Tuesday, August 12, 2008

God Uses...

...ORDINARY PEOPLE!

"Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, ‘Light up the darkness!' and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us."
(2 Corinthians 4:5-7 – The Message)


Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I know that God uses ordinary people like me to do extraordinary things!

Today I will remember that the Kingdom is "at hand" — it is within my reach, in my everyday experiences. It is here, where I am, and God wants to take what I already have in my hand, and turn it into a key of the Kingdom!

Today I will look for the significant and profound things to be revealed within the context of the familiar and recognizable ("And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘THIS is My body . . . likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘THIS cup is . . . My blood . . ." Luke 22:19, 20). I will seek a revelation today of the power of understanding what "THIS" is for me in the now.
















Today I will lay my little limited lunch of loaves and fish at the feet of Jesus so that He can feed thousands by multiplying my finite resources! He uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and, as I follow Him closely, He will turn the water in my life into the finest wine! And if it seems that He is taking too long in the manifestation of the miracle, it is simply because he is saving the best for last!


Today I will be myself because God wants to use me just as I am!

Today I will not complain about what I don't have, but I will plant seeds of faith, with a vision for the future, expecting a great harvest in my life. God is increasing me as I enter my season of maturity and manifestation.
















Today I will allow God to supernaturally make something special out of my simple life. I will do great things today, and today I will live in the now!


Father, use what I have in my hand today for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

23 comments:

Erik said...

A Day of Destiny , here are my limited loaves and fishes today.

I heard this wonderful, Spirit filled messenger of God say mere days ago ‘ The Spirit of God is alive and well, and we are part of something awesome ‘. Described the day as a day of destiny, unlike any other day we had ever lived (so far). There are still great things to be done in this city, day after day of destiny to experience.

The perks of presence. Sharing a few seconds in a video clip with all of the God appointed people on it, sharing that bit of early harvest that Bishop and Pastor Debye have so contributed to cultivating in these decades --humbling.

This is destiny for all of us in this body of CITN. There are many others throughout the world, and the actualization of what we are doing is being sewn together, across this physical realm, as it has already been done in The Spirit. It was a day of destiny for all of us. As we change ourselves, as we transform, to see without struggle, every other person we see, hear of, read of, think of, first as someone who God loves like God loves us, and that they are indeed and fact our brother and sister. We change the dynamic of the world. This is something every one of us is able to do. We all are able to edify every other one without diminishing ourselves, to see God in each one as we see God in ourselves. No diminishment of ourselves or of any other. We are born with this ability.

In this physical realm, We act –

Every day, act kindly, ask for forgiveness easily and forgive readily. We live the dream, we live from the mountain top, from the Tree of Life.

Contact our Senators, Representatives, The White House – support the proposal to the UN to establish a Faith Council, equal to the Security Council – (God offers a lot more security than missiles and money) . Establish the definition of Human Rights as God centered. (Does anybody hear the Dec of Independence there?)

Speak Peace, Truth in Love, without agendas to everyone. Not lofty, but real. No special language needed, just seeing God in each. A real God in real people. Natural. Our Spirits are unlimited.

Increase our effectiveness in what we put our hands to. In this country especially, we are blessed materially. We have access, choices, availability and opportunity. There is no limit in material abundance. Combine this with our Spiritual abundance, and we transform perception. Create without waste. We receive that God made us a little lower than Elohim, and live fully in that.

This is real. It is at hand. Employ, Apply.

Sometimes we do simply screwy stuff. ( I’ve been there) The government of the country of Georgia can employ seeking forgiveness, what were they thinking? Someone does not want o be a part of you, and a decade later you attack them and their protector, who happens to have a major world military and a bone to pick with you. Super ouch !!!! mix foolish pride, along with little thought of your friend, The US? Quickly, ask for forgiveness, confess your error, show love and respect first, and know that group of people have left you and move on. They are truly beyond your command. Sackcloth and ashes worked for David, it will work for you too! Support them with everything you have to repair the damage you caused and help them get back on their feet the best you can. This is the surest way to peace and some respect for the government. Change yourselves and change the paradigm. Godspeed.

It is at hand. Light overcomes the darkness.

Did anyone appreciate the crazy political irony that our government supports Taiwan separate from China, but not those desires of South Ossetia as they separated from Georgia? That Russia is perceived as the defender of freedom and self determination and we (The US) support the oppressors? That is NOT our destiny. Hmmmm, maybe other nations in conflict we know well, could also seek forgiveness, try some ashes and sackcloth like David did? Times they are a changin’. What are those Georgian women like? (Beattles – Back in the USSR) .

See, why Global Peace is so sane, and this stuff, whatever you want to call it, ‘Political bedfellows’ or political whores, is so completely insane? What a different world of reality in Washington Saturday, and the insanity of pride and nationalism we witnessed in the country if Georgia, on all sides. This is why we evangel the reality that all of each one is indeed family to each of us.

Hey, as an aside, my immediate family (I am 1st generation in the US) experienced the occupation of the Soviet Union, but also saw that they themselves were part of that development. Took 50 years to change. I personally witnessed that change. It is beautiful. The beam in our own eye is always the one that should get 1st attention, to find the most expedient path to peace.

What am I doing up at this hour?

Anonymous said...

Yesterday, done gone.

Tomorrow, not sure.

Today, NOW, that's what I'm talkin'

about.

Lord, today, blast me into whatever

situation needs me blasted into.

If I reach out, that it's you

doin'the reachin', if I speak

out, that it's you doin' the

speakin'. No matter what I do

in you today, I will know that I

know it's you doin' it thru me.

It's mind boggling to think that

some of the supernatural things

that will get accomplished today,

will be done by ordinary people,

simply because they say, yes Lord.

Ordinary people ROCK!!!

Nothing to lose.

Anonymous said...

I appreciate that out of the many definitions of the word "ordinary", this resonates most in my spirit: Having or constituting immediate or original jurisdiction (the power, right or authority to interpret & apply the law). Or the authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate.

Anonymous said...

I can totally get the team concept represented by God working through me and using my ordinary talents, skills and abilities to accomplish some seemingly extraordinary things but Woah Buddy!, when the truly miraculous is done, it is still a breath taking blast to me.

Erik, first I completely agree with the idea of a faith council. The thought of a country being able to seek and obtain sanctuary long enough to have their side of an issue heard before the politicians swoop down from their vulturous watch to better see what advantage they can get is a principle that has worked effectively in past histories and will still work today as long as the faith council does not become the dominant force in policy making.

Also I gotta tell you this because it was too funny this morning when you asked the question, " What are those Georgia women like? " My first thought was that the Soviet Georgia of the past was touted as having the oldest average aged citizens in the world who were mostly women and all I could envision was hundred fifty year old women belly dancing. I should live to see that for just having such a thought. Actually, with the progress of medical science perhaps I will and they will probably look pretty good. Sometimes I just break myself up. For those hundred fifty year old people out there who are offended please forgive me, its the thought that counts.

JB

Son of Zadok said...

Mary Mary - Ordinary People

There are so many people I look up to
Used to tell them I wanna be just
Like you
Then God took ordinary me
And gave me a chance
And everyday I gotta thank him for
Where I am

I'm just ordinary people
Who found extraordinary love
Sometimes it's hard to believe
That God keeps loving me so much

I looked in the mirror, I saw average
You looked down from heaven, you saw
A gift
Still can't figure out why you
Loved me so but that's what makes
You God
I guess I'll never know `cause

I'm just ordinary people
Who found extraordinary love
Sometimes it's hard to believe
That God keeps loving me so much

Listen to me, I can tell you how it goes
God can take a nobody
Who no one knows
Make `em more than you ever could be
Ask me how I know, he did it for me

I'm just ordinary people
Who found extraordinary love
Sometimes it's hard to believe
That God keeps loving me so much

youtube.com/watch?v=pv-Y2qOia5g

Anonymous said...

The attacks on Georgia have ceased,
so the news says. We can't however
stop praying for their peace. Russia, in the name of Jesus, go home.

NTL

Erik said...

Live example of paradigm shifts. Love at the core of the issue between Georgia and Russia, as opposed to the geo-political issues, pipelines, allies, etc.

We have the opportunity to be straight. As we say to Russia, leave, when in geo political paradigms, they acted very appropriately. They were attacked, as was an area they promised protection to. They went forward and damaged the military that was the aggressor (ring a bell, Kuwait? ) Russia has pointed to our hypocrisy. What about Iraq 2? No threat, no aggression, under our thumb at the time, and yet … ?

In Love and shared family, we would not speak out of both sides of our mouth for political needs.

Maybe that is what Russia is today, iron sharpening iron, for us as we see our own areas of hypocrisy, pay attention to it and stop, so we fulfill our destiny as a nation. Unlike any other nation, preferring embracing all as our family over fleeting political gain. Someone will always make a bigger gun, a faster jet, have more money; politics of influence and temporal power never lasts, it is running out the minute it is seized. Focusing on connecting, including, acting in God’s love has the only lasting value. Ultimately, we all will go willingly or be drug to our destiny.

Remember the Pharisees could not accept that Jesus was not a military and political leader, but Jesus had a far more real power. The military and politicos of that day are forgotten and gone, as will the militaries and politicos of today, no real value. The real empire is in Love, for God, ourselves, each other. We all know this. We all act, and reshape the paradigm of those we call our leaders.

Anonymous said...

erik,
My heart cry is for the innocent,
the uninvolved. I still have in me the view point that when a tail needs kickin', a tail needs kickin.
If in this case, justice has been served, ok. Russia go home, Georgia lick your wounds, and don't get spanked twice for doing the same thing. And that peace can overtake the whole situation.

erik, my brother, is all good.

NTL

Lise said...

U2 is one of my very favorite bands... EVER! And "God Part II" is one of my favorite songs of theirs. The core message is that, despite all of the 'junk,' love conquers all. Years ago, a line from that song stuck in my head like glue. Came to find out that it was a reference to a Bruce Cockburn song, "Lovers in a Dangerous Time." In "God Part II," it reads: "Heard a singer on the radio late last night, says he's 'gonna kick the darkness till it bleeds daylight.'" I love that! We all have to fight the darkness at times, but the Light always wins! I wasn't familiar with Cockburn's song, but the here are the lyrics to "Lovers in a Dangerous Time":

Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by
You never get to stop and open your eyes
One day you're waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time

These fragile bodies of touch and taste
This vibrant skin -- this hair like lace
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Never a breath you can afford to waste
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime --
But nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight --
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
And we're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time

-----------------------------------

And a couple great quotes:

"Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people." - Harry Emerson Fosdick

"We are apt to mistake our vocation by looking out of the way for occasions to exercise great and rare virtues, and by stepping over the ordinary ones that lie directly in the road before us." - Hannah Moore

And I just CAN'T leave this one out:

"Your life is an occasion, rise to it." - Mr. Magorium

Anonymous said...

("And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘THIS is My body . . . My blood . . ." Luke 22:19, 20). I will seek a revelation today of the power of understanding what "THIS" is for me in the now.

“This” for me, signifies Jesus' mastery over Himself; compliance with & reliance on Abba. I wonder (sometimes, for days) about how God communed w/Himself before the foundation of the world.

Jesus gave & took His own life (John 10:17, 18) & His own sweet time (John 11:15)!

He gave thanks for illumination (Matthew 11:25).

He broke the earth’s womb – (Matthew 27:51) & forth into joy – like in verse 50

"Today I will look for the significant and profound things to be revealed within the context of the familiar and recognizable."

He gave – everything. And, sometimes The Answer gave no answers! (John 19:9)

My daily bread (rice cakes) for a few weeks: Remember when Jesus said (Luke 22:31) that satan desired to sift Simon? For some reason, I kept returning to the words “sift”, as in flour.

Winnowing involves air currents. I didn’t see that before. (Jesus so loves the world, that He allowed Himself to be winnowed by the Holy Spirit)

His statement made me wonder what grain Peter was before he was converted. In God’s plan, it had to be Jesus (incorruptible seed) planted in the earth, to yield a harvest of righteousness.

Ironic, how God prevented words from other prophets from falling to the ground. But, Jesus is the Word that dove to the ground & THIS pleases the Father!

Son of Zadok said...

I jumped to some early conclusions myself about the situation in Georgia. But Erik's right; their is more going on than meets the eye.

I'm currently reading a book called The Shack. You may have heard of it. I know it's been mentioned on the blog once already. I'm almost a third of the way through and it's quite touching, provoking, fascinating, and enthralling. With today's theme of ordinary people; I found this passage I just read a few moments ago rather apropos.

Mack was hanging in there, trying his best to follow her train of thought.
"When we spoke ourselves into human existence as the Son of God, we became fully human. We also chose to embrace all the limitations that this entailed. Even though we have always been present in this created universe, we now became flesh and blood. It would be like this bird, whose nature is to fly, choosing only to walk and remain grounded. He doesn't stop being a bird, but it does alter his experience of life significantly."
She paused to make sure Mack was still tracking. While there was a definite cramp forming in his brain, he voiced an "Okay...?" inviting her to continue.
"Although by nature he is fully God, Jesus is fully human and lives as such. While never losing the innate ability to fly, he chooses moment-by-moment to remain grounded. That is why his name is Immanuel, God with us, or God with you, to be more precise."
"But what about the miracles? The healings? Raising people from the dead? Doesn't that prove Jesus was God - you know, more than human?"
"No, it proves that Jesus is truly human."
"What?"
"Mackenzie, I can fly, but humans can't. Jesus is fully human. Although he is also fully God, he has never drawn upon his nature as God to do anything. He has only lived out of his relationship with me, living in the very same manner that I desire to be in relationship with every human being. He is just the first to do it to the uttermost-the first to absolutely trust my life within him, the first to believe in my love and my goodness without regard for appearance or consequence."
"So when he healed the blind?"
"He did so as a dependent, limited human being trusting in my life and power to be at work within him and through him. Jesus, as a human being, had no power within himself to heal anyone."
That came as a shock to Mack's religious system.
"Only as he rested in his relationship with me, and in our communion-our co-union-could he express my heart and will into any given circumstance. So, when you look at Jesus and it appears he's flying, he really is...flying. But what you are actually seeing is me; my life in him. That's how he lives and acts as a true human, how every human is designed to live-out of my life."
"A bird's not defined by being grounded but by his ability to fly. Remember this, humans are not defined by their limitations, but by the intentions I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my image."

Larry Usher said...

Great exhortation today Bishop!
We are indeed ambassadors, not from the USA, but from the Kingdom of God. I have to keep reminding myself of that lest I become overly political. Far be it from me to figure out all the world's political/border/jurisdiction squabbles. But one thing I can do: Let the Light burn bright!

And just for the record- Iraq wasn't this lilly white country just sitting there minding their own business- Saddam Hussein amongst other acts was paying $25K in blood money to families of suicide bombers in Israel/Palestine, firing missles at jets policing the no fly zones above Kuwait and thumbing his nose at inspectors trying to verify the destruction of WMDs and nuclear materials per U.N. orders. Not to mention the flagrant abuses of the UN's "Oil-for-Food" program in which many countries propped up Hussein with illegal cash monies directly to him rather than for food for his people.
The world systems can be very, very dirty little businesses and not one country is without fault or pure as the driven snow.
There is but one Sovereign that has the right and the holiness to rule, the rest of human attempts are nothing but filthy rags in comparison.
Bishop, I loved you touching on not using the phrase "God & country" as if they were somehow tethered inseparably to one another. No matter where we were raised, Heaven is still our eternal destination and the Kingdom of God our true birthright as those who have been grafted in subsequent to "the firstborn of many children".

It is an honor to be considered worthy as clay to be molded by the hands of the Potter.

Blessings & peace,

Larry

Son of Zadok said...

Hey Elle,

This is kinda crazy, but that book I'm reading. Well you had mentioned earlier a song by Bruce Cockburn. Well, I've never heard of him myself. I'm sure he's famous and really good. Well anyways, are you ready for this, in this book God starts talking about Bruce Cockburn and I'm here a few minutes ago like whoa...isn't that the guy Elle was just talking about. Here's the part. One part of God is a black woman in the book.

God singing:

"Oh love that fires the sun, keep me burning."

"You know," she exclaimed, "I love that child's songs! I am especially fond of Bruce, you know. Yup, and I know you like him to"

Maybe that was just for you..:)

Truly God speaks to us here.

Son of Zadok said...

I guess just sit back with the Holy Spirit & enjoy Elle, I'm kinda trippin.

Bruce Cockburn
Lovers In A Dangerous Time

youtube.com/watch?v=8dGNDUdtNh8

Bruce Cockburn
Lord of the Starfields

youtube.com/watch?v=jSn685H5CR4

Anonymous said...

I'm in a little bit of a dash 'cause times they are a changin' but I believe this is for someone, I'll share more (God willin') about it tomorrow because it really affected me tremendously today.

...it takes more than looking at your Jericho for it to come down and things to change. Encompass it...walk around it...then SHOUT IT DOWN, SHOUT IT DOWN...and it WILL come down...and God will help you clear away the rubble and the dust and build the new thing, the new building within you or your life that needs to be built. He is the architect, foreman and supplier for every need. He'll show you how to build the walls of a new stronghold in your life for His glory. Mistakes, yes, but He is there to make sure it will be built right and complete. He'll send others to help and support you.
-Selah

Lise said...

SOZ,

How freaky IS that?!?!? God is just too wild for words sometimes!
The only reason that I know Bruce Cockburn's name is because he was given credit for that line in "God Part II." It's just an intriguing lyric to me, and I'm sure there is a painting in there somewhere for me... I have an idea or two, but we'll see. And thanks for the YouTube references. How ironic that in "Lord of the Starfields" gothgod (who compiled the video) used all kinds of artwork. Is that cool or what?! That was a great song, too, BTW!

So, I join you in trippin'! And I'm reminded of Kim Clement's meeting at CITN that Saturday night. I streamed. The most poignant thing he said (in my opinion) was that God wanted us to tell Him something He hadn't heard a million times before. That really stuck with me.

So, God, THIS one's for You...
YOU, my friend, are a TRIP!!!

tracy said...

SOZ_SOOOOOOOO glad you mentioned the book again! I am now almost 3/4 finished and I keep having to stop to soak in all that it entails. Everyday I have wanted to get on the blog and encourage people to read it-Just wait, it only gets better. PLEASE let me know when you get to page 162-163-makes me think of the whole reconciliation belief system. It makes it so simple. I want to clap my hands like a little girl because it is like someone else is receiving the gift that I am receiving from this book. Usually when I read to my husband at night(unless it is a Bishop book) he can't wait for me to shut up. Now he is saying come in here and read to me! Elle- go get it, Icono you will love it, Iris, Izumi,NTL Erik-all of the terminology about the garden and the food reminds me of you,Donald it might even bring a tear to your eye...Mystic, Scribe, Sweetpea if I forgot anybody sorry, this just really made me excited! (Larry, Karl, JB, Scribe.....)

Son of Zadok said...

Tracy,

I've been reading it all day and am on the last 50 pages now. Truly a work of the Spirit for such a time as this. I also highly encourage anyone who feels led to pick up a copy. Then when your done, give it one of your religious friends! Ha-ha.

K, Back to the book. I can't put it down.

DoubleBack Alley said...

Sahib,

Could it be that we are doing the thing that needs doing? How is it that in all the world, where there seems to be no peace, that we are blessed to entertain a global peace fest? Unlike the rest of the planet, I believe we put a premium on peace. Call it naiveté on my part, but I believe the vision in our nation has been for the utmost good and peace of the world. Koreans, Americans of all ethnicities, Europeans, Africans and representatives of nearly all peoples were at the Global Peace Festival and were safe, because they chose a place of peace to be at peace.

Let us join hands in that most uncommon of natural resources today and say that we are in agreement that we can make a difference and conceptualize peace in this world. Once a person experiences peace in one’s own realm, then it can be made manifest in the world outside one’s self. No where is that more evident than in my own experience. Getting outside of my own needs and wants, I was able to experience a miracle recently. I gave the universe a chance to work in my life in a situation that I could have easily handled and been justified in doing so. Not wanting to have my way, but allowing peace to reign (rain?) proved the day for me. Only when I allow peace locally can I partake of it globally and make a difference in my world and the world around me - it begins one peace at a time.

Ain’t God Good?

Anonymous said...

soz, Tracy,
My wife and I both finished the book last week, KEEP READING!!!!!!

NTL

Anonymous said...

Just a thought for those who think.

New word: econo-me > me realizing, that I can make thrifty work, in my favor. Need something? Yard sales rock. Those that have gotten rich, who started with nothing, make thrifty work for them, way after they make it to the top. Just a thought, and hey, we are gonna all make it through this time of adjustments, you got it?

Nothing to lose.

Donald said...

Although I am talking about ordinary people, I don’t think this is exactly in line with the context of the blog topic.
I am not a huge fan of the Olympics but I am a huge fan of the men’s gymnastics competition. And I must admit that I have been captivated by the men’s swim team.
But, based on a lot of the exposure I have had recently concerning global peace I can’t seem to observe people from other cultures without realizing that we are so much alike.
I remember watching the Olympics when I was a child and being told that the competitors from communist countries were not allowed to have normal family lives like what we have. They were taken from their families when they were small children and forced to learn their sport and that nothing else mattered. We were told that they had no choice in the matter and that if they did not perform as expected that when they returned home they would be killed or imprisoned.
Obviously that sounds far-fetched, but since we were in the middle of the cold war during that period, it wasn’t too difficult for me to believe, especially with all the propaganda surrounding that period.
I didn’t just figure out this year that that was not true, but as I have been watching some of the competitions this week I understand more and more how untrue it really is.
As I watch the athletes from other countries high five their fellow athletes and embrace each other and watch them look for family members in the audience so that they can enjoy the moment with them I realize more and more that the same people that I once thought were deprived of normal human relations and were even sinister by nature are just “ordinary people”.
Strangely enough the thing that really hit home on this subject and made me really see how similar we are is when one of the men on the Chinese gymnastics team was sitting in a chair after doing his routine and was removing the wrapping from his hands. He leaned over and tossed a piece of it in a little garbage can that was sitting a couple of chairs away from him and I started thinking about how that looked just like something that I would do and anyone else in our culture would do.

Anonymous said...

JUST AN ORDINARY GUY…..SAYING HEY ALL….IM HERE

LOVE, PEAS AND JOY
HAHAHAH

I JUST SEEN WHAT I WROTE

TOO TIRED….GOING TO BED

LOVE,
ICLST