LIVE UP God's dreams. L-Lean, listen and learn. I- Infuse reality with grace. V-Voice out truth. E-Embrace servanthood.
U - Unceasingly Watch and Pray. The way to God's dream is narrow and difficult, and there are only few who finds it (Matthew 7:14). It is so narrow and steep that no one can get there without casting aside all encumbrances, baggage or own agendas; and only by taking hold of the rope that God provides, can it be made passable. UP. "I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- from where comes my help. My help comes from the Lord..." (Psalm 121:1,2)
As we learn more of Him, grow in His grace through His Word, and daily die to self, claiming His power and His own life, we are daily living up to His dreams for us. And as we do so, let us never forget to reflect on all that He is doing for us, and who He is to us, and where we would be without Him. All our lives, all our significance is only found in Him. We who are nothing is something in Him. We need to ponder on all this and praise Him. Understand God's Heart. We will not willingly follow God's dream for us if we don't understand who He is. We need to know Him to be able to follow Him with delight.
U - Unceasingly Watch and Pray. The way to God's dream is narrow and difficult, and there are only few who finds it (Matthew 7:14). It is so narrow and steep that no one can get there without casting aside all encumbrances, baggage or own agendas; and only by taking hold of the rope that God provides, can it be made passable. UP. "I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- from where comes my help. My help comes from the Lord..." (Psalm 121:1,2)
One favorite writer described the journey this way:
A portion of the great assembly started out prepared to journey. We had heavily loaded wagons. As we journeyed, the road seemed to ascend. On one side of this road was a deep precipice; on the other was a high, smooth, white wall, like the hard finish upon plastered rooms.
As we journeyed on, the road grew narrower and steeper. In some places it seemed so very narrow that we concluded that we could no longer travel with the loaded wagons. We then loosed them from the horses, took a portion of the luggage from the wagons and placed it upon the horses, and journeyed on horseback.
As we progressed, the path still continued to grow narrow. We were obliged to press close to the wall, to save ourselves from falling off the narrow road down the steep precipice. As we did this, the luggage on the horses pressed against the wall, and caused us to sway toward the precipice. We feared that we should fall, and be dashed in pieces on the rocks. We then cut the luggage from the horses, and it fell over the precipice. We continued on horseback, greatly fearing, as we came to the narrower places in the road, that we should lose our balance, and fall.
As the path grew more narrow, we decided that we could no longer go with safety on horseback, and we left the horses and went on foot, in single file, one following in the footsteps of another. At this point small cords were let down from the top of the pure white wall; these we eagerly grasped, to aid us in keeping our balance upon the path. As we traveled, the cord moved along with us. The path finally became so narrow that we concluded that we could travel more safely without our shoes; so we slipped them from our feet, and went on some distance without them. Soon it was decided that we could travel more safely without our stockings; these were removed, and we journeyed on with bare feet.
Our danger of falling from the pathway increased. We pressed close to the white wall, yet could not place our feet fully upon the path, for it was too narrow. We then suspended nearly our whole weight upon the cords, exclaiming: “We have hold from above! We have hold from above!” Much of the time we were compelled to suspend our whole weight upon the cords, which increased in size as we progressed.
At length we came to a large chasm, at which our path ended. There was nothing now to guide the feet, nothing upon which to rest them. Our whole reliance must be upon the cords, which had increased in size, until they were as large as our bodies. Here we were for a time thrown into perplexity and distress. We inquired in fearful whispers, “To what is the cord attached?” Should the cord break, we must perish.
Again, in whispered anguish, the words were breathed, “What holds the cord?” For a moment we hesitated to venture. Then we exclaimed: “Our only hope is to trust wholly to the cord. It has been our dependence all the difficult way. It will not fail us now.” Still we were hesitating and distressed. The words were then spoken: “God holds the cord. We need not fear.” These words were repeated by those behind us, accompanied with: “He will not fail us now. He has brought us thus far in safety.”(White, Life Sketches, pp. 190-193).
A portion of the great assembly started out prepared to journey. We had heavily loaded wagons. As we journeyed, the road seemed to ascend. On one side of this road was a deep precipice; on the other was a high, smooth, white wall, like the hard finish upon plastered rooms.
As we journeyed on, the road grew narrower and steeper. In some places it seemed so very narrow that we concluded that we could no longer travel with the loaded wagons. We then loosed them from the horses, took a portion of the luggage from the wagons and placed it upon the horses, and journeyed on horseback.
As we progressed, the path still continued to grow narrow. We were obliged to press close to the wall, to save ourselves from falling off the narrow road down the steep precipice. As we did this, the luggage on the horses pressed against the wall, and caused us to sway toward the precipice. We feared that we should fall, and be dashed in pieces on the rocks. We then cut the luggage from the horses, and it fell over the precipice. We continued on horseback, greatly fearing, as we came to the narrower places in the road, that we should lose our balance, and fall.
As the path grew more narrow, we decided that we could no longer go with safety on horseback, and we left the horses and went on foot, in single file, one following in the footsteps of another. At this point small cords were let down from the top of the pure white wall; these we eagerly grasped, to aid us in keeping our balance upon the path. As we traveled, the cord moved along with us. The path finally became so narrow that we concluded that we could travel more safely without our shoes; so we slipped them from our feet, and went on some distance without them. Soon it was decided that we could travel more safely without our stockings; these were removed, and we journeyed on with bare feet.
Our danger of falling from the pathway increased. We pressed close to the white wall, yet could not place our feet fully upon the path, for it was too narrow. We then suspended nearly our whole weight upon the cords, exclaiming: “We have hold from above! We have hold from above!” Much of the time we were compelled to suspend our whole weight upon the cords, which increased in size as we progressed.
At length we came to a large chasm, at which our path ended. There was nothing now to guide the feet, nothing upon which to rest them. Our whole reliance must be upon the cords, which had increased in size, until they were as large as our bodies. Here we were for a time thrown into perplexity and distress. We inquired in fearful whispers, “To what is the cord attached?” Should the cord break, we must perish.
Again, in whispered anguish, the words were breathed, “What holds the cord?” For a moment we hesitated to venture. Then we exclaimed: “Our only hope is to trust wholly to the cord. It has been our dependence all the difficult way. It will not fail us now.” Still we were hesitating and distressed. The words were then spoken: “God holds the cord. We need not fear.” These words were repeated by those behind us, accompanied with: “He will not fail us now. He has brought us thus far in safety.”(White, Life Sketches, pp. 190-193).
The enemy may want to us to forget that we are on a journey on the narrow way and is trying his bestest for us just to go on our merry, peaceful way; but knowing God and His soon return, we cannot ignore this unless we want to lose out on God's ultimate dream for us--- God wants us saved, He wants us to be with Him in His kingdom.
There is a war going on. And though many of us feel like we are on vacation, it is not so. The scriptures tell us that we are fighting not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, against spiritual hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). And just like in any war, we are not supposed to get spoiled, fattened and entertained. We are admonished to "Watch and pray!" (Matthew 26:41; 1 Peter 4:7; Luke 21:36).
For the past year, since I committed my life and my family to God, giving ALL to Him, I have felt the enemy getting, oh-so-personal on this war. He is bent on attacking and he knows exactly where it hurts the most--- my family. But he also doesn't know that my God has also taken it personally to care and prepare me for whatever this war may bring. Just as He prepared David and given him victory over the giant, God had equipped me and is giving me victory.
And so, my parents lost their home and all they had last year. But in His mercy, God spared them. We moved with God to Russia, but in God's infinite wisdom, I wasn't able to get a resident visa. As a result, I got to spend precious time with my parents, getting to know their hearts and getting united in our love for Christ. Oh, how I treasure those precious hours now and I am grateful to a God who knows exactly what we all need and provides for it.
When Haiyan typhoon came with its strong winds and big, mighty waters, it buffeted my parents' new home, sweeping them and their three grandkids away together with all that they newly were blessed. But the Lord made sure that the three young ones, whom my parents have taken cared of so diligently, were saved. My parents, though, He has allowed to disappear and to find their rest. John wrote in Revelation 14:13, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." My parents are resting from all their labors for the Lord and from their struggle against the enemy and as sure as they can't be found now, their works still follow them as many has testified in their faithfulness and love for God's humble work. How I praise God for my parents' faithfulness in the service as I receive messages and hear people tell me of how my parents have started them, encouraged and inspired them to work for God. Our God is alive and so good, indeed!
In the situation we are in, to live up to God's dreams for us is to unceasingly watch and pray. The enemy is on the prowl, seeking whom he may devour. Is it gonna be you? Or me? The Bible has told us that it doesn't matter if our physical body gets ridden from all the enemy's attacks, just that we have to make sure he doesn't get into us and destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28).
So, who has you? Whose side are you fighting on in this war? Are you fighting on the side of those whom many think are strange but are working righteousness? Or are you joining the forces of the indifferent that as may as well be on the enemy's side? Remember, there is no neutral ground when it comes to our salvation. Either you're in or out. Either you're for the Lord or the enemy. Whose are you?
As Joshua chose valiantly, "As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord," may we join in in this decision. With God, we find ourselves asking, "Who can be against us?" None. No one. Nobody.
Time is soon to come when the great fulfillment of God's dream for us will happen and we will be forever with Him. Revelation 16:15 "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches..." In this conflict-ridden world, we are to watch and pray as we wait for the unfolding of God's ultimate dream for us.
Watch and pray. Watch the fulfillment of God's prophecies and promises unfold. Watch that our wily foe won't trick us into even one of his schemes, following and using his way instead of God's. Watch that we don't fall into temptation. Watch and check our hearts if it is right with God and man. Watch that none of the poisons of this world take root in our hearts and uproot the seed that God has planted. Watch that we are ready for our Savior to come, and have put on His robe of righteousness. Pray that God will keep us to watch all this and most of all keep our eyes on Him, the author and finisher of our faith.
P - Ponder and Praise. In our journey to God's dream for us, God doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves. Everyday He gives us fresh supply of Himself--- His strength, His wisdom, His power-- through the Holy Spirit. And through the Holy Spirit, Christ is alive in us.
Whatever blessing we receive from God's hand, ponder on its goodness and praise Him for it. The way to that dream may take long, reflect and thank God for the journey. The way may be tough, embrace the toughness, grow in courage and strength, and fill your heart with thanksgiving. The circumstances may be discouraging, cry, embrace humanity and grow in empathy, and praise God for His faithfulness and care. The course may be rewarding, embrace the victories and be grateful. Thank God for everything, for everything that comes from Him is a blessing and is meant to bless. It is what makes us for who God intends us to be. It is where we are prepared for the next step into God's dream.
When I had my first child, I fully understood that he is a gift from heaven. I received him as gift with all my heart, even with feelings of uncertainty and fear over my parenting skills and lack of experience. In the same way, I embraced my second child as an addition to my growing number of gifts. But when my third child came unexpectedly, even with all precautions done not to get pregnant, and with my own dreams fully ready to be launched; I faltered, I hesitated. Until God showed me, that all these gifts have nothing to do with me, but all about Him. He is in control. He is the Master. He is the Giver and everything that comes from Him is good (James 1:17-18). His glory is at stake.
Only after I understood this was I able to receive with joy all of my gifts from God. Now I can gladly thank God for even the circumstances that my family is in right now--- being caught in-between Russia and Philippines, surviving Haiyan storm and other small details that make up life. He has a purpose for everything and all blessing is given for our good and to bless us (Romans 8:28).
We need to understand the work God is doing in us, and in so doing we can truly embrace every blessing in the form of circumstances, people, things, events and know that He is working His dreams for us, and be filled with gratefulness for all His wondrous works.
The Bible tells us to "always give thanks, for this is the will of God" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). God doesn't ignore our pitiful beginnings, but with a heart of gratitude and a mind of understanding His goodness, we obey Him, He turns these beginnings into a delight for His glory. God wants us to take responsibility for all circumstances we are in. And we can either choose to ponder on His character of love and goodness and obey Him, or we can choose to wallow in misery and turn our circumstances to worst.
It is God's dream that we live within His tenets: (Philippians 4:4-7).
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
And He promised...
(that) the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The journey to God's dreams is the greatest adventure ever. It take us where we haven't imagined, works a purpose so great our minds cannot even dream of and fulfills plans that we cannot even think of. Living up to His dreams may be a challenge that we will be so grateful to take on. It changes our circumstances. It changes our relationships. It changes the way we do things--- think, behave. It changes us.
LIVE UP. Lean, listen and learn from the Master Teacher. Infuse your reality with God's grace. Voice out truth today, everyday. Embrace servanthood and be blessed. Unceasingly watch and pray. Ponder and praise God for who He is and ALL He gives.
Why don't you take up the challenge now? God is waiting for you to LIVE UP His dreams. Your life will never be the same again. Don't settle for less. LIVE UP God's dreams now.
And God be with us!
You may also like to read...
LIVE UP God's Dream 3
LIVE UP God's Dream 2
LIVE UP God's Dream 1
The Bible tells us to "always give thanks, for this is the will of God" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). God doesn't ignore our pitiful beginnings, but with a heart of gratitude and a mind of understanding His goodness, we obey Him, He turns these beginnings into a delight for His glory. God wants us to take responsibility for all circumstances we are in. And we can either choose to ponder on His character of love and goodness and obey Him, or we can choose to wallow in misery and turn our circumstances to worst.
It is God's dream that we live within His tenets: (Philippians 4:4-7).
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
And He promised...
(that) the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The journey to God's dreams is the greatest adventure ever. It take us where we haven't imagined, works a purpose so great our minds cannot even dream of and fulfills plans that we cannot even think of. Living up to His dreams may be a challenge that we will be so grateful to take on. It changes our circumstances. It changes our relationships. It changes the way we do things--- think, behave. It changes us.
LIVE UP. Lean, listen and learn from the Master Teacher. Infuse your reality with God's grace. Voice out truth today, everyday. Embrace servanthood and be blessed. Unceasingly watch and pray. Ponder and praise God for who He is and ALL He gives.
Why don't you take up the challenge now? God is waiting for you to LIVE UP His dreams. Your life will never be the same again. Don't settle for less. LIVE UP God's dreams now.
And God be with us!
You may also like to read...
LIVE UP God's Dream 3
LIVE UP God's Dream 2
LIVE UP God's Dream 1
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