Abba’s HEARTBEAT
4th Quarter, 2004
John 11:40: Jesus said, "if you believe, you will see the Glory of God."
A Stone's Throw Away ………..
Enrico Caruso, the famous Italian Tenor, was told by his voice and music teacher to "give it up, because your voice sounds like wind whistling through a broken window!" Sometimes failure surrounds us and more times than should be, others encourage us to fail. I don't suppose they mean to, but there it is.
What of those times when we encourage ourselves to fail? The Lord warns us when failure is near, but often, there are more "user friendly" things to do than listen!
Jesus warns Peter in Luke 22:31-34 that the enemy is trying to destroy him and that he will surely even deny Christ, his Savior and Friend, shortly.
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."
Simon Peter didn't take seriously the warning that he was given. This wasn't a buddy coming with a thought or a brother coming with an idea. This was Jesus, coming with the truth! Jesus told him, "...and when you have been converted..." These were words of truth and life. Peter missed these words because he began to defend his position so quickly that he didn't ponder the truth that was being presented to him. The Lord just finished telling him that his faith was at risk to fail and that at some point he WOULD BE converted! Would be converted? That should have made him stop where he was and instead of making declarations, start asking some questions.
Luke 22:39-46 "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
A stone's cast. That means a simple toss of a rock. That's how far Jesus was from his Disciples, "A stone's throw away." That's within hearing distance. That's within seeing distance. That's close enough to hear your friend Jesus agonize in torments and pain. That's close enough to run a few feet to Him and hold His head up as He prepares to accomplish the triumph of the ages. That's close enough to see Him sweat blood as you fall asleep. That's close enough, but yet, too far away …………
They were told to beware of the looming temptation. They were warned. Sleep called louder and the reward seemed greater. However, in just a few brief moments, the one they held more dear than their own lives would disappear with pain and agony and they have this testimony: they did nothing to encourage Him, not even when asked to. They didn't pray for Him, they didn't pray for themselves or the world around them.
Luke 22:54-57 "Then took they him, and led him,and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not."
Peter sat down! He sat down because he first followed "afar off" and was then separated from the cause of Christ. Jesus is in the house of the High Priest and for no "good reason." How could Peter be so distant in such a time of need and simply sit down?
It appears that Peter failed because he prepared for failure. He could have prepared differently, but this was his choice. Peter prepared for failure in three ways by:
1. Following "Afar Off." The word of God tells us that many people followed "afar off" on that day. The gospels say that many people followed "afar off" and watched "afar off." Are we "afar off", lest the pain of what we will see and hear change us? Walking with Jesus "close up" has it's privileges and requirements. Sleeping, so often, is much easier. But, there are no rewards for resting in a time of war.
2. Doing Nothing. Luke says Peter "sat down." John says he just "stood there. "John also says that Peter was standing by the door to the entrance where Jesus was being abused and yet he never entered the building, he stood outside and got warm. Again, consumed with the needs and desires of this body.
3. Denying Jesus. We deny Jesus in different ways throughout our lives. Sometimes, it's as simple as not giving Him His way. Maybe you have never told someone you don't know Christ, but let's not worry about your mouth for a minute ……….What does your life shout?
Luke 19 says that " the enemy will come upon us on every side and lay us even with the ground when we do not know the time of our visitation from God." Our visitation is now, when Christ is talking to us and urging us to get prepared. Paying attention during a time of preparation will ensure our victory and secure the Glory and Honor of God in all that we attempt for His sake. Revelation 12 says that " the enemy knows his time is short so he comes with wrath."
What is the Lord telling you to do? Is He provoking you to get prepared for the task at hand. Listen, whether you are prepared or not, the task is still at hand! The event is still on the way. The calling still has your name on it. Preparation will makeyou excellent as you lean upon Jesus. Let it not be said today as it was in Jeremiah's day (8:20) "The harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved."
Preparing for success looks a little different for each of us. What are you doing to succeed? Are you going to the movies on Saturday night, or are you staying home to read and pray in preparation to meet the Lord in the "congregation of the saints" the next day? Are you preparing to be a blessing, or preparing to simply be blessed! Are you coming to be served all the time, or are you coming to serve another?
Don't prepare for failure by being consumed with your own desires or the words of others. The Lord is the only one around here that REALLY knows what He's talking about and He says that we can do it! May we be able to say, "Bring it on, I'm ready in the name of Jesus!" Truly,when we have done all to stand, then all that's left to do is stand! He will cause you to be glorious in what you attempt for Him!
Stories Of Glory
"I was at the altar worshipping with my eyes closed and all of a sudden I felt a "Judo-like chop "on the back of my neck. It didn't hurt, but it startled me and I thought, 'What the heck was that? 'Then, I realized that the throat condition that I have been plagued with for over a year was gone. Completely gone! I guess the Lord knocked it off into hell!"
"I came up to be healed from my Diabetes and the Lord revealed that there was secret sin in my life. I examined my heart, found it (I wasn't doing drugs any longer but WANTED TO) got delivered of it, and the Lord healed me of my Diabetes. I have a clean bill of health from the Doctor."
"Epilepsy is not a fun disease to have. I have never been able to be free of it, not since I was a child. Lately, it had gone to "the next height" so I went up for prayer and was told that Epilepsy was not my problem, but fear was. I was delivered of the fear and I have not had a Epileptic attack for a over three months now. They were weekly occurrences before, even with my medication."
"I don't deserve the Lord to be so kind to me. I have been committing adultery for two years. I went to the altar because I make myself sick. I'd had enough. I wanted the Lord to tell me that I had been found out and for him to punch me or something and snap me out of it. I didn't even care who knew, I wanted to be free. Sister hugged me and told me that the Lord loved me and asked me if I was ready to become a purified vessel. I wept so hard I wasn't sure if I could stop! After prayer a weight lifted off of me that has been on me for years, since my childhood I guess. It started with looking at pornography and now it was trying to control the rest of my life. I broke off the affair and no longer am even tempted by pornography. My wife has forgiven me and my medicine is the word of God. I take my daily dose and it keeps me healthy!"
COME TO A CALIFORNIA REVIVAL!
Interdenominational, Multi-cultural meetings with powerful times of worship. Join us from the "lost to the found," from pastors to the homeless, as we celebrate Jesus. Held on the first Friday of each month at Northeast Assembly of God in Fresno, California. 559-291-7729 and the 3rd Saturday of each month at Yosemite Lakes Community Church in Coarsegold, California. 559-897-9575
CATHEDRAL CHALLENGE!
For those of you who were at the 2003 Common Ground Retreat in Monterey, California and heard my shocking revelation ……I'm trying! Most of the time, anyway! I have determined that "Cathedral food" is generally tastier than "Temple food." However, I am prevailing with the help of the Lord. I'm hoping to "weigh in" with positive results at Queen Camp in October, you coming?!
PERSONAL NOTE
Remember, God doesn't have to be moved by what we say, (so often we say the wrong thing!) but we should be moved by what He says!
Is your love for Him acquired or inspired? If it's "acquired." then you will move in formula and procedure and in the end will "command" your God to hear your words. He won't. He doesn't have to, He's God!
If it's "inspired," then you will love Him more than words can tell and when you do speak, your mouth will be moved by a trust that words cannot explain. You will only want Him. His desires will be uttered out of your mouth as the Holy Spirit loves Jesus through you. It is then that He has given you the desires of your heart; as they were actually His desires, counted back to Him through the Holy Spirit. To trust Him lends you to true inspiration of the Holy Spirit. To simply know his name means you have acquired information. There is more, so much more and Jesus wants to take you to that place. The place of true inspiration where words lose their value and the heart soars with Christ. Be inspired this week as the Holy Spirit so lovingly calls your name!
CALENDAR
4th Quarter, 2004
September 3 "Storehouse" at Northeast Assembly
Community Worship Service, Friday at 7 pm
Fresno, CA 559-291-7729
September 10-11 "Church on The Hill " Women’s Conference
Vallejo, CA 707-644-4451
September 18 "The Celebration" at Yosemite Lakes Community Church
Community Worship Service,Saturday at 7 pm
Coarsegold, CA 1-866-851-3466
September 26-28 "Valley Christian Fellowship"
Sunday at 8:30 am and 9:50 am and 6:30 pm, Monday and Tuesday at 7 pm
Hailey, Idaho 208-788-2992
October 1 "The Storehouse" at Northeast Assembly
Community Worship Service, Friday at 7 pm
Fresno, CA 559-291-7729
October 2 "Hannston/Jones Wedding" Private ceremony
Auberry,CA
October 9-10 "Cathedral of Light" Women’s Retreat
Selma, CA 559-896-1123
October 16 "The Celebration" at Yosemite Lakes Community Church
Community Worship Service, Saturday at 7 pm
Coarsegold, CA 1-866-851-3466
October 22-24 "New Life Christian Center"
Community Outreach, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am
Portola, CA 530-832-4710
October 29-31 "Abba’s Heart Queen Camp" at Tenaya Lodge
Yosemite National Park, CA 559-897-9575
November 5 "The Storehouse" at Northeast Assembly
Community Worship Service, Friday at 7 pm
Fresno, CA 559-291-7729
November 6 "Espana Wedding" Private ceremony at 11 am
Fresno, CA
November 7-9 "Harvest Fellowship Church of God"
Community Outreach Sunday morning and Monday and Tuesday evening
Reno, NV 775-826-3460
November 13-14 "The Christian Center of Desert Hot Springs"
Community Outreach Saturday evening at 6 pm and Sunday at 10 am and 6 pm
Desert Hot Springs, CA 760-329-5076
November 20 "The Celebration" at Yosemite Lakes Community Church
Community Worship Service, Saturday at 7 pm
Coarsegold, CA 1-866-851-3466
November 28 "Abundant Hope" Women’s Ministry
Women’s meeting one night only
Fresno, CA 559-291-7729
December 3 "The Storehouse" at Northeast Assembly
Community Worship Service, Friday at 7 pm
Fresno, CA 559-291-7729
|
