Day 18 AWAKENING 2012

I heard or read somewhere that "WORRY IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF SPIRITUAL ARROGANCE." I thought to myself WOW! that is a strong statement. Then I began to meditate on this in the light of scripture.

Matt 6:34
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. NKJV

When we waste time, energy, and effort in worry we are really telling God, "I GOT THIS." When in reality we do not because we should be praying for the answer to our circumstance to a God who is ready willing and able to bring us the answers that we need (not necessarily want). We have chosen the path of pride and arrogance that says, "I CAN DO THIS, I CAN HANDLE THIS, I HAVE THE ANSWER TO THIS." When there is really no way that we do or we would not be worried. The "what ifs" and the "if onlys" are signs that we have not been praying enough.

AWAKE 21 has given God the space for us to focus our energy and faith on God's truth and answers for the dramas of life. Take it to God as quickly as possible.

^{Philippians 4}

^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. MESSAGE 

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.

Oswald Chambers

Lets repent of our arrogance and be bold and quick to take all our drama to Jesus.

Loving God - Loving People

Ed

Day 17 AWAKENING 2012

THIS IS BREAK THROUGH WEEK FOR AWAKE 21!!

I  have three observations for you that I believe will encourage to finish strong.

1. The devil only attacks us if we are on the right track. Opposition is usually a sign that you have made head way and you are doing damage to the devil's kingdom. (See Luke 4 how Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days before entering public ministry - the enemy attacked)

2. It really is true that with out prayer and fasting some things just will not happen.(see Matthew 9:20,21) Prayer and fasting is that SMART BOMB that zeroes in on the exact poiint that change needs to happen. That change is usually in us and not others: our thinking, our words, living out of our feelings rather than our faith. Just to name a few.

3. Jesus said that we would fast so we should. (see Matthew 9:14-17) Please consider making prayer and fasting a part of your regular spiritual disciplines. Many of us will move into worry and complaining rather than going into a brief time of prayer and fasting that will help us hit the RESET BUTTON on all drama and decisions that we wrestle with.

Finally, I have noticed that my perspectives on people, places, and circumstances has totally changed during these days of AWAKENING 2012. They have definitely changed for the better! That does not mean that there are not still challenges out there but it does mean I look at them differently now.

BREAK THROUGH TODAY!!!
Ed

Day 14 AWAKENING 2012

Matt 11:28-30

 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 

NKJV

Many of us need to "come apart" before we COME APART. Do you know what I mean? We have all  been there!! Come be honest with the mirror. These days of prayer and fasting have been working these truths in me as I DRAW NEAR. My prayer for you is that you will experience this rest.

The Lord uses the word REST twice in three verses. I believe that they are two distinctly different kinds of REST.

1. The REST that the weary heavy laden sinner ( does not know Jesus ) needs is available if they will COME TO HIM. 

The overburdened person who carries unnecessarily the shame and guilt of a life that at best can be described as "HEAVY LADEN." Hear Him inviting them to COME AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST that only a SAVIOR CAN GIVE. Lay your life down at His nail pierced feet and SURRENDER.

2. The REST that comes to the BELIEVER as they 100% SURRENDER to Christ.

They learn from Him and yes they become the D word - DISCIPLE (a learner under discipline). This Christ following business cannot be double minded nor can be enticed away by the world to just be content to live our lives however we want and just add Jesus like an additional accessory that we want to add to a new car. TRUE REST ONLY COMES FROM TRUE SURRENDER.

Matt 6:10

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

NKJV

It does not matter which REST that you need they are both readily available to those who will TOTALLY SURRENDER TO HIM. If you need Jesus as your SAVIOR just ask Him to be your LORD AND SAVIOR. If you have lost your FIRST LOVE go back to that place on the mountain top and just SURRENDER YOUR WILL FOR HIS.

COMING TO JESUS DAILY

Ed

Day 12 AWAKENING 2012

We are more than half way - BE STRENGTHEN IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT!!

Luke 24:30-32
30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"  NKJV

The resurrected Lord Jesus had revealed Himself to some followers but they did not recognized Him. How often do we not recognize His presence among us. This AWAKENING time has cause me to be acutely aware of when I am in His presence and when I am not. Of course He is always there for me but I have been the one to drift off into other arenas.

They finally recognized Him once He broke bread with them. One translation said that their eyes were "INSTANTLY OPENED" and they were able to recognize with whom they had been walking and talking with. Like us we cruise through life not knowing that He is right there with us and it usually takes broken bread (the Bible) to open up our ears and hearts (Matt 4:4).

They knew that something was different about this man as He walked and talked with them along the Emmaus road. They recalled how "our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road" which is just like us because we know that He is speaking and our hearts are on fire yet we choose to ignore it. AT WHAT COST DO WE DO THIS?

Lets carry over our awareness of Him from this 21 days of AWAKENING. I pray that our hearts will continue to burn with the power of His WORDS.

Be Blessed,
Ed