Galatians 4:19 KJV
Paul said, "My children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you."
Paul had started the Galatians church and they were born again. Paul had won them to the Lord through the travail in spirit of prayer like a spiritual mother brings forth a child. Now Paul was travailing again. It was not for being born again, but it was more like "a growing pain" to be like Christ in His character. For Paul, it took spiritual prayer of agony like he had to travail and be in pain again until Jesus becomes real in their lives, and until they become like Him in His character.
Why was Paul doing this for the churches of Galatia? The churches were going through some kind of mixed doctrines influenced by some "deceptive (deceiving)new people" who came to church and tried to confuse the "new born babe" in Christ. The "new born babe" in Christ were only drinking "milk" in God's Word and it took a lot of time to really get to know the "teachings of Christ" from God's Word.
I want to share this because I have several ladies who are great prayer warriors who are suffering in great pain physically as well as spiritually. One lady shared with me saying that she felt like a contraction birthing in her body and recognize it to be spiritual birthing, like Paul said, "travailing in birth again." She said that often it is so painful that it drove her crazy. She cried to God to relief her. So I shared the great news that God is moving among ladies who are turning to the Lord. And now we are "travailing in prayer" that the ladies will grow into more of Christ's awareness as well as their life-changing.
If some of you are going through this "painful feeling," just know this, God need you to suffer a little bit for your friends, your families and your church members. It is not pleasant, but very necessary in spiritual growth if we are to see many Deaf turning to Christ and to grow spiritually and to be like Him.
Let's bear the "pain" a little bit together and support one another in prayer! God will bless your endurance in Him!
Song: To Be Like Jesus.
To be like Jesus,
To be like Jesus,
All I ask to be like Him.
All thru life's journey
From earth to glory,
All I ask to be like Him.
(Inspiring Choruses)
Trust God today!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Fear Not, I Have Redeemed Thee
Isaiah 43:1-3a - KJV: But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, 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.
NCV: Now this is what the Lord says. He created you, people of Jacob; he formed you, people of Israel. He says, “Don’t be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flames hurt you. This is because I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
In those verses, the Lord had spoken, ‘I have redeemed thee.’ What does that really means? Redeem means to set free; rescue or save. This verse reminds me of a song called, Redeemed. The song could be used for worship and to remember that Christ has redeemed us. [It also means ‘to buy back’. Jesus bought us back with His blood at the Cross from Satan who once ‘owned’ us].
In this part of the chapter 43, God expresses His love for Israel and God had been good and kind to them. God has created and redeemed us. We belong to Him and He knows each of us by name. God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. Can you count your hairs on your head? Impossible! We would never be able to count our hairs, but God does take the time to count the number of your hairs. That is a personal thing for God to care that much for us. It is a wonderful thought to know that God will be with us in time of troubles. We are precious and honored in His sight. We are people of His great love. We can express ourselves to the Lord through the song, ‘Redeemed.’
Song: Redeemed
Redeemed how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed thro’ His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am.
Chorus: Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am.
[Lyrics: Fanny J. Crosby; Music: William J. Kirkpatrick]
So trust God today to care that much for you!
Dorothy
NCV: Now this is what the Lord says. He created you, people of Jacob; he formed you, people of Israel. He says, “Don’t be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flames hurt you. This is because I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
In those verses, the Lord had spoken, ‘I have redeemed thee.’ What does that really means? Redeem means to set free; rescue or save. This verse reminds me of a song called, Redeemed. The song could be used for worship and to remember that Christ has redeemed us. [It also means ‘to buy back’. Jesus bought us back with His blood at the Cross from Satan who once ‘owned’ us].
In this part of the chapter 43, God expresses His love for Israel and God had been good and kind to them. God has created and redeemed us. We belong to Him and He knows each of us by name. God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. Can you count your hairs on your head? Impossible! We would never be able to count our hairs, but God does take the time to count the number of your hairs. That is a personal thing for God to care that much for us. It is a wonderful thought to know that God will be with us in time of troubles. We are precious and honored in His sight. We are people of His great love. We can express ourselves to the Lord through the song, ‘Redeemed.’
Song: Redeemed
Redeemed how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed thro’ His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am.
Chorus: Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am.
[Lyrics: Fanny J. Crosby; Music: William J. Kirkpatrick]
So trust God today to care that much for you!
Dorothy
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
My Rock
The Lord is my Rock, Yahweh Tsuri.
Psalm 144:1
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war my fingers for battle.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You are the Person we could really depend on. We could count on Your faithfulness day by day. When we are shaken, You kept us calm. When we are in trouble, You save us. When we are downhearted, You lift us up to a higher ground with You, our Rock and keep us steady. You taught us to trust God for today! Thank You for hearing our cries and deliver us from the power of oppression and set us free in our spirits in Jesus' name I pray. Amen!
David praised God for delivering him from his enemies (Ps. 144:1-2,7-10). Hannah prayed, "There is no Rock like our God" (1 Samuel 2:2).
Song: His Name is Wonderful!
His name is wonderful! His name is wonderful!
His name is wonderful, Jesus, my Lord!
He is the mighty King, Master of everything,
His name is wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.
He is the great Shepherd, The Rock of all ages,
Almighty God is He! Bow down before Him,
Love and adore Him, His name is wonderful,
Jesus, my Lord! (Author ?)
May the Lord bless you today!
Psalm 144:1
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war my fingers for battle.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You are the Person we could really depend on. We could count on Your faithfulness day by day. When we are shaken, You kept us calm. When we are in trouble, You save us. When we are downhearted, You lift us up to a higher ground with You, our Rock and keep us steady. You taught us to trust God for today! Thank You for hearing our cries and deliver us from the power of oppression and set us free in our spirits in Jesus' name I pray. Amen!
David praised God for delivering him from his enemies (Ps. 144:1-2,7-10). Hannah prayed, "There is no Rock like our God" (1 Samuel 2:2).
Song: His Name is Wonderful!
His name is wonderful! His name is wonderful!
His name is wonderful, Jesus, my Lord!
He is the mighty King, Master of everything,
His name is wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.
He is the great Shepherd, The Rock of all ages,
Almighty God is He! Bow down before Him,
Love and adore Him, His name is wonderful,
Jesus, my Lord! (Author ?)
May the Lord bless you today!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Fear Not, Thy Words were Heard
Daniel 10:11-13 KJV
And he (Gabriel) said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak with thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. V12 Then said he unto me, FEAR NOT, Daniel for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, THY WORDS WERE HEARD, and I am come for thy words. V13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Daniel 10:11-14 NVC
The man in the vision said to me, “Daniel, God loves you very much. Think carefully about the words I will speak to you, and stand up, because I have been sent to you.” When he said this, I stood up, but I was still shaking. V12 Then the man said to me, “Daniel, DO NOT BE AFRAID. Some times ago you decided to get understanding and to humble yourself before your God. Since that time GOD HAS LISTENED TO YOU, and I have come because of your prayers. V13 But the prince of Persia has been fighting against me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the most important angels, came to help me, because I had been left there with the king of Persia. V14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people, because the vision is about a time in the future.”
Daniel prayed and fasted for twenty-one days and nothing had happened. He had visions and Daniel needed God to explain to him what they meant. God send Gabriel from the very first day Daniel had prayed and Daniel’s prayer was heard. But Satan tried to stop Gabriel from getting to Daniel. So Michael came to help Gabriel but the warfare went on for twenty-one days. Finally, Gabriel came through and met with Daniel.
Daniel was encouraged as this angel called him, “a man greatly beloved” and told him, “Fear not” (v.12). God loves Daniel for his love and faithfulness to Him. Daniel had a house in Babylonia and he went to pray in an upstairs room which had windows that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times each day Daniel would kneel down to pray and thank God, just as he faithfully had done. This was probably why Daniel was a man that God really loved him.
Do you ever felt like that your prayers were not always heard? Be of good cheer, God has heard your prayers. He is saying, “Fear not, I have heard all of your prayers.” Like Jesus said, “men ought always to pray and not to faint” [Luke 18:1]. Keep praying and thanking Him will keep us in touch with God and He will called you, “a child of greatly beloved.” Keep thanking Him like Daniel did to God three times a day. Remember, Daniel was taken captive from his homeland, Jerusalem about 500 miles or more to Babylonia where he stayed. Yet, Daniel had an excellent spirit in him because he thanked God three times a day.
Let this Word of God encourage our hearts to thank Him daily.
And he (Gabriel) said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak with thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. V12 Then said he unto me, FEAR NOT, Daniel for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, THY WORDS WERE HEARD, and I am come for thy words. V13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Daniel 10:11-14 NVC
The man in the vision said to me, “Daniel, God loves you very much. Think carefully about the words I will speak to you, and stand up, because I have been sent to you.” When he said this, I stood up, but I was still shaking. V12 Then the man said to me, “Daniel, DO NOT BE AFRAID. Some times ago you decided to get understanding and to humble yourself before your God. Since that time GOD HAS LISTENED TO YOU, and I have come because of your prayers. V13 But the prince of Persia has been fighting against me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the most important angels, came to help me, because I had been left there with the king of Persia. V14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people, because the vision is about a time in the future.”
Daniel prayed and fasted for twenty-one days and nothing had happened. He had visions and Daniel needed God to explain to him what they meant. God send Gabriel from the very first day Daniel had prayed and Daniel’s prayer was heard. But Satan tried to stop Gabriel from getting to Daniel. So Michael came to help Gabriel but the warfare went on for twenty-one days. Finally, Gabriel came through and met with Daniel.
Daniel was encouraged as this angel called him, “a man greatly beloved” and told him, “Fear not” (v.12). God loves Daniel for his love and faithfulness to Him. Daniel had a house in Babylonia and he went to pray in an upstairs room which had windows that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times each day Daniel would kneel down to pray and thank God, just as he faithfully had done. This was probably why Daniel was a man that God really loved him.
Do you ever felt like that your prayers were not always heard? Be of good cheer, God has heard your prayers. He is saying, “Fear not, I have heard all of your prayers.” Like Jesus said, “men ought always to pray and not to faint” [Luke 18:1]. Keep praying and thanking Him will keep us in touch with God and He will called you, “a child of greatly beloved.” Keep thanking Him like Daniel did to God three times a day. Remember, Daniel was taken captive from his homeland, Jerusalem about 500 miles or more to Babylonia where he stayed. Yet, Daniel had an excellent spirit in him because he thanked God three times a day.
Let this Word of God encourage our hearts to thank Him daily.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Give Up?
Ecclesiastes 3:6 NIV
" ... a time to give up ..."
Do you sometimes felt like it was easier just to give up and do nothing? I am thinking of football players. I try to imagine what it would be like if one team just stay defensive all the times, keeping the opponent players from reaching their goal, and preventing the opponent from hurting their own players. Then somehow the defensive player stole the ball and decided to sit on it and say, "I give up."
What would you say to that? Ridiculous! Absurd! Preposterous! That's unreasonable things to do! That's not right! It makes no sense! That's dumb thing to do! That's not football! Would it makes you angry to watch the football defensive players do something like that? What would you say to them? "Get off the field and let the offensive players come into the field. Let's play game! Huh?"
Why did I bring this up? I was reading a note that say, "Satan can get along very well with Christians as long as they are on the defensive side." In another word, "try to protect yourself from getting hurt. They don't want to move forward spiritually."
To understand this, I tried to visualize the football defensive players that are always on the defensive plays. You might say: "That's not the rule of the game!" Then I understood that the offensive players take turn to play the field after defensive players leave the field. The offensive players move forward reaching the goal of touch down. Sometimes they do get hurt. They often get tackled down. Sometimes painful!!! And then they get back to the game!
If we want to shake Satan loose from us being so "defensive," we need to become "offensive" and move forward. If we want to see Satan defeated, we need to get into "spiritual offensive" and get moving! Yes, we'll get tackled down often and that's painful! But that's what it takes to be "a spiritually offensive player." A reminder that Satan isn't comfortable with "spiritual offensive" Christians who is always on the move.
So when it is "time to give up," you will experience what it is like to be "defensive" long enough so that you would become determined to get into "spiritual offensive." You would want to be on the move. The Holy Spirit is always on the move, on the offensive side so let's join with Him.
Song: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.
1. I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
2. The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me,
No turning back, no turning back.
3. Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow.
No turning back, no turning back.
4. Will you decide now ... to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now ... to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now ... to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
(Arranged by Cliff Barrows and Don Hustard,
Billy Graham New York Crusade Song Book
compiled by Cliff Barrows in 1969)
" ... a time to give up ..."
Do you sometimes felt like it was easier just to give up and do nothing? I am thinking of football players. I try to imagine what it would be like if one team just stay defensive all the times, keeping the opponent players from reaching their goal, and preventing the opponent from hurting their own players. Then somehow the defensive player stole the ball and decided to sit on it and say, "I give up."
What would you say to that? Ridiculous! Absurd! Preposterous! That's unreasonable things to do! That's not right! It makes no sense! That's dumb thing to do! That's not football! Would it makes you angry to watch the football defensive players do something like that? What would you say to them? "Get off the field and let the offensive players come into the field. Let's play game! Huh?"
Why did I bring this up? I was reading a note that say, "Satan can get along very well with Christians as long as they are on the defensive side." In another word, "try to protect yourself from getting hurt. They don't want to move forward spiritually."
To understand this, I tried to visualize the football defensive players that are always on the defensive plays. You might say: "That's not the rule of the game!" Then I understood that the offensive players take turn to play the field after defensive players leave the field. The offensive players move forward reaching the goal of touch down. Sometimes they do get hurt. They often get tackled down. Sometimes painful!!! And then they get back to the game!
If we want to shake Satan loose from us being so "defensive," we need to become "offensive" and move forward. If we want to see Satan defeated, we need to get into "spiritual offensive" and get moving! Yes, we'll get tackled down often and that's painful! But that's what it takes to be "a spiritually offensive player." A reminder that Satan isn't comfortable with "spiritual offensive" Christians who is always on the move.
So when it is "time to give up," you will experience what it is like to be "defensive" long enough so that you would become determined to get into "spiritual offensive." You would want to be on the move. The Holy Spirit is always on the move, on the offensive side so let's join with Him.
Song: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.
1. I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
2. The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me,
No turning back, no turning back.
3. Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow.
No turning back, no turning back.
4. Will you decide now ... to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now ... to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now ... to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
(Arranged by Cliff Barrows and Don Hustard,
Billy Graham New York Crusade Song Book
compiled by Cliff Barrows in 1969)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Guest: Rhoda Nelson
IN HIS HANDS
He has taken, blessed and broken
And it seemed I could not stand
All the crushing pain and torment
Yet I was in His hands
Through the sleepless nights I wondered
And often did demand
To know WHY?
Yet I'm certain that I was in His hands
To my questions and my queries
Was a gentle reprimand
"Hush, My child. Only trust Me -
You are still in My hands"
So it is that I am silent
And the birds and grains of sand
Do testify so greatly of the work of His hands
So it is I do not know yet
What design He has planned
All I know is - as I trust Him
I am in my Savor's hands.
Rhoda
I wrote this many years ago when I realized (through the story where Jesus TOOK the little boy's lunch (sufficient to meet the needs of one) then He BLESSED the bread - then BROKE it - all the while remaining in His hands) then and only then was He able to GIVE to feed thousands!
Jesus Himself was TAKEN sent to earth. He was BLESSED at the river jordan. Then during His earthly ministry He met the needs of individuals (whether one on one or in groups) where He was. It was only after He was BROKEN on Cavalry that He could meet the needs of you and me and all people for all time.
I trust the above poem gives you encouragement (or challenge) as you consider His breaking in your life so that you can be further spent for Him.
Rhoda Nelson of Minnesota
He has taken, blessed and broken
And it seemed I could not stand
All the crushing pain and torment
Yet I was in His hands
Through the sleepless nights I wondered
And often did demand
To know WHY?
Yet I'm certain that I was in His hands
To my questions and my queries
Was a gentle reprimand
"Hush, My child. Only trust Me -
You are still in My hands"
So it is that I am silent
And the birds and grains of sand
Do testify so greatly of the work of His hands
So it is I do not know yet
What design He has planned
All I know is - as I trust Him
I am in my Savor's hands.
Rhoda
I wrote this many years ago when I realized (through the story where Jesus TOOK the little boy's lunch (sufficient to meet the needs of one) then He BLESSED the bread - then BROKE it - all the while remaining in His hands) then and only then was He able to GIVE to feed thousands!
Jesus Himself was TAKEN sent to earth. He was BLESSED at the river jordan. Then during His earthly ministry He met the needs of individuals (whether one on one or in groups) where He was. It was only after He was BROKEN on Cavalry that He could meet the needs of you and me and all people for all time.
I trust the above poem gives you encouragement (or challenge) as you consider His breaking in your life so that you can be further spent for Him.
Rhoda Nelson of Minnesota
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Prayer for Health
My prayer for you and for your health: (You might want to use personal name for someone)
Thank You, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ for you (names); in Jesus' name I bring these requests before You.
Thank You heavenly Father for sending Your Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, and healing for them (names), anointing them and delivering them from their destructions. I give You thanks for Your loving kindness, and for Your wonders to all of us. I pray they offer You thanksgiving and sing joyfully about You.
Father, I pray that they (names) give attention to Your words and hold on to Your Words because the Word are life and health to their whole body and You will remove sickness from their body and anoint them in Jesus' name.
I thank You, Father for Jesus, Himself bore their sins in his body on the cross, so that they might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds they have been healed and anointed them in Jesus' name.
Thank You, Father that Christ has redeemed them from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for them in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to them through Christ Jesus so that by faith they might receive the promise of the Spirit. I thank You Father for already healed their body and anointed them in Jesus' I pray. Amen.
References: Ps. 107:20-22; Prov.4:20-22; Exod.23:25; 1Pet.2:24; Gal.3:13,14,29.
Song: I Am Healed
I am healed . . .
By His stripes . . .
By the stripes that makes
the blood so freely flow . . .
Just as surely as I know,
I am saved forever more,
I am healed by His stripes,
that Jesus bore . . . .
(Author: Don't know)
I sang this out of memory. May the Lord heal
you and anoint you today in Jesus' name!
Dorothy
Thank You, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ for you (names); in Jesus' name I bring these requests before You.
Thank You heavenly Father for sending Your Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, and healing for them (names), anointing them and delivering them from their destructions. I give You thanks for Your loving kindness, and for Your wonders to all of us. I pray they offer You thanksgiving and sing joyfully about You.
Father, I pray that they (names) give attention to Your words and hold on to Your Words because the Word are life and health to their whole body and You will remove sickness from their body and anoint them in Jesus' name.
I thank You, Father for Jesus, Himself bore their sins in his body on the cross, so that they might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds they have been healed and anointed them in Jesus' name.
Thank You, Father that Christ has redeemed them from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for them in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to them through Christ Jesus so that by faith they might receive the promise of the Spirit. I thank You Father for already healed their body and anointed them in Jesus' I pray. Amen.
References: Ps. 107:20-22; Prov.4:20-22; Exod.23:25; 1Pet.2:24; Gal.3:13,14,29.
Song: I Am Healed
I am healed . . .
By His stripes . . .
By the stripes that makes
the blood so freely flow . . .
Just as surely as I know,
I am saved forever more,
I am healed by His stripes,
that Jesus bore . . . .
(Author: Don't know)
I sang this out of memory. May the Lord heal
you and anoint you today in Jesus' name!
Dorothy
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