We were created for God's pleasure. We were not created to live for ourselves but for Him. And while the Lord desires that we enjoy His gifts and His people, He would have us know we were created first for His pleasure. In these closing moments of this age, the Lord will have a people whose purpose for living is to please God with their lives. In them, God finds His own reward for creating man. They are His worshipers. They are on earth only to please God, and when He is pleased, they also are pleased.
The Lord takes them farther and through more pain and conflicts than other men. Outwardly, they often seem "smitten of God, and afflicted" (Isa. 53:4). Yet to God, they are His beloved. When they are crushed, like the petals of a flower, they exude a worship, the fragrance of which is so beautiful and rare that angels weep in quiet awe at their surrender. They are the Lord's purpose for creation.
One would think that God would protect them, guarding them in such a way that they would not be marred. Instead, they are marred more than others. Indeed, the Lord seems pleased to crush them, putting them to grief. For in the midst of their physical and emotional pain, their loyalty to Christ grows pure and perfect. And in the face of persecutions, their love and worship toward God become all-consuming.
Would that all Christ's servants were so perfectly surrendered. Yet God finds His pleasure in us all. But as the days of the kingdom draw near and the warfare at the end of this age increases, those who have been created solely for the worship of God will come forth in the power and glory of the Son. With the high praises of God in their mouth, they will execute upon His enemies the judgment written (see Ps. 149). They will lead as generals in the Lord's army of worshipers.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
DYING TO SELF - this is leadership..
When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight; but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, THAT IS DYiNG TO SELF.
When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient loving silence, THAT IS DYiNG TO SELF.
When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any unpunctuality, or any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly extravagance, spiritually insensibility..., and endure it as Jesus endured it, THAT IS DYiNG TO SELF.
When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God, THAT IS DYiNG TO SELF.
When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown, THAT IS DYiNG TO SELF.
When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God, while your own needs are far greater, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.
When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.
Are you dead yet? In these last days the Spirit would bring us to the Cross. "That I may know Him. . .being made conformable to His death."
"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." (John 5:30)
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Holy Disatisfaction..
(A repost of a previous one)
May this year bring you the great discomfort expressed in this prayer:
May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
And turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
I had something more to say; something about our appetites for the new, the shiny, the conspicuous. Something about those appetites preventing us within the Church from lives of self-denial and sacrifice, about our appetites being the very thing that gives life to the evil we all so bemoan, how I wonder if Jesus was saying something deeply profound when He taught about the love of money. But I'm so weary of the preaching, of calling people to embrace something whole-heartedly and without compromise when I grasp the same thing haltingly and with failing trepidation. I'm running out of words and inclined within my spirit to believe that it's time to shut up and show up.
I want 2007 to be a year of much less so it can be a year of much more; a year letting the "good" pass me by so I'll have ready hands and hearts to grab hold of the "better" when it comes.
A year of internal over external, kingdom values over the crappy substitutes and shoddy knock-offs. Because, simply, there must be more.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Make Us One - Cindy Morgan (Exodus)
Children below
Fresh from the foe
Hands 'neath the moonlight
Lord please make us one
We hear the tide
Roll through the night
Come lead the weary
Lord please make us one
Children rejoice
Come to the voice
Song of the angels
Healing the broken ones
Seasons of rain
Battles unwon
Lead to the fountain
Wash and make us one
All hearts rejoice
With mighty voice
Make us a rainbow
Lord please make us one
Light in the sky
Breath of our life
Unite the rainbow
Lord please make us one
Make us a rainbow
Lord please make us one
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Where are our loyalties?
By Paul Ravenhill
Somehow man is such a creature of this earth that he tends to interpret even God through the framework of the society in which he has his being.
Can we really realize that God's kingdom is a heavenly kingdom and that the nations of this earth have their place in the light of God's blessing only as they come under the laws of His kingdom?
Can we realize that the heavenly laws are inexorable, and that when we apart ourselves from them we apart ourselves from God?
The nation which has room for everything except that which is absolute and eternal will find itself given over to darkness - that darkness which is not merely the absence of light but the dwelling place of death, and dread, and despair and destruction.
If the "Christian nations" have gone beyond the point of turning then it is up to us, as individuals, to stand as children of the Light, not allowing anything to interrupt its rays. Multiplied thousands gave their lives as martyrs in bygone generations and died "by shame undefiled." May we, in our generation, keep our garments, our souls, our hearts undefiled.
Somehow man is such a creature of this earth that he tends to interpret even God through the framework of the society in which he has his being.
Can we really realize that God's kingdom is a heavenly kingdom and that the nations of this earth have their place in the light of God's blessing only as they come under the laws of His kingdom?
Can we realize that the heavenly laws are inexorable, and that when we apart ourselves from them we apart ourselves from God?
The nation which has room for everything except that which is absolute and eternal will find itself given over to darkness - that darkness which is not merely the absence of light but the dwelling place of death, and dread, and despair and destruction.
If the "Christian nations" have gone beyond the point of turning then it is up to us, as individuals, to stand as children of the Light, not allowing anything to interrupt its rays. Multiplied thousands gave their lives as martyrs in bygone generations and died "by shame undefiled." May we, in our generation, keep our garments, our souls, our hearts undefiled.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
a NOW word:
New Revivalists
8-23-2007
Cindy Jacobs
For the Lord would say “I’m raising up a new generation of revivalists such as the world has not seen. I’m re-digging the wells of Leonard Ravenhill,” says the Lord. “I’m re-digging wells today” says the Father God. And the Lord says that there is a shifting and a turning even in this season. “Even,” says the Lord, “a time of new beginnings; but new beginnings for harvest,” says the Lord. Some have prayed, and many have not seen revival. They’ve not seen. They’ve only seen the promise of what they hope God would do in their cities. They’ve only seen a glimpse of what could happen if a city was saved, but the Lord says, “I am coming in response to the prayers of generations.” Says God, “I’m coming and heeding their cries. Will not my city be saved? Will not Africa be saved? Will not Europe be saved? Will not South America be saved? North America?” And God says, “I am coming. I am pouring out. For I am visiting young revivalists who are going to be the evangelists of tomorrow. For the gift of evangelism, the office of evangelist, is being opened. The wells of evangelism are being opened all across the face of the Earth; those wells of revival. Those wells of pentecost are opening in Norway that affected England,” says God. “New wells. New wells for a new day. But this well carries with it not only revival, but reformation, societal transformation.” God says, “and this move of the holy spirit is not just going to touch souls; it’s going to touch nations,” says God. “For I have heard your cries for the nations to be saved. I have heard your cries. Don’t think that I am deaf,” says God. “Don’t think that i cannot hear when you cry unto me.” For the Lord says, “I am getting ready to pour out water. My Spirit upon the dry and thirsty places, and the dry bones will live,” says God, “and the dry bones will stand up.” And God says, “I’m pouring out my spirit for household salvation,” says the Lord. “Those who’ve been the hardest, the hardest. Their hearts have been hard against me. I am coming with My Mighty Spirit that no person will be able to stand when this flood tide comes,” says God. “It’s gonna be greater than tsunamis; for there is a spiritual tsunami coming to Asia,” says God. “There’s a spiritual tsunami being poured out across the face of the earth.” And so the Lord says, “This is a time of rejoicing. This is a time of crying unto Me. This is a time where my purging, cleansing flood is coming. There is a fountain, filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins that comes to cleanse the hardest sinners souls,” says God. And so the Lord says, “Do not let your soul be discouraged. Don’t be downcast. Say to your soul, ‘Have hope in God, for God is a prayer-hearing God,’” says the Lord. Amen.
8-23-2007
Cindy Jacobs
For the Lord would say “I’m raising up a new generation of revivalists such as the world has not seen. I’m re-digging the wells of Leonard Ravenhill,” says the Lord. “I’m re-digging wells today” says the Father God. And the Lord says that there is a shifting and a turning even in this season. “Even,” says the Lord, “a time of new beginnings; but new beginnings for harvest,” says the Lord. Some have prayed, and many have not seen revival. They’ve not seen. They’ve only seen the promise of what they hope God would do in their cities. They’ve only seen a glimpse of what could happen if a city was saved, but the Lord says, “I am coming in response to the prayers of generations.” Says God, “I’m coming and heeding their cries. Will not my city be saved? Will not Africa be saved? Will not Europe be saved? Will not South America be saved? North America?” And God says, “I am coming. I am pouring out. For I am visiting young revivalists who are going to be the evangelists of tomorrow. For the gift of evangelism, the office of evangelist, is being opened. The wells of evangelism are being opened all across the face of the Earth; those wells of revival. Those wells of pentecost are opening in Norway that affected England,” says God. “New wells. New wells for a new day. But this well carries with it not only revival, but reformation, societal transformation.” God says, “and this move of the holy spirit is not just going to touch souls; it’s going to touch nations,” says God. “For I have heard your cries for the nations to be saved. I have heard your cries. Don’t think that I am deaf,” says God. “Don’t think that i cannot hear when you cry unto me.” For the Lord says, “I am getting ready to pour out water. My Spirit upon the dry and thirsty places, and the dry bones will live,” says God, “and the dry bones will stand up.” And God says, “I’m pouring out my spirit for household salvation,” says the Lord. “Those who’ve been the hardest, the hardest. Their hearts have been hard against me. I am coming with My Mighty Spirit that no person will be able to stand when this flood tide comes,” says God. “It’s gonna be greater than tsunamis; for there is a spiritual tsunami coming to Asia,” says God. “There’s a spiritual tsunami being poured out across the face of the earth.” And so the Lord says, “This is a time of rejoicing. This is a time of crying unto Me. This is a time where my purging, cleansing flood is coming. There is a fountain, filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins that comes to cleanse the hardest sinners souls,” says God. And so the Lord says, “Do not let your soul be discouraged. Don’t be downcast. Say to your soul, ‘Have hope in God, for God is a prayer-hearing God,’” says the Lord. Amen.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Oratio
“If you don’t use sandpaper, sealer, and a good undercoat on that timber,the topcoat will quickly peel off,” said the carpenter.
'Whatever the Lord pleases He does in heaven and in earth'
(Psalm 135:6).
In the new millennium now, we are seeing the Lord’s pleasurable work - an emerging governing Church body that knows how to maturely work with its apostolic head Jesus Christ. In this restoration, the five-fold ministries of apostle, prophet, teacher, pastor, and evangelist, are increasingly working together in maturity, so Jesus can truly be formed in all power in His Body – the Church. As Christian believing, singers, musicians and all artists, we must prepare now like never before. Some of the greatest Christian creativity will come from the Body of Christ in this era – it will have apostolic, prophetic power.
There is a call and message for us being prophesied in these end-times; get ready to embrace God’s great moves across the earth. We must prepare to arise now, in this time of the nations! Apostolic governing churches will be awesome training and sending centers that will change their cities and nations. These churches are being planted now through new networks - some have been already planted and developing for several decades. Others are emerging as new and fresh voices, redefining the Church in many a spiritual wilderness. There are those that are absolutely the newest of wine, that just won't work in old church wineskins. Many new churches yet to come will be planted by the matured governing apostolic master builders of today. Why is the Lord doing this at such a time in history? He wants to see the nations turn to Him – it is the time for cities and nations to come to the Lord. In our preparation the Church has to become wise in God’s ways, and very strong, for the resistance to the arising apostolic governing Body of Christ will be ardent by satanic powers.
Singers and musicians are a major part of the strength of the apostolic, prophetic Church. Yet even in today's church paradigms and emerging new apostolic reform, there is still much preparation being done by God to bring forth the maturity of spirit that will open the heavens and usher in great glory; power that will push back darkness, and release people to God.
The devil hates the prophetic and apostolic, and will seek in any way to destroy these ministries, or keep them apart; people who are strong, wise, and mature in these areas, are fashioned over much time and experience. God prepares them to have character, wisdom, and prudence, with the ability to work through and breakthrough anything that will resist their call - to bring significant and powerful change for Christ in this desperate world.
God is always preparing our hearts for His purposes and David had a heavenly glimpse of how personal God’s purposes are.
'The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually…' (Psalm 33:13-15). '
…Today, if you will hear His voice; do not harden your hearts…'
(Psalm 95:7-8).
Friday, September 07, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Brokeness ..again?
FROM "BROKENNESS UNTO BLESSING"
Read Psalm 31:1-31:24
Psalm 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
You probably remember the children’s nursery rhyme –
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the King’s horses
And all the King’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
As much as we would like to help people in our midst today that are hurting, we can’t rebuild broken people. But our God is very capable of rebuilding broken people. In fact, this is one of His specialties:
I read an article about some actual business signs that advertise to the public the skills of the proprietor:
At on Optometrist’s office: "If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place."
On a taxidermist’s window: "We really know our stuff."
In a Podiatrist’s window: "Time wounds all heels."
On a butcher’s window: "Let me meat your needs."
Outside a muffler shop: "No appointment necessary. We’ll hear you coming."
On the side of a garbage truck: "We’ve got what it takes to take what you’ve got."
If God had a sign outside His office, it might say, “I can’t fix it until it is broken.”
This morning I want us to leave with an understanding that brokenness does not have to be blight, brokenness can become a blessing.
How can we go from Brokenness unto Blessing?
Notice first of all:
I. The Reality of Brokenness
Throughout the Scriptures, but especially in the Psalms, we meet people who are broken. David cried out in Psalm 31:12, “I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.” Generally speaking, when something is broken, it is useless unless it can be repaired:
1. Perhaps you know what it is like to have a broken arm or leg.
2. When a person is financially drained so that he has absolutely nothing, he is said to be "broke."
3. When a person’s romantic hopes are destroyed, he is heartBROKEN.
4. When a person is at rock bottom, he is broken. Under God’s chastisement, David said: Psalms 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquiet ness of my heart.
5. When a person is broken, he is almost useless, unless he gets repaired.
When things are broken in your life, you are in trouble:
1. There Is An Outward Problem.
It causes some to become bitter and angry and it hurts their relationships. Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. They take out their bitterness over what has happened on those around them. They develop a short fuse, they say things that they don’t really mean, and they lose control of their emotions very easily. David’s broken heart caused him to say in Psalm 31:6, “I have hated them that regard lying vanities.” In verse 17, he said, “let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.” In verse 18, he cried out, “Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.”
2. There is An Inward Problem. It causes some to become discouraged, disillusioned, and even depressed. Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
3. There Is An Upward Problem. Some blame God for what has happened and either drop out of church or quit serving like they used to.
Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
II. The Reason For Brokenness
God is not a cruel God. He allows things to happen for a reason. There is always purpose in the pain we experience here on earth. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” II Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” God wants what’s best for you…He wants to do something great in and with and through your life. Someone once said, “Before God can use a man greatly, He must wound him deeply.” “Before you can bless, you must bleed; before you can help, you must first hurt.”
Oswald Chambers was right when he said, “If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed—you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.”
There is a clear pattern in the Bible that teaches us that brokenness precedes greatness:
1. Before Abraham became the father of many nations, he and Sarah were childless.
2. Before Jacob could be blessed, he was wounded by angel in a wrestling match.
3. Before Joseph ruled Egypt, he was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and falsely imprisoned.
4. Before Job’s estate was doubled, he lost everything he had, including his family, his fortune, and his future.
5. Before Moses became the great deliverer, he lost his position, his possessions, and his popularity.
6. Before Joshua conquered the Promised Land, he went through the wilderness.
7. Before Samson crushed the Philistines, he was blinded, binded, and grinded.
8. Before David became king, he was renounced by his family, ridiculed by his foes, and rejected by his friends.
9. Before Daniel could be used mightily, he had to spend the night in the lion’s den.
10. Before Hosea became a powerful spokesman for God, his wife betrayed him and returned to prostitution.
11. Before Peter preached 3,000 souls into the kingdom, he denied his Savior three times and went out and wept bitterly.
12. Before Paul brought the gospel to the Gentiles, he was blinded on the Damascus road.
Watchman Nee said, “Our spirit is released according to the degree of our brokenness. The one who has accepted the most discipline is the one who can best serve. The more one is broken, the more sensitive he is.”
Oswald Chambers commented, "When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, a broken friendship, or a new friendship—when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us."
Sometimes God sees that our life is a mess and He breaks us so that He can remake us.
Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
The songwriter expressed the proper attitude we should have during the times when we are broken:
Have Thine own way, Lord. Have Thine own way. Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me After thy will. While I am waiting, Yielded and still.
The Potter is able to mend the broken vessel and use it for His own purposes and pleasure!
III. The Remedy for Brokenness
A. There Must Be A Relationship.
In verse 3, David was able to testify, “For thou art my rock and my fortress…” Again in verse 14, David proclaimed, “Thou art my God.”
Do you have a relationship with God today? That is the most important question to answer.
B. There Must Be A Reliance.
1. V. 1 –“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust…”
2. V. 4 –“For thou art my strength.”
3. V. 5 –“Into thine hand I commit my spirit…”
4. V. 6 –“I trust in the LORD.”
5. V. 14 –“But I trusted in thee, O LORD:”
6. V. 19 –“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” 7. V. 22 –“I cried unto thee.”
8. I Peter 5:5 –“For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble.”
9. I Peter 5:6 –“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
C. There Must Be A Realization
1. God Cares.
a. V. 7 –“I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: For thou hast considered my trouble; Thou hast known my soul in adversities…”
b. V. 9 –“Have mercy upon me, O Lord…”
c. V. 16 –“Save me for thy mercy’s sake.”
d. V. 19 –“How great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee…”
e. Because He cares, God’s goodness and mercy will follow the child of God.
2. God Is In Control.
a. V. 15 –“My times are in thy hand…”
b. “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hand…”
c. “He’s Got You And My Brother In His Hand…”
d. V. 5 –“Into thine hand I commit my spirit:
3. God Can.
a. V. 4 –“Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: 4 For thou art my strength.”
b. God can deliver us from any situation and can fix our broken lives.
D. There Must Be A Rest.
1. V. 24 –“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, All ye that hope in the Lord.”
2. Bethany will let me help her when she is hurt:
a. We have a relationship.
b. She’s learned to rely on me.
c. She realizes that I care, I am in control, and I can.
d. She rests in my presence.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall Humpty Dumpty had a great fall All the King’s horses And all the King’s men Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
But God can! GOD is able to mend: Broken hearts Broken homes Broken hopes Broken health Broken happiness
I’m GLAD that our Lord specializes in healing broken things! Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Now we come to one of the paradoxes of the Christian life. The word "broken" is almost always negative. However, the word, "break," can be positive. For instance, when something good happens to a person, it is often said to be "his big BREAK."
To be BROKEN in heart, health, or hope, COULD be your big BREAK. For instance, God gives you His attention when your spirit is broken, more so than when your spirit is proud:
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
The greatest men of the Bible were broken but God used them.
Are you broken? It may be that God is going to use you. Don’t give up! God SPECIALIZES in broken things!
Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
You may be here today wondering if and when your life will ever get back to normal.
He can fix the broken pieces, Better even than before, And open wide the storehouse Of His blessing evermore!
Although not a BONE of our Lord was broken, when the Lord was crucified and bore our sins in His body, the Bible describes His body as being broken: 1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he break it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. Our Lord was broken, but through His brokenness, the greatest blessing of them all –salvation, was made available for you and me.
From Brokenness Unto Blessing from “The desk of Adaline S. Kumar”
Read Psalm 31:1-31:24
Psalm 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
You probably remember the children’s nursery rhyme –
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the King’s horses
And all the King’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
As much as we would like to help people in our midst today that are hurting, we can’t rebuild broken people. But our God is very capable of rebuilding broken people. In fact, this is one of His specialties:
I read an article about some actual business signs that advertise to the public the skills of the proprietor:
At on Optometrist’s office: "If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place."
On a taxidermist’s window: "We really know our stuff."
In a Podiatrist’s window: "Time wounds all heels."
On a butcher’s window: "Let me meat your needs."
Outside a muffler shop: "No appointment necessary. We’ll hear you coming."
On the side of a garbage truck: "We’ve got what it takes to take what you’ve got."
If God had a sign outside His office, it might say, “I can’t fix it until it is broken.”
This morning I want us to leave with an understanding that brokenness does not have to be blight, brokenness can become a blessing.
How can we go from Brokenness unto Blessing?
Notice first of all:
I. The Reality of Brokenness
Throughout the Scriptures, but especially in the Psalms, we meet people who are broken. David cried out in Psalm 31:12, “I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.” Generally speaking, when something is broken, it is useless unless it can be repaired:
1. Perhaps you know what it is like to have a broken arm or leg.
2. When a person is financially drained so that he has absolutely nothing, he is said to be "broke."
3. When a person’s romantic hopes are destroyed, he is heartBROKEN.
4. When a person is at rock bottom, he is broken. Under God’s chastisement, David said: Psalms 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquiet ness of my heart.
5. When a person is broken, he is almost useless, unless he gets repaired.
When things are broken in your life, you are in trouble:
1. There Is An Outward Problem.
It causes some to become bitter and angry and it hurts their relationships. Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. They take out their bitterness over what has happened on those around them. They develop a short fuse, they say things that they don’t really mean, and they lose control of their emotions very easily. David’s broken heart caused him to say in Psalm 31:6, “I have hated them that regard lying vanities.” In verse 17, he said, “let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.” In verse 18, he cried out, “Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.”
2. There is An Inward Problem. It causes some to become discouraged, disillusioned, and even depressed. Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
3. There Is An Upward Problem. Some blame God for what has happened and either drop out of church or quit serving like they used to.
Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
II. The Reason For Brokenness
God is not a cruel God. He allows things to happen for a reason. There is always purpose in the pain we experience here on earth. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” II Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” God wants what’s best for you…He wants to do something great in and with and through your life. Someone once said, “Before God can use a man greatly, He must wound him deeply.” “Before you can bless, you must bleed; before you can help, you must first hurt.”
Oswald Chambers was right when he said, “If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed—you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.”
There is a clear pattern in the Bible that teaches us that brokenness precedes greatness:
1. Before Abraham became the father of many nations, he and Sarah were childless.
2. Before Jacob could be blessed, he was wounded by angel in a wrestling match.
3. Before Joseph ruled Egypt, he was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and falsely imprisoned.
4. Before Job’s estate was doubled, he lost everything he had, including his family, his fortune, and his future.
5. Before Moses became the great deliverer, he lost his position, his possessions, and his popularity.
6. Before Joshua conquered the Promised Land, he went through the wilderness.
7. Before Samson crushed the Philistines, he was blinded, binded, and grinded.
8. Before David became king, he was renounced by his family, ridiculed by his foes, and rejected by his friends.
9. Before Daniel could be used mightily, he had to spend the night in the lion’s den.
10. Before Hosea became a powerful spokesman for God, his wife betrayed him and returned to prostitution.
11. Before Peter preached 3,000 souls into the kingdom, he denied his Savior three times and went out and wept bitterly.
12. Before Paul brought the gospel to the Gentiles, he was blinded on the Damascus road.
Watchman Nee said, “Our spirit is released according to the degree of our brokenness. The one who has accepted the most discipline is the one who can best serve. The more one is broken, the more sensitive he is.”
Oswald Chambers commented, "When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, a broken friendship, or a new friendship—when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us."
Sometimes God sees that our life is a mess and He breaks us so that He can remake us.
Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
The songwriter expressed the proper attitude we should have during the times when we are broken:
Have Thine own way, Lord. Have Thine own way. Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me After thy will. While I am waiting, Yielded and still.
The Potter is able to mend the broken vessel and use it for His own purposes and pleasure!
III. The Remedy for Brokenness
A. There Must Be A Relationship.
In verse 3, David was able to testify, “For thou art my rock and my fortress…” Again in verse 14, David proclaimed, “Thou art my God.”
Do you have a relationship with God today? That is the most important question to answer.
B. There Must Be A Reliance.
1. V. 1 –“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust…”
2. V. 4 –“For thou art my strength.”
3. V. 5 –“Into thine hand I commit my spirit…”
4. V. 6 –“I trust in the LORD.”
5. V. 14 –“But I trusted in thee, O LORD:”
6. V. 19 –“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” 7. V. 22 –“I cried unto thee.”
8. I Peter 5:5 –“For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble.”
9. I Peter 5:6 –“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
C. There Must Be A Realization
1. God Cares.
a. V. 7 –“I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: For thou hast considered my trouble; Thou hast known my soul in adversities…”
b. V. 9 –“Have mercy upon me, O Lord…”
c. V. 16 –“Save me for thy mercy’s sake.”
d. V. 19 –“How great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee…”
e. Because He cares, God’s goodness and mercy will follow the child of God.
2. God Is In Control.
a. V. 15 –“My times are in thy hand…”
b. “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hand…”
c. “He’s Got You And My Brother In His Hand…”
d. V. 5 –“Into thine hand I commit my spirit:
3. God Can.
a. V. 4 –“Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: 4 For thou art my strength.”
b. God can deliver us from any situation and can fix our broken lives.
D. There Must Be A Rest.
1. V. 24 –“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, All ye that hope in the Lord.”
2. Bethany will let me help her when she is hurt:
a. We have a relationship.
b. She’s learned to rely on me.
c. She realizes that I care, I am in control, and I can.
d. She rests in my presence.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall Humpty Dumpty had a great fall All the King’s horses And all the King’s men Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
But God can! GOD is able to mend: Broken hearts Broken homes Broken hopes Broken health Broken happiness
I’m GLAD that our Lord specializes in healing broken things! Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Now we come to one of the paradoxes of the Christian life. The word "broken" is almost always negative. However, the word, "break," can be positive. For instance, when something good happens to a person, it is often said to be "his big BREAK."
To be BROKEN in heart, health, or hope, COULD be your big BREAK. For instance, God gives you His attention when your spirit is broken, more so than when your spirit is proud:
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
The greatest men of the Bible were broken but God used them.
Are you broken? It may be that God is going to use you. Don’t give up! God SPECIALIZES in broken things!
Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
You may be here today wondering if and when your life will ever get back to normal.
He can fix the broken pieces, Better even than before, And open wide the storehouse Of His blessing evermore!
Although not a BONE of our Lord was broken, when the Lord was crucified and bore our sins in His body, the Bible describes His body as being broken: 1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he break it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. Our Lord was broken, but through His brokenness, the greatest blessing of them all –salvation, was made available for you and me.
From Brokenness Unto Blessing from “The desk of Adaline S. Kumar”
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