This morning my friend encouraged me with Ephesians 1:15 - 23.
I couldn't help but share the Message Version with you all.
I love that the Word of the Lord is so alive and active, seasoned and anointed.....and to think it's thousands of years old!
That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask - I ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength!
All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
Be encouraged with these verses.
Let your lights shine! Continue to follow and let Him reveal His heart to you.
He will instruct you and teach in the way you should go, as well as counsel and watch over you.
Let His will be done for you.
Friday, 14 September 2012
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Coffee & Cake
".......pray also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word." Colossians 4:3
Since embarking on my journey with this business I seriously did not expect Father to open doors as quick as He has. This is where I find myself completely humbled and also convicted of lacking zealous faith as I should. Common now, we are talking about His plans in action via you and I.....where can it go wrong?
Once upon a time it was reckless abandonment to faith. I share a common motivational quote with my fellow brothers and sisters, "where God leads you He sustains you...." and today was a "sustaining" experience for me.
Coffee and cake with a Muslim friend and dear sister was more than I expected. Father is just amazing!!!!
Pampering *Shenaaz with spa treatments, in her own home, was a door wide open to be a friend, lend an ear and offer a few enlightening moments for her to remember until we meet again.
There's just so much that goes on behind that veil, I cannot begin to explain. Beneath the piece of material that separates flesh from mankind is a normal human, woman, crying out for a friend, crying out for help.
Once, a non-Muslim man chatted to me about his dislike for women who covered themselves like "ninjas". He said he refused to help them if they could not talk to him like a proper human instead of talking through their veils, covered and weird looking.
It hurts both ways for me.
For the man above, it hurts that he cannot see beyond religion. He sees people through human eyes and not the Lord's.
For the women, it hurts that they aren't seen for who they truly are, normal women who are just obeying religious customs.
This is the beginning of my new season of unveiling what lies beneath.
Today, *Shenaaz cried out for a friend, a person she could simply share all her problems with. She didn't need advice, she just needed two ears and two arms. Listen and love.
My first lesson for ministering to Muslim women has begun. To love beyond my own limits is an extension of Father's heart for this nation.
It's not easy having to say good-bye but we both look forward to our next coffee and cake date, along with some spa treatments.
I am grateful that the Lord opened a home for where His heart wants to manifest.
To Father be the glory......
Onward march!
*Name change for security reasons*
Since embarking on my journey with this business I seriously did not expect Father to open doors as quick as He has. This is where I find myself completely humbled and also convicted of lacking zealous faith as I should. Common now, we are talking about His plans in action via you and I.....where can it go wrong?
Once upon a time it was reckless abandonment to faith. I share a common motivational quote with my fellow brothers and sisters, "where God leads you He sustains you...." and today was a "sustaining" experience for me.
Coffee and cake with a Muslim friend and dear sister was more than I expected. Father is just amazing!!!!
Pampering *Shenaaz with spa treatments, in her own home, was a door wide open to be a friend, lend an ear and offer a few enlightening moments for her to remember until we meet again.
There's just so much that goes on behind that veil, I cannot begin to explain. Beneath the piece of material that separates flesh from mankind is a normal human, woman, crying out for a friend, crying out for help.
Once, a non-Muslim man chatted to me about his dislike for women who covered themselves like "ninjas". He said he refused to help them if they could not talk to him like a proper human instead of talking through their veils, covered and weird looking.
It hurts both ways for me.
For the man above, it hurts that he cannot see beyond religion. He sees people through human eyes and not the Lord's.
For the women, it hurts that they aren't seen for who they truly are, normal women who are just obeying religious customs.
This is the beginning of my new season of unveiling what lies beneath.
Today, *Shenaaz cried out for a friend, a person she could simply share all her problems with. She didn't need advice, she just needed two ears and two arms. Listen and love.
My first lesson for ministering to Muslim women has begun. To love beyond my own limits is an extension of Father's heart for this nation.
It's not easy having to say good-bye but we both look forward to our next coffee and cake date, along with some spa treatments.
I am grateful that the Lord opened a home for where His heart wants to manifest.
To Father be the glory......
Onward march!
*Name change for security reasons*
Thursday, 6 September 2012
It's A New Season
September. Spring. Another new season embraces us, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
I have been pondering on Psalm 62 since the beginning of this month and I am going to quote from the Message, "So trust him absolutely, people, lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be. God, the one and only - I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so, why not?"
The more I read, ponder and digest the above verses, the more and more I find myself totally depending on God in every aspect of my life. From business, relationships, ministry opportunities down to devotional time.
A year ago God was highlighting the word FAITHFUL in my heart and spirit, that He is and will forever be, no matter what life throws at me and what circumstance I find myself in. There's no doubt or question in my heart that He is faithful. I guess only He can take you on a personal journey with Him to understand His faithfulness in your life. It's built in your capacity as a human to question, challenge, inquire, decide and become but I dare you not to throw Him in a box....be challenged and stretched! You will be amazed at the outcome. Let me add, don't ever think you are ready! Change your attitude to just absorb, like a sponge would.
God's lead me to a new season indeed. I now run a business, which is my main ministry tool for reaching His beloved children. Doors are opening and daily, my prayer times are increasing because I see the work, I am in the field, I am among the lost, poor, broken, hurt, lonely.
My expectations of where my business will take us lies totally in His hands. My spirit is willing and has obeyed the call, which leads me to sharing a devotional I had on the 1st September '12 (I found it perfect timing and indeed spirit quenching):
To walk with God also means to wait on God. You may need to wait on God to fulfill a promise that He has give you.
Joseph learned what it meant to wait for God to fulfill His promise to him. Joseph waited when his brothers sold him into slavery, he waited when he was a servant in the house of an Egyptian, and he waited when he was unjustly put in prison.
While Joseph waited he never threw away the promise, and while he waited, God worked. In God's time, the day came when He fulfilled every detail of the promise He had given to Joseph.
Are you waiting on God?
Be patient, be faithful, be true.
Place all your expectations in Him, it will be worth the wait.
Be true! I love it. Just be true and be real. God already knows, He has already gone before you and the challenges He gives you is to shape you.
Solitude is critical to the formation of human character. Seek Him in every area of your life for He delights in it, down to you sipping a hot cup of coffee. The comfort you find in that cup of piping hot coffee is an extension of His love for you. The joy He feels, it's just beautiful and real.
God is always at work in and around you beloved, in unseen, unknown, unnamed, and unlikely ways.
Happy Spring!
I have been pondering on Psalm 62 since the beginning of this month and I am going to quote from the Message, "So trust him absolutely, people, lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be. God, the one and only - I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so, why not?"
The more I read, ponder and digest the above verses, the more and more I find myself totally depending on God in every aspect of my life. From business, relationships, ministry opportunities down to devotional time.
A year ago God was highlighting the word FAITHFUL in my heart and spirit, that He is and will forever be, no matter what life throws at me and what circumstance I find myself in. There's no doubt or question in my heart that He is faithful. I guess only He can take you on a personal journey with Him to understand His faithfulness in your life. It's built in your capacity as a human to question, challenge, inquire, decide and become but I dare you not to throw Him in a box....be challenged and stretched! You will be amazed at the outcome. Let me add, don't ever think you are ready! Change your attitude to just absorb, like a sponge would.
God's lead me to a new season indeed. I now run a business, which is my main ministry tool for reaching His beloved children. Doors are opening and daily, my prayer times are increasing because I see the work, I am in the field, I am among the lost, poor, broken, hurt, lonely.
My expectations of where my business will take us lies totally in His hands. My spirit is willing and has obeyed the call, which leads me to sharing a devotional I had on the 1st September '12 (I found it perfect timing and indeed spirit quenching):
To walk with God also means to wait on God. You may need to wait on God to fulfill a promise that He has give you.
Joseph learned what it meant to wait for God to fulfill His promise to him. Joseph waited when his brothers sold him into slavery, he waited when he was a servant in the house of an Egyptian, and he waited when he was unjustly put in prison.
While Joseph waited he never threw away the promise, and while he waited, God worked. In God's time, the day came when He fulfilled every detail of the promise He had given to Joseph.
Are you waiting on God?
Be patient, be faithful, be true.
Place all your expectations in Him, it will be worth the wait.
Be true! I love it. Just be true and be real. God already knows, He has already gone before you and the challenges He gives you is to shape you.
Solitude is critical to the formation of human character. Seek Him in every area of your life for He delights in it, down to you sipping a hot cup of coffee. The comfort you find in that cup of piping hot coffee is an extension of His love for you. The joy He feels, it's just beautiful and real.
God is always at work in and around you beloved, in unseen, unknown, unnamed, and unlikely ways.
Happy Spring!
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