May 19, 2010

• The Center of Everything...

  Today I was reading through the last chapter of the Bible and found myself meditating on these two verses, "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month.  The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" (Revelation 22:1-2, ESV).

  In the center of heaven is the river of life, known as the Holy Spirit.  John 7:38-39a says, "'Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'  Now this he said about the Spirit."

  I believe as we get our identity set in who we are in God and receive the full revelation of the Cross (1Corinthians 2:2), God is going to release His glory through us and through the church (the family of believers).  No longer will sin or failure or selfish desire be our focus, but rather there will be grace, freedom, and pure love and healing flowing through us.  As we set Him as our center, there is nothing that can shake us.

  Just yesterday I had to "have a talk" with one of the young teenage girls that I teach English to at the children's home.  She has been rebelling and simply tough to talk to over the past few months and I have gotten pretty discouraged a number of times after trying to both discipline her but also be sensitive to her condition.  God has been making me stronger though.  I continue to speak the truth of God's Word over myself and declare my joy, my strength, my wisdom, and my love are all from Him and are working through me.  I also declare God's love and truth over the children in prayer.  These kids are so fragile that they need a lot of sensitivity, but at the same time they also need firm discipline.  I sat down with her and spoke clearly with her in Korean and God really guided my words... words of love, discipline, and guidance to her.  Her initial response was just head nods and a mumblings of "Yes" before leaving.  But I still felt strong and joyful.  Later in the evening she was normal with me in talking and smiling and I could tell the walls against me that had been put up around her had been broken down.  I know only God can do that.  His love is powerful!

  My prayer is that the Holy Spirit become more and more welcome and honored within the church that His presence become the center.  The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives within us (Romans 8:11), but so rarely is that revelation meditated upon.  I know as He becomes the center that healing is going to be released in every aspect of life and in every season we are living in.  If the center of heaven is the Spirit which leads to the throne of God, then I want the Spirit to be the center of my life as well, leading me to clear, intimate worship before the throne of God.

  God bless!

  • 11:08 pm
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