Rely on God, not Self!

Wow! What a challenge, rebuke, but also an encouragement!

"Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow" (Isa. 50:11).

What a solemn warning to those who walk in darkness and yet who try to help themselves out into the light. They are represented as kindling a fire, and compassing themselves with sparks. What does this mean?

Why, it means that when we are in darkness the temptation is to find a way without trusting in the Lord and relying upon Him. Instead of letting Him help us out, we try to help ourselves out. We seek the light of nature, and get the advice of our friends. We try the conclusions of our reason, and might almost be tempted to accept a way of deliverance which would not be of God at all.

All these are fires of our own kindling; rushlights that will surely lead us onto the shoals. And God will let us walk in the light of those sparks, but the end will be sorrow.

Beloved, do not try to get out of a dark place, except, in God's time and in God's way. The time of trouble is meant to teach you lessons that you sorely need.

Premature deliverance may frustrate God's work of grace in your life. Just commit the whole situation to Him. Be willing to abide in darkness so long as you have His presence. Remember that it is better to walk in the dark with God than to walk alone in the light. --The Still Small Voice

Cease meddling with God's plans and will. You touch anything of His, and you mar the work. You may move the hands of a clock to suit you, but you do not change the time; so you may hurry the unfolding of God's will, but you harm and do not help the work. You can open a rosebud but you spoil the flower. Leave all to Him. Hands down. Thy will, not mine. --Stephen Merritt

According to Our Faith

This was a help and a challenge all at once:

"According to your faith be it unto you" (Matt. 9:29).

"Praying through" might be defined as praying one's way into full faith, emerging while yet praying into the assurance that one has been accepted and heard, so that one becomes actually aware of receiving, by firmest anticipation and in advance of the event, the thing for which he asks.

Let us remember that no earthly circumstances can hinder the fulfillment of His Word if we look steadfastly at the immutability of that Word and not at the uncertainty of this ever-changing world. God would have us believe His Word without other confirmation, and then He is ready to give us "according to our faith."

"When once His Word is past,
When He hath said , 'I will,' (Heb. 13:5)
The thing shall come at last;
God keeps His promise still." (2 Cor. 1:20)

The prayer of the Pentecostal age was like a cheque to be paid in coin over the counter. --Sir R. Anderson

"And God said…and it was so." (Gen. 1:9.) - Mrs C E Cowman

Can someone please explain to me why earthly circumstances can't affect the fulfilment of His word, but He only gives us according to our faith? Doesn't that mean that we can affect the fulfilment of God's word?

The girl who had cancer and still smiles

This time last year, I was recovering in hospital. The weekend nurses were horrible and they also kept promising that I would be moved to one of the ward rooms instead of being in the ward you went into after an operation - recovery? Anyway, I had had my catheter removed and could walk up and down the ward. I could even bathe myself - amazing! I remember being in such a bad mood though because I felt better and just wanted to go home. I know Drs Davis and Burton were surprised that I was well enough to go home only 4 days after major surgery, but I was stubborn and I was determined to go home. Plus, the food was horrible in Ward 24 and they hardly gave you any vegetables or fruit - not even fruit juice in the morning! I had such a big craving for fruit juice when I got out. :-) The thing that amused me about having my catheter removed was that I forgot what it was like to need a pee. Also, for a couple of days, I couldn't pee without the tap running! Heehee!

I can't believe it was all only a year ago! It feels so strange, but I'm so glad it's over. I really hope it doesn't come back!