Living Waters

God’s Work in Tony Maden

livingwater — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:18:41 +0000

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.

Let Your Yes be Yes - Always!

livingwater — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:55:13 +0000

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.

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

livingwater — Sat, 24 May 2008 23:22:54 +0000

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

John Fautley Testimony

livingwater — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:54:45 +0000

“If you are feeling down, low, depressed . . . it is NOT because you are not ‘letting’ Christ live in you, it is because YOU are not recognizing that He . . . already IS” John Fautley shares at the Graves’s home meeting 5/16/08

Boyd Williams Exodus 17

livingwater — Sat, 17 May 2008 04:31:42 +0000

1 All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, Give us water to drink. And Moses said to them, Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD? 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst? 4 So Moses cried to the LORD, What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me. 5 And the LORD said to Moses, Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink. And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, Is the LORD among us or not? (Exodus 17)

Breath of Life Breathes

livingwater — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:51:36 +0000

Breath of Life is the closest we have to knowing your touch within us.

then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. (Genesis 2:7)

Breath just is.

Unconscious competence of my body

Now Christ is me. I am Christ. Amazing. Amazing.

You put this plan together from the beginning…

31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, Know the LORD, for they shall ALL KNOW ME, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

ALL KNOW ME, your plan from the beginning to restore us to the beginning returned from our wanderings. And you have brought enlightenment to all people.

We do not have to try to make but just let. Trying is a word of mans ways, His own effort.

Rest in me…

25 At that time Jesus declared, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:25-30)Wonderful plea for our return. Father thank you for your Word coming through me.

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Thank you Lord that we do not have to try. Thank you for the Word that comes through my mouth. Mind-blowing. In awe of your presence in through me. Christ is me. Ah Father. Thank you Lord, thank you. In your Son’s name I talk to you and the Spirit said amen.

We hear but do not do

livingwater — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:13:59 +0000

Thank God for breath today.

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? (James 2:20)

“As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD. 31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. 32 And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. 33 When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them. (Ezekiel 33:30-33)

David Heisler “The temptation to do good”

Ignorance (continued)

livingwater — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:59:49 +0000

Thoughts on ignorance. Not sure if ignorance is the right word, but we allow our minds to disengage to such a degree, that we find it hard to pull back, So we eventually become victims of our own laziness in managing our mind. Perhaps that is why Paul so sternly reminds us to “do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2)

Not Your Father’s Antisemitism

livingwater — Tue, 13 May 2008 04:09:39 +0000

Moving right along with an earlier post where I spoke of “willful ignorance”, tonight was a good example of willful engagement - my wife and I attended an event at the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education at the Jewish Community Center. We listened to Michael Berenbaum share about antisemitism in the 21st century, not being the same as in the 30’s. Michael’s words were engaging and our eyes were opened. As I said we attended tonight’s event so that we do not remain ignorant as we had been. I would recommend you buy Michaels latest book (with the same title) so that you do not remain ignorant any longer yourself. For those who could not make the event you can listen and download below.

Heavenly Father G-d, please help us remain vigilant to all form of injustice and duplicity in society today, Lord, lead us to share this truth with others in our midst.

Be strong and of good courage

livingwater — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:19:51 +0000

Brother Yetem Geta, an Ethiopian man whom the Lord sent my way in 2005, reminded me in Nov 2006 to be “strong and of good courage”. I met Yetem earlier that year in name only through Rev. Alison Barfoot at Christ Church. She was passionate to use her new web page making skills to help Yetem gain support here in the USA.

Yetem was staying at the home of my good friend Tom White as his guest. Tom just loves hosting visiting missionaries. Tom is such a blessing. Anyway Yetem had come into my life at this time and I was not yet grounded in knowing who I am and who Christ Jesus was in me. I remember feeling rushed as the evening he arrived I was hosting an event somewhere else in Overland Park. Somehow I was going too much. Sadly, my own busyness meant I missed some quality time with my brother Yetem and Tom.

Be strong and of good courage is spoken at lest three times in this chapter nine “Have I not commanded you? (not asked, suggested, but commanded!) Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go”

Lord, thank your for your forgiveness for every time I have doubted Your majaesty, for your promises are faithful, always, and forever. Thank you for loving me, accepting me. Thank you Jesus Christ through you Holy Spirit for living in me all the time. ALL THE TIME!!!! Lord I beg you to transform the hearts and minds of those whom you have given to me; my family, friends, coworkers, colleagues, acquaintances, and everyone we connect with.

The words of my two favorite musicians come to mind… OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD.. written by Rich Mullins…. and MAKE MY LIFE A PRAYER TO YOU by Keith Green…. In-Joy

Mother’s Day Reflection

livingwater — Sun, 11 May 2008 18:49:49 +0000

This mornings reflection and thanks for life, and dogs and dandelions, and Mother’s. Thank you for illuminating Your word about the seed and fruit born in season (John 12:24, Psalm 1)

Dandelions are perfectly designed examples of reproduction. When the puff looks like the picture to the right, the wind blows each seed to its next destination. WOW! Isn’t life in action so amazing!

Ethopian Coffee experience

livingwater — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:09:07 +0000

I thank God for his timing and this specific opportunity on Saturday May 10th to be Christ to a brother whom much like my own sense of desperation in late 2006 had me groveling at the throne of grace for God to become one with his child, me. Thank you Lord for using me as your eyes, ears, mouth to listen and speak Your words to my guests this morning. Lord please transform the family Misfin family. Thank you for blessing the whole family. And as I am not a regular coffee drinker, I had only heard of fair-trade coffee, but was totally unaware of the plight of Ethiopian coffee farmers whom make very little on each pound of coffee beans by comparison with retailers. One could say “I never knew” but like many things in life today we seem to have great difficulty giving our attention to anything that is not directly self-serving, we are therefore ignorant. I refer to this as “willful ignorance“. We have chosen not to give our attention to an issue or cause, where perhaps injustice is at work. Why? because it does not impact us personally. More on this later…

Word of Promise Dramatized Audio Theatre

livingwater — Sat, 10 May 2008 04:27:36 +0000

As an oral learner, one who has listened to the bible since the beginning when I received Christ Jesus into my life in late 2001, I have heard many renditions of the bible in audio. On video I most enjoy the Visual bible of Matthew and Acts which I recommend and I long for the day when the remainder of the new testament is also in movie production. Tonight I purchased the Thomas Nelson Word of Promise NKJV dramatized audio production of the new testament and I have to say how much I’m so filled with awe as I listen. I would encourage you buy a copy, add it to your mp3 player, close your eyes and you can easily imagine you are walking with and being discipled by Jesus and the apostles. Listen to the production team share their mission in creating this dramatized bible production. Hear Jim Caviezel’s voice tremble towards the end as he confesses how God moves Him to recognize how much Father God loves him. This is just an awesome production!

The Bereans searched daily

livingwater — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:26:32 +0000

The Bereans searched the scriptures daily to verify what Paul had been saying. The passage is from Acts 17:10-15 NKJV

How often do you search the scriptures to verify what someone has shared with you?

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

When Literates stop reading

livingwater — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:06:54 +0000

Please listen to the next track too from the CD, Making Disciples of Oral Learners track # 6 “When Literates stop reading”

So faith comes from hearing…

livingwater — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:46:46 +0000

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17). Once again I’m reminded of my own dependency on oral learning. I use a voice recorder as much as possible to recording what I’m shown or a meeting so I can play back again and again. I just retain information better. I can also focus on what others are saying while I’m in their presence thereby maintaining eye contact and rapport. Have you sat down, without distraction, and thought about how dependent you are nowadays on audio/visual communication instead of printed media. I would encourage you to listen to the next track too from the CD, Making Disciples of Oral Learners.

Matthew 22:1-14 Wedding Banquet

livingwater — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:21:52 +0000

Matthew 22:1-14 Wedding Banquet one of Jesus parables tells of the many who refused to join the banquet because they were too busy with this life. They made light of God’s invitation.

“1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast. 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find. 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Is God calling you? are you too busy to give Him your attention?…

1 Corinthians 1-8

livingwater — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:38:22 +0000

The First Epistle to the Corinthians is a book of the Bible in the New Testament. 1 Corinthians is a letter from Paul of Tarsus and Sosthenes to the Christians of Corinth, Greece. This epistle contains some of the best-known phrases in the New Testament, including (depending on the translation) “all things to all men” (9:22), “without love, I am nothing” (13:1) and “when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child” (13:11). (from Wikipedia)