REORDERING ONE’S PRIVATE WORLD; THE DISCIPLINE OF SIMPLICITY

Everything around us works against reordering and simplifying our lives. Ours is a cluttered and complicated world. God did not create it that way. We as restless humanity has made it that way. “God has made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated.” Ecclesiastes 7:29

1. Advertisements have one major goal; to make us discontented, dissatisfied with who we are and what we have. This is so we will acquire what they offer. And we do just that!!! We want more and more; ENOUGH IS NEVER ENOUGH. 2. Competition is another way the world has to get us discontent. You meet the goal and then the goal is set even higher. Relaxing is never an option. Size is never sufficient. We not only compete but we are driven to win. Not only do we acquire things, but we keep, and we accumulate. We want more and we must spend more and then spend more time maintaining those things. Staying ahead in this maddening pace leaves us strained, fretful and breathless. Since we know that God is not the author of confusion we begin to feel an emptiness within our being. The place where only God is able to fill.

To reorder one’s own world, the need to simplify is important. If we do not, we will find ourselves unable to be at rest within; unable to enter the deep silent areas of our hearts, where God’s words are communicated to us. If we live very long in this state our hearts grow cold toward Jesus and we become sucked back into the way of the world. “I am afraid lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” 11 Corinthians 11:3

How can we be led astray as a Christian? It can happen in the most unsuspected places; in a home where every member of the family is a Christian. . . in a church where truth is taught and Christ is exalted. . . even in the heart of a Christian who is in full time ministry. It is in the act of BUSYNESS where the enemy rears its ugly head.

3. Envy is another avenue that the enemy will use to pull you away. The attitude of judging, comparing and regretting or feeling proud, turns our focus from the things of God and becomes hooked on others as well as ourselves. Instead of being contented, we are consumed by envy. Our standard of contentment is raised so high, we can never measure up.

In the initial move toward cultivating intimacy with God, it is essential that we reorder our private lives. That requires us to slow our pace as well as stop the envy. Both of these tasks have to be done by ourselves. No one else can do this for us.

To get rid of the clutter in our lives, simplicity isn’t just nice - it is essential. But neither is it automatic; it will call forth intense determination. So get ready and begin to order your life with intent.

A.S.A.P.

Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.
There is work to do, deadlines to meet;
You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry
A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare
Do your best; let God do the rest -
A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear
Slow down and take a breather -
A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is
He wants to ease our cares
He will respond to your needs
A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

Author unknown

BEYOND THE VEIL THROUGH PRAYER AND WORSHIP FINDING INTIMACY WITH THE FATHER

I did a Bible Study on this topic a few years back and it has changed my life so much. (Book by Alice Smith; Beyond the veil, entering into intimacy with God through prayer). Prayer is the key to hearing from God; Him hearing from you and receiving answers to the hard questions of life. Read this short study and allow the Holy Spirit to make a change in the way you think about prayer.

There is only one power on earth that commands the power of heaven - PRAYER. If we humble ourselves and cry out to God then God will begin to pour His Spirit out on His people. BURNING, BELIEVING, PREVAILING, PERSUADING, PERSERVERING, INTIMATE PRAYER ALWAYS PRECEDES A MOVE OF GOD. Jesus took time to be alone with God. This is how you hear from God; Luke 22:39, John 8:1 (early in the morning). You cannot minister to others until you have spent time with God.

CHOSEN TO PARTNER; We can learn of Him by building a relationship with Him. And that relationship is formed as we invest intimate times of listening, learning to trust through obedience to His Word and living in oneness with Him - abiding in Him.
John 15:7. The Lord will entrust the powerful things of His Kingdom to those who have found an abiding place in Him. As we learn intimacy with the Father our hearts become one. As our hearts touch the Father’s heart, we assume the same rhythm, the same desires and the same goals. The more we know Him, the more we love Him. Hopelessly in love with Him, our goals are lost in His. But if we choose not to participate, He will find another. Isaiah 59:16.

Life changing results begin in the prayer closet. It happens as a result of Intercession. And it is only out of an intimate relationship that intercession will flow. When we get serious about prayer, then the fasting, the tears and travail of intercession will cause the bowls of incense in heaven to overflow; Revelation 5:8, Revelation 8: 3-4. In the heavenlies, before the throne of God, the prayers of the saints rise as incense to the Father and He smells the sweetness of our cries. Our prayers coupled with the Father’s great unlimited compassion for His children will set into motion the greatest outpouring of his Spirit the world has ever seen.

WORSHIP AND INTERCESSION - “the harp and the bowl” Revelation 5:8 are the priestly duties of the believer and the chief activities in heaven. See how worship and intercession is described in heaven; Revelation 4:5, 8-11. When we enter this type of worship and praise then we have entered into intimacy with the Father. This is what He had been desiring of us. Worship and intercession CAUSES DESTRUCTION IN THE ENEMY CAMP. Both worship and intercession is to be about the FATHERS HEART, NOT ABOUT OUR PROBLEMS. We have the great honor of joining hands with a victorious Lord to dispel the darkness of satans dominion in the lives of others.
1Peter 2:9. PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING need to outweigh your petition to God or you are out of balance.

WAYS TO WORSHIP - Read scripture out loud; Ps.63: 3-11, 86; 18:32-40, 55:17-23, 140:1-8, 144:1-9. Vocalize thanksgiving to God for what He has done. Sing Scripture. Make up a list of names of the Trinity from scripture;
ALL POWERFUL - BREAD OF LIFE - FATHER - BRIDEGROOM - LORD - JEHOVAH - GENTLE - APPLE OF MY EYE - KING OF ALL AGES
Thanks for reading, Leola

Draw from His well of life: Today, right now

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
Jeremiah 29: 11-14

How many times have you sat around wondering if God really loves you? If He actually has a plan for you? Is He aware of what is happening to you? I am here to tell you that, yes, He really does care! He is there for you when you are facing uncertainty or questions about the future. He is always available, willing and eager to hear from you. Jeremiah tells us; “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. He wants you to know, today, how much He loves you. He wants you to experience His love deeply in your life. Not just a surface relationship, but one that is deeply engrained in His word. One that will be lasting and satisfying. In order for that to happen you need to spend time in His word; reading His promises and hearing from Him. Only then can you take what you have heard and share with others who need to hear that particular message. THANKS for listening, Leola