Living Waters

God’s Work in Tony Maden

Jul 7th, 2008 by livingwater

A few weeks ago my dear friend and brother in Christ, Pastor Allen Stancil reminded me of an earlier time in our relationship when he invited me to come share a Word at his church. I said I had not forgotten his invitation to come when God said I was ready. A few weeks ago, we met for the first time in many months and enjoyed dinner together at Nieces in Kansas City.

I asked Allen what date I should share, her said July 6th. I opened my PDA Calendar, and searched for this coming date, 7/6 - low and behold I found the appointment already in my calendar for that very date - July 6th 2008. At the same time, a pigeon flew into the window right next to me and startled us both.

We both agreed these were not “coincidences” as some might say, but the clear direction of the Lord’s will for this date.

As time drew closer, I enjoyed two wonderful occasions as I waited on the Lord to write up what God alone has done in my life that is now my testimony and witness in one of His pampered children (as another friend would say).

I think we need to remind ourselves often that each of us has a testimony of His work in our lives. Peter reminds us…

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

Lord, we thank you for giving each of us a testimony of the work you alone have done in our lives. I pray for open ears, minds and hearts for all those who read and hear. I pray that you would continue to use my testimony to draw all men to yourself. Thank you for this opportunity to speak and I hope for many more opportunities to share in the coming months ahead. In Jesus precious name, I pray. Amen.

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Let Your Yes be Yes - Always!

Jun 17th, 2008 by livingwater

My Lord heard my confession of recognition that my yes has not been my yes, but no. Like His children, what starts as a promise to obey His command and follow in His ways, turns in the end to our evil ways where we drift from the lighted path into self-deception. My word has not been my bond. Sure it has been my bond when I chose for it to be so, but for work in my home like the daughter’s shower, and our shower, weeks and months have passed by with my endless excuses. What kind of God lives in me that my testimony is one of delays and broken promises. While my heavenly Father’s promises are faithful to the end and never fail. So the tail of woe is this:

This evening, while I was seated flicking through the pages of The Success Principles by Jack Canfield, I stopped (randomly - yeah right!) at Principle # 35, “99% is a Bitch, 100% is a Breeze”.

I was stopped in my tracks as I read “What a simple concept that is - yet you’d be suprised how many people wake up every day and fight with themselves over whether or not to keep their commitments, stick to their disciplines, or carry out their action plans. THE “NO EXCEPTION RULE”. Siuccessful people adhere to the “no-exception rule” when it comes to their daily disciplines. Once you make a 100% commitment to something, there is no exception. Its a done deal. Nonnegotiable. Cases closed. over and out”.

I was stopped in my tracks because, as I wrote later this evening, my word has not been my bond. My Yes has meant No. “If I want to”, I who?, If I want to? who is I? Christ I or Satan I?

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

So My Lord has revealed this in me. And I say Woe is me Lord. But Lord you in me is greater than he who is in the world, so Lord I thank you that you forgive me my transgression and have already, as I take by faith, me, though let me not fall back into self deception my Lord.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (Rom 12:3)

Forgive me my Lord that I have thought that I was invincible, but alas. I am man and You alone are God. The forgiving God who grace and mercy are always there for those who come forward and seek forgiveness which you grant without questions, and remember my sin no more. Lord thank you for breath itself, that Christ in me, is the hope of glory. That your daily breath and life compel me to recognize my sin and accept your forgiveness and look to a new day together.

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Sue’s Dream, Norman’s Letter and Workplace Ministry

May 24th, 2008 by livingwater

This morning Sue woke and wanted to share a dream, she did so and then recorded it which we now share in the audio recording below. The letter to which Sue refers is below:

NORMAN SPOKE FROM HIS GRAVE!.

As you are aware that I have a situation in my office which is against company policy and guidelines - but my boss has chosen to ignore it - and deceived the Board by giving another a position that rightfully belongs to me. She is aware of the fraud committed but has chosen to wriggle her way out thru her malice. Other senior managers are aware but cannot do anything for me because of her power. She had even told me she will destroy me. As God had not given me liberty to leave, I have chosen to stay as I believe that it is His will I stay as a witness to others - both Christians as well as non-Christians - to walk a life of joy, hope and faith in God in spite of dark outer circumstances. I have chosen to practice what Norman taught - to be a ’see througher’ - to have a single eye and see God in all circumstances.

Anyway, the situation at office does not matter now. On 9 May 2008, God spoke - thru one of Norman’s letter to his friend, Albert who was having very similar problem as mine. In fact the reply Norman gave to Albert is word for word the letter he would have written to me in my situation. Martha found it so thrilling that she has typed it out and I have pasted it below. We cannot believe what we read but it has brought tremendous peace and faith to believe the Lord for deliverance. Please see Norman’s letter in page 81 (I have pasted it below).

Each year, the church publishes a book in which I contribute an article. The topic given by the editor to me is “Transformation - The Impact of Christ in the Marketplace”. I have already submitted the draft before I came to know you and Norman. Now that I have - I hope to make some changes to include something from Norman - which will be considered minor by the editor and so get his approval - but for you and I - a major spiritual victory. I hope to include this letter to Albert from you book as it speaks so well for Christians in the market place. May I have your permission to include this letter. I will send you a copy of the revised draft before I send it to the editor. It is about 10 pages and would appreciate your comments and feedback.

We marvel at the providence of God. I would have never read this letter from NG to Albert - if you had not published the book and if our paths did not cross. We truly marvel at God - His love. I was not moving forward in my spiritual life in my previous place. Yes, I love my friends in Malaysia and Scotland but I know there was more to the spiritual ways - and now I have found it - the pearl of great price!

I look forward to the day I shall see you face to face and thank you for keeping Norman alive!!!. Only eternity will tell the numbers you have blessed thru your efforts. You are indeed a blessing and what blessing that I should know you.

Loving you always

Vijay

Letter from Norman Grubb - written to Gilbert - but also for Vijay! (Page 81).

Dear Vijay

I think the first point of main importance is that you make sure and keep sure that the cross is in action first of all, according to the II Cor 4: 8-13 passage. We have to keep our eyes on JESUS ONLY living and walking in us, and it is sometimes a strange path. We took it as settled that He took you back through faith to your executive position, and has actually increased and enlarged you since then. Then that is settled. He took you back and ____ accept that to mean that He has planned for you to stay there.

Then comes this fierce test. God so prospers you that you build up the department, have workers put under you, and are all set to head the department. God then sends the devils in through the schemes of this unworthy man, and he is given the position you should hold.

Very well then, we still believe God and declare our faith. But you must be very careful to walk the present path in self-emptiness, and that means that, while God take you through the tunnel of testing, you accept the situation with meekness and praise. That means that you must take this man as sent of God to steal your place from you, and you must serve under him in loyalty, until God shows His victorious way out. I think it is essential to underline that point. If you resist the man God sends to usurp your position, although we may see him as the devil’s agent, you resist God. That was the pathway Joseph walked successfully with his brethren when they sold him, and with Potiphar; Jesus also walked successfully in His crucifixion; Job walked less successfully, though he came through in the end.

God will triumph and bring forth your righteousness as light. Presumably He will either stop the man ever taking over, or show up the fraud later; but meanwhile your victory is to walk the thorny path in the rest of faith. That means that you see JESUS ONLY in these circumstances, and in the coming of this man, and therefore die to inner resistance, confusion, etc. You demonstrate this victory within by letting this usurper see that you accept him in his legal appointment, while he is allowed to hold the position, and “found favor” with Potiphar in his household, and with the keeper of the prison. Your day of deliverance will also come.

I shall be with you in spirit, in faith and praise, and shall keenly want to know how God lives it through you and for you. Friday I am off for meetings with the Harvard students till Tuesday, then back again. So I shall be keen to hear then.

Affectionately your brother in Christ,

Norman

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