The Work of God

"So we say to our souls, “Be still and know God”  Embrace the times - behold God and His ways.  Learn from Him, from His word,  from His Spirit, His people, His creation - we are instructed to know  the times and seasons."

Quoting from our last post we know it's not enough just to believe and be present in this season. We must also be busy doing--but doing what?

Journey to Behold the Bride

 

Before summer comes spring.

Spring is typically a time of anticipation and new beginnings - new beginnings loaded with God's potential that make all things new and good.  But for us and a few  other sojourners, the spring of 2014 was a time to die to self, and let go of the structure and form of church we had called “Home” for many years. This past springtime taught us first hand about the conditions and the cost needed for new life to begin.

This journey to behold the Bride begins in the summer.

It is a time in the natural where we see visibly the fulfilment of what spring had promised. Buds have opened up boasting the flower and fruit that had been waiting for just the right conditions to breakthrough and grow.  This is a delightful mystery that man has no part in, except to behold and marvel.  

God's Most Successful Setback

Dear friends,
In light of our difficult journey over the past year or two John Piper's devotion for December 16th was a great encouragement and good reminder to us.  We hope it will encourage you as well.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)

Christmas was God’s most successful setback. He has always delighted to show his power through apparent defeat. He makes tactical retreats in order to win strategic victories.

A New Time - A New Season: A Treatise on the Church

In preparation for a new season with the Lord, there have been two main works He has called us to.

1) First and formost it is a season of REST. Its funny to think that rest is work but the work comes in the surrender and stripping away …..creating around and within us the time and space to rest.

2) Second is related to the first -  God's work of purging and pruning – yes, it's winter time.

RIng of Fire Prayer Tour Finale: Day 4 and Completion!

Friday, September 26th

We had a very special morning with our dear friend Kwok-Ying.  We shared 

a taste of Rosh Hashanah together and prayed for a sweet year.

Out to the breakwater near Beacon Hill Park for Americanos 

and a revisit to the Ogden Lightouse

We walked out on the breakwater..with about 20 other people, wondering how we were going to have a prayer time which included the blowing of a shofar.  As soon as we walked down the steps closer to the water, it began to rain - lightly at first, then heavier.  Moments later, everyone was gone, except us...very wet but happy little intercessors ;)

Spontaneous visit and prayer 

at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria

    

Proverbs 14:34a

Righteousness exalts a nation...

In the pictures and stained windows, we were reminded that 

our country was founded on righteousness and an appreciation for 

Theology

Arts

Science

Music

Psalm 108:1-5

My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

On the road again to catch the 5pm ferry to Tswassen

 A - WAKE 

 Crossing over to the mainland - the 1.5 hour crossing became 3 hours due to a medical emergency.  We arrived at Tswassen at 8pm, and needed to drive 45 kilometers for one last prayer stop and still arrive at Horseshoe Bay on the last ferry at 9:45pm. Rather than stop, we decided to read out and proclaim Psalm 24 as we crossed the bridge.. 

LION'S GATE BRIDGE

 (Note; these two pics were taken from the internet)

THE LIONS: They overlook the bridge and the city of Vancouver

Psalm 24

Of David. A psalm.

1The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

2for he founded it on the seas

and established it on the waters.

3Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?

Who may stand in his holy place?

4The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not trust in an idol

or swear by a false god.^a

5They will receive blessing from the Lord

and vindication from God their Savior.

6Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek your face, God of Jacob.^b c

7Lift up your heads, you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

8Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

the Lord mighty in battle.

9Lift up your heads, you gates;

lift them up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

10Who is he, this King of glory?

The Lord Almighty—

he is the King of glory.

Arrived safe and sound and tired, mission completed at 11pm 

RIng of Fire Prayer Tour: Finale - Day 3

Thursday, September 25th

FIZGARD LIGHTHOUSE

(near Victoria)

Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message)

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

Jesus, may we shine Your Light and bring out the 

God-colours of the world around us!

Sitting on the rocks behind the lighthouse, overseeing the bay, 

the Lord held back the rain so that we were able to complete the prayer..

Once our prayer was completed, we raised up the banner
that was gifted to us by an intercessor friend in Australia.

On our way back to the picnic area

we saw a number of small deer..

We set up a table for communion on the same table 

we had used for prayer in 2010

Thank you Jesus, for the precious blood that you shed for the remission of our sin and the sin of the whole world.  Thank you for your body that was broken for our healing and restoration to wholeness in You.  We remember your sacrifice and we rejoice that you have made us kings and priests with You, ruling and reigning in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Lord, we remember how You endured the religious and political forces.  You showed us how to endure the unbelief in our territories, because you endured the unbelief in Nazareth, your home town.  You endured the desert and the devil in the wilderness.  You knew how to move better in timing than the enemy.  We remember Your body and Your blood and we ask you to make it active within us! That’s what makes us overcomers.  We war not with the weapons of this world. 

As we take this bread and drink this cup, we rededicate our lives to the One True God, Yeshua HaMachiach. May Your Good Spirit rest upon us and may Your fire stir in us.  We thank you for the abundance you have called us to. AMEN.

We also remember all the people we know who are praying for us.

YOU ARE THE BIG GUNS BEHIND US!

So, back at the ranch..I mean castle... 

we enjoyed some relaxing time....

and some worship...

 Goodnight all..one more day to completion....see next blogpost

Ring of Fire Prayer Tour Finale; Day 2 ..continued

John 3:8

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, 
but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; 
so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Part 3

Connecting in Victoria with a good prayer friend we met 

at Keat`s Island International Prayer Centre in 2010

 Arrangements were made for us to stay at Spencer Castle for 2 nights -

a Double-portion blessing!

Our Rosh Hashanah blessing for you:

It is customary to eat apples dipped in honey before the Rosh Hashanah Seder meal. The apple is symbolic of the firstfruits of the harvest season.

As you dip the apple in honey, this is our prayer of blessing over you:

`Blessed are you Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the tree. May it be your will O Lord God, and God of our fathers, that you renew for us a good and sweet year in our Lord Yeshua, the Messiah.`