Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
^Matthew 10:16
12/14/2010
12/11/2010
George Müller.
growing up, i loved the stories of faith that i read about a man - who lived in england- and cared for 10,024 orphans. this same man opened 117 schools that brought Christian education to over 120,000 children. he never made requests for financial support, nor did he go into debt; and still God allowed millions of dollars (equicalent of $150 M) to pass through his hands. through his prayer and example hundreds of thousands were led to the Lord, and he lived to be ninety-three years old. what was his 'key' to success? what brought this unwavering faith and security that drove away the fear and stress he probably could have been under?
^Phillipians 3:7-9
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him,"
Mr. Müller's faith in God was strengthened each day and he spent hours in prayer and Bible reading; and, in his later years, he read the entire Bible, cover to cover, four times every year. his prayer was 'legendary', and there are countless stories of modern day miracles, present day examples of God's strength. he prayed about anything and everything - and - expected each prayer to be answered. this courage was not out of pride or false trust, but of faith. it wasn't of a spoiled son who asked for what he wanted, but of a servant who's desires were exactly like his Master's. one who knew His heart well.
when he was asked about his faith, he said:
"I was converted in November of 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, to love of position was gone, and the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, god alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, and exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing that which you have taken up irrespectively of God? I read a little of the scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say God is an infinitely lovely Bing!" [Man of Faith and Miracles by Basil Miller]
may i always surrender like that. may i always prefer Him. and may i always be a woman of prayer.
when asked about prayer: here are some of the things he said....
"I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
"Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impressions. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
"I seek the will of the Spirit of God through or in connection with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also.
"Next I take into account providential circumstances. These plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
"I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
"Thus through prayer to God, the study of the Word and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters and transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective."
^Phillipians 3:7-9
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him,"
Mr. Müller's faith in God was strengthened each day and he spent hours in prayer and Bible reading; and, in his later years, he read the entire Bible, cover to cover, four times every year. his prayer was 'legendary', and there are countless stories of modern day miracles, present day examples of God's strength. he prayed about anything and everything - and - expected each prayer to be answered. this courage was not out of pride or false trust, but of faith. it wasn't of a spoiled son who asked for what he wanted, but of a servant who's desires were exactly like his Master's. one who knew His heart well.
when he was asked about his faith, he said:
"I was converted in November of 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, to love of position was gone, and the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, god alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, and exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing that which you have taken up irrespectively of God? I read a little of the scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say God is an infinitely lovely Bing!" [Man of Faith and Miracles by Basil Miller]
may i always surrender like that. may i always prefer Him. and may i always be a woman of prayer.
when asked about prayer: here are some of the things he said....
"I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
"Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impressions. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
"I seek the will of the Spirit of God through or in connection with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also.
"Next I take into account providential circumstances. These plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
"I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
"Thus through prayer to God, the study of the Word and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters and transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective."
11/30/2010
My Father.
My Father.
today is my dad's birthday. he was born exactly 48 years ago. i always love how he is almost exactly 30 years older than i am (because i never have to think twice to remember how many wise years he owns).
i have an amazing papa - and i have come to repect and admire him a whole bunch. i can easily fill a book with all that he has taught me, his funny quirks, and his life experiences (and one day, maybe i will); but right now, i think i will just boast (or brag) a little with all this pride i feel. =)
my father loves God. he loves Him with all his heart, and you can tell when you watch him pray. you can also see it when he worships (often singing off key). ;) one day i want to capture that look, but many times it seems so reverent and too special to interrupt with the sound of a shutter.
my dad is a teacher. when 'my old man' (no offense!) has a passion for something, i want to be the first one to sit down and learn what he hast to say! if there were 2 words that would be his 'soundtrack'.....so to say....it would be Carpe Diem. seize the day. i was taught that seizing today starts with glorifying God, then is closly followed up with how i relate to my family, my friends, and even total strangers.
my papa is handsome! (...notice the exclamation point) and he is almost all mine. =D You see, i have to share him with 2 other girls here. Well - technically - he's my mom's. but she has to share....a little bit.
i can easily to on and on about his amazing adjectives. i feel so luck to be a daughter to a really amazing guy! i get to have my inbox filled an amazing quote, and i also get to see him serve on a regular basis. i get to be the one doubling over in laughter because of an impromptu song, and i also get to see him when he is grumpy with bed hair. ;) all in all = i am so thankful!
i pray that i grow to be as patient, funny, smart, creative, discerning, tactful, and as much of a leader as him. Gary Anthony Wayne. MY dad.
here is an email that he sent this month....so you all get to be inspired - in his own words. ;D enjoy!
~~~~
"Great minds have purpose, others have wishes." -- Washington Irving, American Author
Gang,
Do you think you have “purpose” in your life? Do you have “wishes” that you hope will come true someday?
Ask yourself the following questions: “Am I living my life with purpose – actually intentionally living with certain actions & behaviors that I am in control of? Or am I living my life more as a general floating around without my direct control with hopes & wishes that might become reality some day if I get lucky?
Most of the world lives within the realm of the second question above. God wants us to live our lives each & every day with a “yes” answer to the first question above. We have the choice as to the mindset we want to implement – and when we implement the correct & godly mindset, then God has more active involvement in our lives and the Holy Spirit can move more powerfully. All we need to do is be open to God’s Spirit by intentionally inviting Him into our lives each day and having control over our emotions & our actions. If we align our actions with God’s commands, He will bless us and we will live a fuller & more abundant & peaceful life. If we live according to our emotions and we live more selfishly, then God will allow natural circumstances to pervade our lives and it will not be peaceful and it will not be in deep fellowship or communion with Him.
In other words, we will reap the life that we sow. So let’s plant seeds of purposeful thought. Seeds of actions & behaviors that God will be pleased with and that will honor Him. Seeds of living life with a definite purpose that great minds possess.
Are we living life or letting life happen to us?
Let’s have the mind of Yeshua. Let’s ask God to develop our minds into His purpose – a great purpose!
Love you all,
Papa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)