New beginnings

Some things are so simple & obvious...

We go through the storms and we no longer can sustain them...We want a way out and we can't help but realize that this is it.

For all time, endurance can't persevere in places where joy must prevail. We are human so  we eventually feel and we know where we are. There is no holding back. Even responsibility, obligation & strength give way and we quietly yearn for something new.

We can't suppress the truth of our condition & desire. We can't hide it forever. At last, what's deeply endured and sacrificed shows itself for what it is. And if we ever choose to to ignore or deny, it exposes itself even more, clanging louder.

And so we come to this inevitable conclusion...

Some things can't be fixed because they're not meant to be. They are shattered glass.

Some things can't be changed because they must be let go off. They are new beginnings.

Limitless

God is holy and unchanging and He takes His stand on things perfectly. I have known that He is limitless and that His ways are profound. His words do not hinder His ways, His holiness is no barrier to His compassion and His covenant does not stop his justice. He desolates the world for one beloved soul, never permitting His own laws to hold them captive.  Each divine command has it's own mystery that is revealed if one looks deeper and opens their heart. Yes, to all creation there is a limit but His ways are boundless.

God breaks no vow he makes but when oppression prevails He moves swiftly destroying that which man once used Him to put together. He is a God of second chances to the weak & weary. His commands do not leave lives bound and neither does He second those who hide behind His law for when injustice conceals itself behind God's command they cause more damage than they ever could on their own.

His laws don't bind.. They fulfill each other... justice  & mercy walk hand in hand.

Never Forget What He Did For You

How hopeless & exceedingly sinful my life was. I remember the danger I was in, how close to death I had been before I'd been shown mercy.

Before you can judge someone else, look at the pit where you would be in without God's mercy. Only then can you say, "God, I know what You did for me and You can do the same for my friend who is in sin. At one time I was just as wicked in Your sight. I can't judge this friend, because You had mercy on me."

Never forget what I did for you, the incredible mercy I showed you. How many times did I dig you out of something that could have destroyed you? You wouldn't be here without My mercy. - God

Paraphrased, David Wilkerson

Young hearts

Young hearts thrive with a passion that burns like fire. What they believe in has depth and intuition. Their thoughts surpass technicality and their discernment is strong and true. Passion gives dynamics to relationship. And when this passion meets honesty there is openess... there is power, greater than any wisdom of old. Such ardor causes God to share His mysteries and truth to them through His Spirit that lives in their heart. And that is why even though they are of youth they are further and deeper than age. He shares His heart with theirs, knowing their passion and burning to simply be a soul ignited

Freedom Fighters

I don’t know where you endure or who you are, yet I know you are somewhere out there, unnoticed and undone. Even more I know we share the mysteries of the same story.

Our prisons have no walls, our fears torment us and our voices go unheard. It has become the norm to be silenced. No one will see the world through our eyes, like a bird in her cage chasing freedom in every breath. Our lives are not our own yet only we know our own bitterness.

But let us believe that there is a God out there who is a an ever present witness to our lives, a God who doesn’t let any detail go unnoticed..One who will decree justice in our favour for the times we’ve borne the pain that our minds and bodies could not comprehend nor contain.

I hope you are fighting to live that you may make it out a freedom fighter

Dated: July 3rd 2010

Love

Christ lay down his life because He calls us friend. It was not his power nor authority that led him to sacrifice. It was never His law that left him obliged. It was simply that He loved us beyond reason to go the distance. He did this that we may be liberated. He did this because that’s what love does. His love shone brightly even in our darkest night.

Promise

“I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
“For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour… . Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee"

— Isaiah 43:1-5 

He has delivered

"In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. . . . He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented [came upon] me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me" (Psalm 18:6, 16-19).

 

Forever Faithful

Savoring new found freedom, I strive to walk out of the past and what it made me. Belittled and heavy laden no longer am I. Instead He calls me beloved one, in spite of my reckless guilt and shame. Holding on to the truth that lingers, I fight the lies that I've been told along, gloom that rings loud in my mind and heart. I fight to believe that I am not what they say but what you bespoke over me. In the chaos of my failures and depravity, I still know that I am not forsaken nor given up on. Walking out of the valley, I look to the light in your kind eyes that draws me away from the voices that embitter and I gaze upon the beauty of who you are and what you have done for me.

Most Holy and sovereign , you drew dear to me in my brokenness and drew me out of deep waters and now I am redeemed by your might hands. The hands that sustained me, now delivered me unto liberty and rest. Let your truth capture me and consume every condemnation. Let me believe that I am wanted and known, that I am of worth and a woman after your own heart in spite of my darkness. I plead that my love for you has never been a facade even though my heart and flesh have failed. And Your love kept me standing as I waited for you to come, it picked up my pieces when I broke my life apart, desperate that you would rescue me. You have always been my portion.. the life in my breath, the strength of my heart. Strong tower and my Savior, I could never compare the undeserved favor you show me to what has been given by any other. You are above all.

Help me find myself again, the person you created me to me, the person made in your image. Cast away the dusk of days gone by, the wounding words of those who no longer consider me their own. Redeem the shadows of who I have become to who I should be. Give me a new song. Pardon my falling out for it has been far too deep to be understood by anyone else but me and You. It was all I ever knew.. I never meant to take away. My testimony compromised by my own unintentional actions, I am tried by those holier than I. The storm, too fierce, my strength failed and I was greatly consumed.

Make all things new. Change hearts. Give them your eyes, that they may be merciful too. Make me better, better than I've ever been, let me seek your excellence in all I do and in who I have become. Tired of unsettling comparisons and doubts, I drown in what I only imagine and think I know. Humbly I come before you and hide no frailty but praise the One who saved one who deserved less.

Thank you for knowing me as I am and as I will be. You have always known my heart. Thank you for your loving kindness even when I deserve none. A sum of my mistakes, yet you died for me. You love me even in my sin and you see the pain that brought me here. You see me in ways no other does. It is your merciful perception that caused you to deliver me for no other man would have done so. Even though you are most holy, you chose to save a sinner, while those who have fallen short would never have. How wonderful you are to love me the way you do. How just you are not to over look the hurt caused to me even though I have hurt in return. You have never given up on me though I grew weary to see you come.

Forever faithful you are.

He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me” (Psalms 18:16-19).

Our Stories

The authenticity of our stories lie in giving our characters the benefit of the doubt, respecting their reasons for every failure toward themselves, others and us. This gives our words a stand. This shows our character.. who we are and that our stories go beyond ourselves to see a higher purpose... to bring hope to those whose world collides with ours.

Accent

" ⁵ But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. ⁶ The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. ⁷ Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

Genesis 11:5-8 New International Version

It's fascinating today to look around us, this global phenomena. Technology has enabled the mind to come across so many different cultures, understand perspectives, study systems and so much more. And it is simply amazing how different we all are. It brings one to appreciate the glory of creation and almost like it gives us glimpse of magnificence. The Bible talks about a time when people were together, in fact they were so united together that everyone spoke the same language and understood each other extremely well. But then there came a time when they all came together and wanted to make a name for themselves. I find it so interesting how God responded to this and changed everyone's language.

We don't even know it, but today we have so many different languages and accents as a result of that event. Every person you pass by on the street has an accent, including yourself, and you may not even know it.

What fascinates me the most though is the fact that when the Spirit of God converses with us there is no accent, no dialect or world influence. It speaks to the very core of our being, the depth of who we are. The sacrifice of Jesus allows us to be united not only as people, but with the head of the body, Jesus, in a way we were not able to before. In that, there is conversation, motion and life. So take the opportunity to realize who He is and who you are in Him.

Explore. Experience.

Passion for Jesus

God loves fellowship: it is one of the main reasons he created us, so He may fellowship with us. Despite our imperfections since the fall, he has still maintained a relationship with us. The Creator of the world has gone out of His way to make sure we still have a chance to keep our end of the relationship through grace, even though he knew that we will still sin afterward. A lot of us would not want to invest in a relationship that would make us feel that we will be cheated out afterward. Really sucks, don't it.

But our God is Love. How can this God have it any other way? Today while I was reading the Word and thinking about all the other possiblities if Jesus wouldn't give His life for us, but then I knew he wouldn't want it any other way.

But us? Most of us are nowhere near the required level.

Since God is our role model and not people, let's love each other. Despite the short comings, despite the mistakes, despite the screw ups, despite the betrayals. You love. It's not easy, it's not supposed to be, whoever said being a follower of Jesus Christ is easy.

Love. Unconditional.

Stale

"So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." - Revelation 3:16.

"Well cold water we drink hot water we cook, But lukewarm does nothing it just sits and it looks" - New Reality, Lecrae Moore.

I don't think it's strange how some of my favorite verses come under 3:16. For a long time I had wanted to make a post in regards with this verse, but I guess I was waiting for the right time. Being a new believer most of us are filled with passion and zeal, ready to bring down the house, literally willing to proclaim the truth on the rooftops. There are very few things that can be compared to the strong desire of a new believer.

I myself had the strongest enthusiasm, to be able to change the world for the cause of the Word. I didn't care if that got me in some pretty sticky situations. However, after a while sometimes I found this enthusiasm go down. The sad part is, the same is the case with many Christians. They lose the zeal to serve God.

The reason why different people lose the desire and passion of servant hood before God, is of not having the sincere relationship with God you had a one point. How this plays out in your life, that is every individual story.

Sometimes we may grow too "smart" for who we used to be, it's so easy to keep altering who we are in this rapidly changing world. So easy to get sidetracked by the bright lights at the shore. The stories that made a difference in your life and changed who you were into a renewed self, may not mean anything to you anymore.

But the truth is, it was never about that story, circumstance, or situation. It was about God reaching out and us accepting that relationship. It is so important for us to realize who we are in the Lord, for us to not lose focus. Somewhere in all the commotion and noise and commotion of the world, we have forgotten our true identities. That will come back only through a continual renewal of the commitment you have made in God.

You can't be lukewarm. Or you will be spit out. No twist, no turns, no gimmicks attached. Very plain and simple.

Live. Experience Holy Fire.

-Aneel

Magnitude

A true leader is one who can stand in the face of a problem, know it's magnitude, and still trust in God to take control.

Sometimes the heavy weight of our lives is so big that everything else fades away. I've got into trouble more times than I can count and every time that I do get into trouble my problem seems like the biggest problem in the world, no matter how many people are starving to death, no matter how many people are being taken advantage of and no matter how many people are dying from the sickness, that is sin. I hate it when I'm so selfish to forget the magnitude of the responsibility that I have in my life.

We are just far too carried away in our own lives. It's like we are stuck in an illusion to ignore everything else, somehow this illusion has put all of us in the centre of the universe. In fact it is somehow human nature to believe that we are in the centre of the universe. That's just the way our minds think. Pride and vanity may not be the same thing, but are somehow very closely related, it corrupts the way our minds are working.

God is of immense magnitude, there is nothing that is bigger than him. How can you be covered by the magnifience of this God and worry about your own little problems? You can't man!

God the most supreme being, reached out to His people and He expects us to be the same. He showed us how to live through His Son. How he lived in humility, lived for others and understood the magnitude of things.

Your place in the world does make a big difference, so don't limit yourself to your problems to your struggles.

Realize that Magnitude of God is limitless.

Endure

Music is one of the many beautiful things that I have had the privilege to experience in this life. God has been gracious enough to bless us with the awesomeness of such a magnificent gift that stirs our very spirits.

For quite sometime I have wanted to write about hardship and struggle. However, very recently I felt led in the spirit to write about endurance. The reason I love to write is more than half the time I don't have any idea what I'm going to even end up with which makes it much more like a journey. Very similar to the journey that we are going through today, tomorrow and for the rest of the days that God wishes us to be here.

One of my new favorite songs has a line that keeps ringing in my head:

His love endures forever...

Usually one wouldn't even takes time to think about the meaning. Sometimes we take the liberty of just reading or listening and not going into the depth of the meaning. Endurance sometimes to me is like rubbing sandpaper on my skin and me not saying a word.

Every time we sin we hurt God more than we can imagine, I'm talking about even "little sins" but the word of God says:

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

God has a loving, forgiving hear, t man. He is the most awesome guy I know. He loves so us so much that he sacrificed his son.

How can you not love this God. Why won't we stop complaining about our lives and see the blessings He has given us. Why can't man up (or woman up), and live to learn. Learn to endure and grow stronger, we believe in a God who is ready to endure, why do we complain when we have to endure to glorify the name of God and bring pain to our flesh.

May the God of ages reign in our lives.

The great odessey

Along this journey of life, we halt at the valleys and mountain tops.. We have moments that we least expect.. moments that we wish wouldn't occur for the fear of them being too lovely that we won't have the heart to resume our journey.. These are moments that gladden our hearts and bring liberty to our spirit. They are like vacation spots that take us away from the routines and allow us to just be.

Yet instead of keeping ourselves from receiving such timely moments we might as well embrace them for what their worth in a time we are in. Perhaps these moments give us hope & strength to pursue the rest of journey through. Maybe these moments make us feel the way we've only dreamed of. And perhaps these are gifts from above to put a smile on our face and bring a song to our soul..

Some stop overs can't be described..

And if these moments were to be our life without the long journey, I wonder if perhaps we would take them for granted..I guess these stop overs are much appreciated because they shine light in the void of our great odyssey. Taken by surprise, we let our hearts go to experience that which we held back n be enlightened enough to make it through.

So when you're on that stop over, you see what you've forgotten.. what you left behind at the back of your mind...

Sometimes we are afraid to embrace the good..the lovely not because they won't be good enough but just cause they might be too good to be true.

QUOTE

Our decisions and judgments can longer depend on the experience of the past but must totally be led by God even if our flesh thinks otherwise.

LEADER'S PERSPECTIVE

Rebuilding our church, means understanding the state of where those who serve with us are at through the power of the Spirit. It means digging deep into what our stewards truly think of their Church and know where we have fallen short to serve and nurture them. It may even mean surprising them with our passion to pursue them in spite of their doubts in our authority and love.

PSALM 20

Psalm 20

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

² May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.

³ May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
Selah

⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

⁵ We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

⁶ Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

⁹ O LORD, ..
Answer us when we call!

To see Your Face

God in you is my delight.. You are my friend, my hidden treasure, my anchor in storms. And you are my shield, my pride, my glory. It is You who lifts my head up high..

In peace you let me lie down n sleep for you alone, make me dwell in refuge. In the morning you hear my voice, you answer my call. You have surrounded me with your favor and you never forsake me when I seek you. You have counseled me, instructed me and in the day of my disaster you were my support. You were the light through my darkness who kept my lamp burning and your help has made me great. You hide me in the shadow of your wings.

So, I will always keep my eyes on you for with you at my right hand I will not be shaken.. My desire is that I may see your face. And when I awake I shall surely be satisfied with seeing Your likeness.

The words of David in a true record of my own.