesworth said "I have all, when I have Jesus."
Is God shaking you of late? Have you drawn closer to your foundation? Or are you resisting the shake?
Before He can use us Powerfully, He will test us Deeply!
And Lo and Behold, since the beginning of the year, many things have happened. I was hospitalised with scares here and there on my health; I see many imperfections and discouraging things in my own sheep (Just being real here) I found myself discouraged, exhausted, spent.
That drove me to seek the Lord.
In my quite moments with the Lord, I saw this vision. My father eats "Quaker Oatmeal", and they come in tin cans (Like your Nestle Milk) as well as packets, which you can refill into the tin cans. Whenever the time comes for Dad to refill the tin, he'll pour a quarter into the tin can, then shake the tin to let the oats settle, then pour in some more, then shake and hit the tin again. The process repeats till the whole packet goes into the tin- filled to the brim, and compact. Growing up, I've helped Dad fill the tin a couple of times, I've learnt that you need to be "merciless" in shaking and hitting the tin, to let the oats settle, so that you can pour more in. No shake, no oats!
Hebrews 12:26-27
God will shake, whatever that can be shaken, be prepared, He will shake it. Why? Like the Quaker Oats illustration, shaking helps to bring the oats nearer to the base of the tin. Parallel with humans, shaking brings us closer to our foundations - Christ.
I find myself asking this question of late - "Is Christ sufficient for me?" I pray constantly, daily that I can say, with full conviction what Smith Wigglesworth said "I have all, when I have Jesus."
Is God shaking you of late? Have you drawn closer to your foundation? Or are you resisting the shake?
Before He can use us Powerfully, He will test us Deeply!
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