Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Woah, have I been drinking in a lot of revelation of late. My pastor has been speaking on mastering transitions. What I've learned is that change is necessary and it is painful because it is the birthing of something new. Giving birth to something is never a pleasant experience, and we are so happy when it is over.
The pastor outlined the stages of transition by following the story of Joseph. Joseph had a vision of where he would ultimately fulfill his destiny, but he had to go through: the revelation, the process, and then the promotion.
He reminded us that we often abort our dreams during the process. We are so unwilling to suffer anything. The seasons of life begin with change just like the natural seasons. But, when things start to change we can either fight or rest in God. Sometimes fighting the process makes it longer. And sometimes we pray to be taken out of it and we are, but then the character needed for that promotion is not perfected in us.
Sometimes we choose our own way, this results in premature promotion, Ishmaels (dreams that resemble the promise of God but bring sorrow). Without the right character we ruin lives. He reminded us that Joseph probably would not have chosen to be thrown in a pit, sold into slavery, accused of rape, and locked up in prision in order to be promoted. When we choose the way that looks good to us, we end up like Lot (in need of rescue). The patience to endure hardship, the ability to let go of people and things, and the faith to believe that God will fulfill His promise in time ensure us victory.
Also not knowing where we are in our seasons causes such frustration, so we are to ask God what He's perfecting in us at the moment.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Time, Destiny, and Dreams
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Training Wheels
This is extremely funny to me. I started planning to write this post probably two weeks ago, but it's good, it's okay. It's been marinating so it will be good. So about two weeks ago God posed a very good question to me, in fact the pastor posed a similar question to all the members tonight.
He asked, when was the last time you led someone to Christ.
But, let tell you what God revealed. He explained that church meetings were training grounds. One is supposed to get training and teaching at the church and go out and change a city. God asked me, "What happens when the training wheels come off?" He caused me to examine my life, and I realized that without another Christian being present with me, my morals were pretty poor and my testimony of Him was not that great either.
So all of this was for us to realize how dysfunctional many churches have become, because there is no work outside the walls. After we have vacuumed, swept, and dusted the walls what work is there left to do?
Ezekiel 3:15
Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelled by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
聖經 Chinese Bible: Union (Traditional)
我 就 來 到 提 勒 亞 畢 ， 住 在 迦 巴 魯 河 邊 被 擄 的 人 那 裡 ， 到 他 們 所 住 的 地 方 ， 在 他 們 中 間 憂 憂 悶 悶 地 坐 了 七 日 。
My pastor went into detail about all Jesus risked (reputation wise) by talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, but He felt compelled to go there. To been in a meeting place of sinners. The pastor compared it to the "street corner" on the city block.
I was also meditating on Matthew 7:6 today.
Give not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
I had to know who the dog were, and after a little bit of study I discovered the dogs are people that are either self-righteous (thinking that they are holy of themselves and their deeds) or those that have heard the Truth of the Gospel and rejected it. Haters of God, men that love evil, those that will curse you and spit in your face when you tell them that Jesus loves them.
There are so many more that are thirsty for the Living Water like the Samaritan woman. It is not fit to waste your energy on the ones that are angry with life, God, the government, etc.
