New Covenant believers: Prayer in the new covenant

New Covenant believers: Prayer in the new covenant: "Praying in the new covenant is totally different from that of the old covenant. We pray in seated position with Him; from the victory point..."

My Teacher

Matthew 11:29

29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.

Ooh this verse speaks loudly to my ear and heart. How many times in life that i said:

"This church teach heresy"

"What he said is wrong, what i said is more biblical"

"You said You're a good God, but why did You allow .... "

I was such a snob. I thought i knew everything there is to know. I was not learning much because many times i close the door which might lead me to grow.

Now consider myself as a lifelong student and my main purpose is to learn. Learn from My Teacher.

Then rest.

Romans 5:5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

This verse is beautiful! And notice that it's Romans 5 verse 5, double the number of Grace!

Just reading it lifted up my spirit.

Love=Faith=Healed

It's been a week that i noticed i got a strange headache. Not like usual headaches eventhough i rarely had them. This was a pain that came from somewhere underneath my left ear. Sometimes the pain occur with such intensity that i screamed, "Ouch, what was that?". I thought maybe it was some pain related from my recent tooth surgery, but i didn't know for sure. Anyway, i prayed many times to command the pain to leave. I spoke verses that promising healing, but unfortuneately the headache was still there.

This afternoon, while driving to my parents house Holy Spirit impressed me to worship the Lord. So i sang eventough the tape was not on. I sang random songs, and ended up singing "Jesus i believe in You, Jesus i belong to You. You are the reason i believe the reason that i sing... with all my heart".

Singing the song, i sensed such joy and peace and... love from Jesus. I cried while my mouth still sing the song. My tears flowed on my cheeks, and i knew this is not a self-pity-fear-of-punishment-cry i once experienced before i knew the truth about His grace. This was a cry that came from a grateful heart, know that i'm loved so deeply by my Creator.

I began worshipping Him. Thanking Him for what He has done in calvary. Thanking Him that He died so i could live. Thanking Him that by His blood i'm free from punishment, free from any curse, free from condemnations. Thanking Him that by His stripes i am healed. Thanking Him for wanting me to be happy, healthy and fruitful. Thanking Him that by His sacrifice i am called to be God's daughter.

I arrived at my parent's home 20 minutes later, and realized a relief in my head. Up till now 5 hours later, i'm still free from headache. Praise Lord Jesus!

I realized that the Holy Spirit taught me something important today. Miracles and healings come through faith. But faith must be activated by love, God's love. Like Joseph Prince once said, "Faith is the confidence of how much God's love us". When we realize how much He loves us, it automatically increases our faith, and by having an increased faith it creates a channel (or some said "bridge") for the manifestation of miracle and healing.

Our focus shouldn't be on the manifestation of healing, but to believe in His love. If that happen, surely healing will be manifested. In my personal opinion it is not just by claiming, screaming verses or using our authority to get rid of the symptoms. Of course we could use verses, commanding sickness to go and using our authority by having a king-priest position in Christ. but we should be careful because these activities could easily turn into some sort of "work" which lead us into "performance mentality".

God's style is always simpler and easier. Just believe.

Believe that He is a good and loving God.

Searching for A Graceful Church

According to the New Testament, the church is not a building. Neither is it a denomination, a religious service, nor a non-denominational organization. The church is a living organism. It is simply this: A community of people who possess the life of God’s Kingdom and who express it together.

(Quoted from Reimagining Church by Frank Viola)

Almost 2 years has passed since we moved here from France, yet we haven't joined any church. Of course sunday mornings were spent on a building called "church" but with no conversations afterwards among other brothers and sisters after the service, let alone helping and supporting each other just like the early church did.

Arrghhh.... how i long for a community of believers, who accepted each other as they are. Who practicing signs and wonders and supporting each other to tell people that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Who know each other well and love each other with the love of Christ.

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

WOW.

James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5. This sentence was quoted two times or more in the Bible. I guessed it is quite important.

This verse is amazingly timely for me.

Continue from my previous post, now i'm starting like a new believer. I want to put behind the fact that i've accepted Jesus as my Savior since i was 15, and serving Him since. I put aside all the theories and theologies which shaped my frame of thoughts.

I have nothing to be proud of in front of men and You.

Now i want to learn from the beginning.

Of Your grace and mercy.

Of Your salvation, healing and prosperity.

Of Your rest.

Of Your power and works of wonders.

Lord, i don't want to be the judge anymore. I used to look behind and seeing the evidence when i thought You didn't care, and trying to make sense all of it with what people said about Your love. I am nothing compare to Your wisdom. Perhaps i know not now, but maybe someday You'd show me Your grand plan in my life. One day i'd look back and see that You work everything into good.

As John Gill's commentary for James 4:6:

but he giveth more grace to the humble

who are sensible of their own vileness and meanness, and acknowledge it; who think the meanest of themselves, and the best of others; and do not envy the gifts and graces of God bestowed upon others, but rejoice at them; and ascribe all they have, and are, to the free grace of God; and ingenuously confess the deficiency of their duties, and the insufficiency of their righteousness to justify them before God; and that when they have done all they can, or are assisted to do, they are but unprofitable servants: now to these God gives grace; he not only gives grace at first, to make them humble, but he gives them more grace, or increases what he gives: grace is God's gift; he gives all the grace that is in Christ, and all the blessings of grace that are in the covenant, and all the grace that is in the hearts of his people; as faith, hope, love, repentance, humility, patience, self-denial, resignation to his will, and every degree of spiritual knowledge; and grace is only his gift; men cannot give it to themselves, nor can the best of men give it to others; not godly parents to their children; nor ministers to those to whom they preach; no, nor the angels in heaven; nor is it to be obtained by the works of men: it is a free gift; it is given of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God, to whom, and when, and in what measure he pleases; to which he is not induced by any motives in men, for they have nothing in them to move him to it; and it is given by him absolutely, without conditions, not suspending it till the performance of them; and he gives it cheerfully and not grudgingly, largely, bountifully, and in great abundance.

Simply a Beginner

Last week i wasn't really well. Not sick or whatever, just a bit gloomy. Hubby's leaving town to work, and i'm alone. I keep listening to Curry Blake's DHT files every night but i can not push my self to read daily devotional from Joseph Prince. Each of ps Prince's sermons describe the goodness of God and at that time i just couldn't picture Him as a kind God.

I saw a photograph of a newly born son of a friend. It's her second child. She has infertility problems but manage to deliver 2 healthy babies.

I realize that most of my friends who had infertility issues have already had children right now.

I remember the moment i miscarried two years ago. It's almost impossible to relate that God is kind but He also allowed me to experience the tragedy of loosing a child. Maybe part of it was my fault, because i didn't know that it is not God's will for people to miscarry. Thus, i didn't have the faith to confess or claim whatsoever. But i wished God would've told me the truth before.

I felt condemned.

I lost my peace and joy, and even had sleeping problems.

But today, while watching TV, the Holy Spirit speak through my conscience. He said, "Be a student, learn everything from the basics".

I felt sudden peace. I realized that all this time i over analyze everything. I put God into my system of thinking, about justice, kindness and love. When i found that God violates the system in my head, i blamed Him.

This morning i said to God, "I'm a student now Papa. Let me learn Your love, show how it works in my life. I don't want to judge You, i don't want to blame You for anything from now on. I just want to learn. Please reveal to me everything that i need to know about You. "

I'm the student and He is the teacher.

The Best Description

I quote this from Steve McVey:

Life in Christ is certainly not a passive lifestyle but neither is it a lifestyle of religious hyperactivity either. It doesn't have to be one or the other. Resting in Him means that we live our lives knowing that He holds us safely in His arms and that His loving embrace carries us through every situation we face in life. Sometimes our lifestyles will involve external activity and at other times it will involve outward inactivity, but at all times we are enjoying His divine hug.

The Prayer

A couple of days ago I was feeling down because I sensed that my period is coming. Also, there were additional causes, another pre-birth anouncement from relative, people i met who accused me of not working hard enough to have a baby, etc etc etc.

I was not feeling right. I knew i should reach out to His grace. I knew that i should guard my heart, not to worry and keep my peace as the only thing God told me to do. But sometimes it's plain hard. My best friend a.k.a hubby was at work and he seemed to lost idea of how to cheer me.

So he prayed.

At first, I felt a bit reluctant. I was angry. But i listened to everything that he said to God. Not to long after that I sensed something different. It's like a flood of peace and joy came rushing from heaven above upon us. I felt like God was hugging us both, He didn't seem to be troubled with the fact me and hubby on different island. I felt the three of us, me, Him and my husband were on the same spot together.

After praying, hubby asked, "Do you feel it?" . "Yes" I said with tears on my cheek.

We trust by faith, not by feelings. But now I knew that God doesn't mind reaching out to us. Making known of His presence. Telling us directly how much He loves us.

With the peace and joy back on track, I found that guarding my heart becoming an easy task. I'm glad God moves when we need His help.

The Kingdom of God

Is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

Is not in word but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)

Is within us (Luke 17:21)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Teaching, Preaching, Healing

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35).

He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:2)

But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. (Luke 9:11)

And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you. (Luke10:9)

It seems that teaching, preaching and healing was one complete package in Jesus' Ministry. Notice also that almost everytime the bible mention the kingdom of God were being preached, the sick also being healed. Hallelujah!

What War Are You In?

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Whatever that is, know that you have the most effective weapons that have divine power...

His Answer

I was driving my car this morning. Feeling a little gloomy due to recent circumstances that happen in my life. I speak to the Lord, "There apparently nothing's change in my life between now and two years ago. While everyone's having the answer of their prayer, my situation hasn't changed."

Then i heard Him asnwered me in my heart: "Maybe you could not see the differences, but from my eyes, I see your life changed so much these past two years".

I realized He was right.

Our circumstances might not changed from outside. But my relationship with Jesus has changed so dramatically this past years. I would never want to go back to the kind of relationship i had with Him back then.

So many things has changed in my life. My worries, fears and anxieties were gone. I found myself less judgmental towards people. I enjoy life easily, no matter what happen in my life. I couldn't say my prayer time is improving because now i don't have "prayer time", i just talk to Father God all day. I couldn't also said my "quite time" is more routinely done because i don't have a routine quite time. But i listen to sermon CDs every time i had the chance and open my bible anytime throughout the day.

I think of Jesus and talk to Him throughout the day.

He is right. My life is changed.

I'm falling back to Grace.

The Name

Last night, 6 June 2010 a preacher prayed for us and she said that we're having a boy and we should name him "Samuel".

So, it's gonna be Arturo Samuel Victor Simanjutak.

A bit long huh? I hope it's gonna fit in his passport, ehehe...

He Collects My Tears

8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? (Psalms 56:8)

I found out about this verse when i read "The Shack" (a very good Christian book, if you're not a legalist ;p). It tells that a spritely young Asian woman dances around Mack, collecting his tears with a brush and introduces herself as Sarayu, personification of the Holy Spirit. Mack's life was almost destroyed when he lost his youngest daughter, Missy who was murdered by a stranger.

Truthfully, even though the book was fictional, i found many of its ideas are biblical resonates deeply with my own spiritual journey. So when i read about this Sarayu collects tears, i rushed to my bible to find the verse and found it in Psalms 56.

Just like Mack in The Shack, i too lost a daughter, and spent many times crying almost each time i remembered her. But this is the first time i realize that God really hears me crying. He even collects all my tears.

I imagine, someday, one cool day in heaven, Papa would show me a barn of which my name is written on its door. Inside, i will find many bottles with water. Perhaps i'll tell Him,

"Nice hobby, Papa"

And He would answer, "Yes of course. These are my precious collection. Your tears".

"Why would you do that?" I ask Him.

Papa replied, "Because those tears are precious to me. Each tear that i collect from your face, reminds me of the restoration I planned for you".

"I thought those were my loneliest time."

"I was always there with you", said Papa.

"With your bottles?"

"Yes with my bottles".

I looked around the barn and found the walls are covered with numbers.

"What are they?" I asked.

"What? Those numbers?", said Jesus.

"Yup"

"Oh, those are my other hobbies. Numbered your hair. I do it everyday, since each day your hair's number is changing" (Matthew 10)

For everyone who didn't read The Shack, i strongly recomend to purchase the book. You'll meet Mack, Papa, Sarayu, Jesus and the closeness between them described in this book is transforming.

Seek First

Sometimes i feel down. Sometimes i feel confused. Some other time, i questioned all that i believe right now, whether it's true or not. But i had made decision, that whatever my feeling right now, whatever my circumstances are, i would never forget to seek first:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

This Rest is Wonderful

This couple of days i really believe that Holy Spirit is renewing my mind more about rest. It has been more than a year since our encounter with this whole gospel of grace thing and lately i was just almost having a breakdown because i haven't seen the manifestations of God's promises that we've been hoping for. I remember a couple of days ago i asked my husband whether 'it works'. Whatever it is, is it working or not? Do we make progresses along the year or we are just walking at the same spot and everything else was just a halucination?

God is always a present help.

He reveiled more of the meaning of "rest". Rest is enjoying the now moment. It is enjoyable because you are drowning in the love of Jesus. Being in the state of rest, you would not worry whether the promises has been manifesting or not. You are happy knowing that you already have it because of Jesus.

God also gave me a picture of someone taking a treadmill. He's running and running with nowhere to go. We could give him the most delicious meals but he wouldn't taste anything at its best since he is busy running. It's like me before i knew gospel of grace. I was like always running without knowing where to go. I always feeling tired and lacking of something. I missed all the goods and precious things God has given me, just because i didn't have the one thing i wanted.

Now?

Life is like sun bathing on the beach. There's always time to enjoy little things. I stopped comparing my life with others. And my soul keep giving thanks to Jesus.

Joseph Prince Counters Doctrinal Accusations

This article was taken recently from http://sg.christianpost.com/dbase.php?cat=ministries&id=1341. The reason i put this article is not merely to prove that Prince is right. But i was so touched by the explanation he gave to counter his accusers. Grace is always like that. Soft and sweet, even to people who against it.


Joseph Prince Counters Doctrinal Accusations

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 Posted: 4:40:50PM HKT

A screen shot from a video introduction by Joseph Prince of his latest book, 'Unmerited Favor'.
A Charismatic preacher who has been accused of encouraging people to sin has defended himself in his new book."The gospel of grace is not the license to sin," Pastor Prince said of his doctrine that there is no longer any condemnation or judgment because Jesus Christ has paid the price for the sin of the world by His death on a cross.His critics object that such a message undermines commitment to God. In reply Prince says that only God’s grace can help people overcome sin in their lives. Explaining his teaching, he related the story of one of his church leaders who for a time stopped attending church services because of marital and drinking problems, hoping to resume church attendance after he resolved his difficulties.

But, just as people take a bath to clean themselves rather than clean themselves up before taking a bath, so people with problems go to Jesus Christ to resolve them rather than attempting to solve their problems first, the pastor told his member.Today, he said, that member is a happily married, has a beautiful family and is one of his trusted, key leaders.Prince said: “There are many people today who are like this brother. They want to get their lives together by themselves before they come to Jesus.

They are under the impression that they need to make themselves holy before they can step into God’s holy presence. They feel like they are being hypocrites if they don’t sort out their lives first before coming to church.”However it is impossible for that to happen, he said, because nobody will ever be able to qualify for God’s blessings nor will they actually be able to solve the problem of sin on their own.The pastor said: “You are made holy, righteous and clean by the blood of Jesus Christ, and it is His righteous standing that qualifies you – nothing more and nothing less. So stop trying to clean yourself before you go to the Lord. Come to Jesus with all your mess, all your addictions, all your weaknesses and all your failures. God loves you just as you are. However, He also loves you too much to let you stay the same.

My friend, when you come to Jesus, He becomes your ‘bath.’ He will wash you clean, whiter than snow! Jump into the bath today and allow Jesus to make you perfect, righteous and holy in God’s eyes!”At the same time some people, he noted, would continue to sin whether or not they received a message of grace. Prince says his church, which has over 19,000 members, enforces discipline over those who practice a lifestyle of sinning. He wrote: “My leaders have no qualms about confronting people who attend our church but insist on living in sin. They do not back down from the gospel of grace even if these people argue that they have the right to continue living as they please because they are ‘under grace.’ In fact, my leaders would tell them outright that they are not under grace, because according to Romans 6:14, if they are under grace, then sin shall not have dominion over them!”

In another chapter of his book, which is due to be released worldwide next month, the pastor urged teenagers to avoid sexual temptations and their parents to teach them not to trust their restraining ability. “His (God’s) destiny for you is to enjoy a blessed marriage with someone you can give yourself totally to, and with whom you can have a blessed family with beautiful children in due season,” he said.In 2007 Prince published his first hardcover book, 'Destined to Reign', which he described as a summary of his teaching over the years.


Edmond Chuaedmond@christianpost.com

My God

Psalm 103:2-5

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagles.

Amen!

It's interesting to notice that this passage describe the sequence of what the Lord did to us through redemption by Jesus. First, He forgives all our sins by letting Jesus become our substitute on the cross. Then, because we no longer under the curse of sin, and Jesus bore all our diseases and curses on the cross, we are healed. He then leads us through our daily life, show us the right decision to make, the right way to take, thus deliver us from making mistakes in life. God also shows us how to love, by loving us first. His love enable us to love one another, a fruit that comes from the knowing of His kindness and mercies. Then He bless us in every area He makes us prosperous.

That's my God!

Let's Confess!

Found these in this blog http://underthewaterfallofgrace.blogspot.com/, thought it would be nice to read and confess it everyday.

Today....I am in the presence of God today.
I expect good things to happen because of the New Covenant.
There is no condemnation on me today!I am the righteousness of God in Christ today!
God approves of me 100%!
God is on my side and has taken my position to defend me.
I am free from fear of judgment because judgment has passed.
Not because of me but because of Christ on my behalf.
I am safe forever with my King!I expect good today!

The New Covenant makes me bold in the Spirit of freedom.
I walk though this world free from wrath!
The Father loves me and cares about me.
The Father doesn't remember what I've done wrong.
The Father took an oath never to remember my sin but to bless!
The Son became poor so I am rich today.
The Son became sin so I am righteous today.
The blood declares I am righteous forever!
The Spirit is telling me my sins are gone and I'm perfect forever!
I have received fullness in Christ.
I am a princess and royal priest in the house of God!

(quotes and ideas - Rob Rufus)