I Stand Amazed
October 19, 2013
By Mary Gardner
There are times when we as Christians are so amazed at God’s work on our behalf. We know the Word and have walked in it for so many years; yet, when God moves, we are surprised. It is a way the Holy Spirit uses to show us God’s handiwork in our lives. Our spirit rejoices at God’s faithfulness and our flesh is amazed. Sometimes, I think I must not believe enough because my flesh is always wavering while my spirit rejoices. I guess that is how it is being a believer living in this earthly place. That explains why we are always fighting the flesh/spirit battle.
The dictionary shows two different definitions for the word “amaze”. The first says “bewilder, perplex” and the second, “to fill with wonder”. I personally think the first one is how our flesh reacts and the second, how the Holy Spirit within us responds. We are full of wonder at the love of the Father who knows exactly what we are going through. He knows our thoughts, our heart’s desires. He is our Father (Daddy), the most loving, most caring, most of everything to us. He fights on our behalf and loves to pour into our lives those things we truly need—the things that help us grow and become more like Him.
In our most needy times, He comes in all of His faithfulness to bring us what we need. That is when we “stand amazed” at all He is to us. Do you remember those times when you were in great distress and suddenly His presence was overwhelmingly there with you bringing His perfect peace and love? His presence is so strong, it’s almost like you can touch Him. That’s when we are truly filled with wonder and awe because it changes everything. Our flesh stills and His Spirit fills us to overflowing. He is truly everything!
This song has been coming to me for several days and that’s why I believe I am to share this with you. These are the words:
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! How wonderful
Is my Savior’s love for me!
He took my sin and my sorrows, He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died alone.
When with the ransomed in glory, His face I at last shall see
‘Twill be my joy through the ages, to sing of His love for me.
Remember, He is with you at all times; He promises He will never leave you or forsake you. You don’t have to wait for desperate times to feel His presence. You only need to stop what you are doing, quiet yourself and “be still and know that He is God.” We sometimes get so busy doing our lists that we forget the most important part of knowing Him which is spending quality time seeking His precious face. He delights in amazing us with His love and care. In His presence there is fullness of joy!
How Beautiful are the Feet of Those who Bring Good News
Mary Gardner
March 4, 2013
Lloyd and I had the opportunity and privilege to minister to the poor, needy and homeless people in South Fresno last week. We have never been invited to serve at this kind of meeting before so this was something new for us. We were given freedom by the pastors to use the time as the Holy Spirit would lead. It was a day we will never forget. The room was filled with about 100 needy, precious ones from young to old. They were coming to get food, but God had living water and eternal food He wanted to share with them. If they would eat and drink of Him, they would never thirst or be hungry again. Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed His seal of approval” (John 6:27). Jesus also said “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).
The anointing was heavy. The Holy Spirit was moving across the room like a gentle breeze back and forth through the meeting. During worship, the Lord vetoed the message Lloyd had prepared. He wanted to do a new thing! All the songs in worship were about Jesus’ love for His children. We even sang “Jesus loves me this I know”. Their faces were very transparent during the worship. There was an obvious glow on the faces of those who really knew Him and an empty blank stare on many others. Many were wiping tears from their eyes. It was a blessing to watch Jesus come and touch their hearts with His precious love!
Lloyd brought such a strong, yet gentle and loving message of who Jesus is and how we can walk with Him, how to grow in faith, etc. At the end, he challenged those who wanted to know God or know Him better, the Father, the One who died for their sins and loves them dearly, to make a declaration of their intentions, of their love, by standing up. At first, you could have heard a pin drop; no one was moving. Then, one older gentleman stood up, then another, and another, and another. One after the other; many wiping tears, came to the Lord that day and expressed their desire to know Him more. God sovereignly and sweetly touched them with His love.
Many came forward at the end for healing. The three pastors came and joined Lloyd in prayer. There was prophecy, words of knowledge and healing prayers spoken over these precious people. One man set aside his walker and walked without aid. We heard later that he was in the church that next week helping put out chairs without his walker.
Our hearts were deeply touched by this experience. We will never be the same. Once again, we see what can happen when the Holy Spirit is given a place of freedom. Teach us all, Lord, to flow with You and let Your Holy Spirit move. Oh, that we would remember that we need to let You lead this Dance!
There are many hurting people all around us every day (maybe not outwardly looking needy) but needing a touch, a hug, a word of love from God’s children. May we be alert and willing to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey. After all, we are His children, with the characteristics of our Father God. We are His hands, feet, and mouth on this earth. We are the ones with beautiful feet and hands that bring the Good News and the love of our King. Use us, Lord, I pray!
This song speaks of those who bring good news:
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth
How beautiful the feet that walked
The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross
How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ
How beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sin and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That chose to forgive and never despise
How beautiful the feet that bring
The sound of good news and the love of the King
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the Sons of the earth
Twila Paris
October 19, 2013
By Mary Gardner
There are times when we as Christians are so amazed at God’s work on our behalf. We know the Word and have walked in it for so many years; yet, when God moves, we are surprised. It is a way the Holy Spirit uses to show us God’s handiwork in our lives. Our spirit rejoices at God’s faithfulness and our flesh is amazed. Sometimes, I think I must not believe enough because my flesh is always wavering while my spirit rejoices. I guess that is how it is being a believer living in this earthly place. That explains why we are always fighting the flesh/spirit battle.
The dictionary shows two different definitions for the word “amaze”. The first says “bewilder, perplex” and the second, “to fill with wonder”. I personally think the first one is how our flesh reacts and the second, how the Holy Spirit within us responds. We are full of wonder at the love of the Father who knows exactly what we are going through. He knows our thoughts, our heart’s desires. He is our Father (Daddy), the most loving, most caring, most of everything to us. He fights on our behalf and loves to pour into our lives those things we truly need—the things that help us grow and become more like Him.
In our most needy times, He comes in all of His faithfulness to bring us what we need. That is when we “stand amazed” at all He is to us. Do you remember those times when you were in great distress and suddenly His presence was overwhelmingly there with you bringing His perfect peace and love? His presence is so strong, it’s almost like you can touch Him. That’s when we are truly filled with wonder and awe because it changes everything. Our flesh stills and His Spirit fills us to overflowing. He is truly everything!
This song has been coming to me for several days and that’s why I believe I am to share this with you. These are the words:
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! How wonderful
Is my Savior’s love for me!
He took my sin and my sorrows, He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died alone.
When with the ransomed in glory, His face I at last shall see
‘Twill be my joy through the ages, to sing of His love for me.
Remember, He is with you at all times; He promises He will never leave you or forsake you. You don’t have to wait for desperate times to feel His presence. You only need to stop what you are doing, quiet yourself and “be still and know that He is God.” We sometimes get so busy doing our lists that we forget the most important part of knowing Him which is spending quality time seeking His precious face. He delights in amazing us with His love and care. In His presence there is fullness of joy!
How Beautiful are the Feet of Those who Bring Good News
Mary Gardner
March 4, 2013
Lloyd and I had the opportunity and privilege to minister to the poor, needy and homeless people in South Fresno last week. We have never been invited to serve at this kind of meeting before so this was something new for us. We were given freedom by the pastors to use the time as the Holy Spirit would lead. It was a day we will never forget. The room was filled with about 100 needy, precious ones from young to old. They were coming to get food, but God had living water and eternal food He wanted to share with them. If they would eat and drink of Him, they would never thirst or be hungry again. Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed His seal of approval” (John 6:27). Jesus also said “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).
The anointing was heavy. The Holy Spirit was moving across the room like a gentle breeze back and forth through the meeting. During worship, the Lord vetoed the message Lloyd had prepared. He wanted to do a new thing! All the songs in worship were about Jesus’ love for His children. We even sang “Jesus loves me this I know”. Their faces were very transparent during the worship. There was an obvious glow on the faces of those who really knew Him and an empty blank stare on many others. Many were wiping tears from their eyes. It was a blessing to watch Jesus come and touch their hearts with His precious love!
Lloyd brought such a strong, yet gentle and loving message of who Jesus is and how we can walk with Him, how to grow in faith, etc. At the end, he challenged those who wanted to know God or know Him better, the Father, the One who died for their sins and loves them dearly, to make a declaration of their intentions, of their love, by standing up. At first, you could have heard a pin drop; no one was moving. Then, one older gentleman stood up, then another, and another, and another. One after the other; many wiping tears, came to the Lord that day and expressed their desire to know Him more. God sovereignly and sweetly touched them with His love.
Many came forward at the end for healing. The three pastors came and joined Lloyd in prayer. There was prophecy, words of knowledge and healing prayers spoken over these precious people. One man set aside his walker and walked without aid. We heard later that he was in the church that next week helping put out chairs without his walker.
Our hearts were deeply touched by this experience. We will never be the same. Once again, we see what can happen when the Holy Spirit is given a place of freedom. Teach us all, Lord, to flow with You and let Your Holy Spirit move. Oh, that we would remember that we need to let You lead this Dance!
There are many hurting people all around us every day (maybe not outwardly looking needy) but needing a touch, a hug, a word of love from God’s children. May we be alert and willing to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey. After all, we are His children, with the characteristics of our Father God. We are His hands, feet, and mouth on this earth. We are the ones with beautiful feet and hands that bring the Good News and the love of our King. Use us, Lord, I pray!
This song speaks of those who bring good news:
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth
How beautiful the feet that walked
The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross
How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ
How beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sin and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That chose to forgive and never despise
How beautiful the feet that bring
The sound of good news and the love of the King
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the Sons of the earth
Twila Paris
LOOKING AHEAD
By Mary Gardner
What is your expectation for this new year, 2013? What is your hope? Psalms 62:5 says, “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.”
I believe that a time is coming very soon that will severely test our hearts and minds and we will need to be prepared by knowing the word and most importantly, knowing the One who is the Word, the One who lives in us! How will we stand firm if we have a shaky foundation? Our foundation needs to be like cement or rock; so solid that the rains and the winds of the world cannot break it apart. Then, we must stand on it with courage and strength that only comes with knowing the hope that dwells within us. Psalms 31 says that our hearts will be strong and courageous IF we hope in the Lord.
There are some wonderful promises in the word about the hope within us. Romans 5:5 says “Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us”. John wrote “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure” (I John 3:3).
My desire for 2013 is to pursue Him; run after Him with all my heart. In Psalms 119:147, we are told, “O rise before the dawning of the morning and cry for help, I hope in Your word”. To me that means I need to spend time with Him first, give Him the first fruits of my time. My desire is to have a foundation that cannot be shaken, no matter what is going on around me. It’s time to quit making excuses. It’s time to act!
Ask God about His expectation for you—your calling in 2013. Where does He want to take you? In what area does He want to enlarge your heart? What is HIS plan for 2013 for you? He will show you.
This is my prayer for all of us for 2013 from Ephesians 1:16ff:
I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the HOPE of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Father, give us a deeper hunger for Your presence. Let our eyes not look at worthless things. Give us ears to discern Your voice and be quick to obey it. Come and sit with us and reveal our hearts . Heal us and make us whole. Give us new hope for the future and a strong foundation of truth to stand on. Our hope is in You! Amen.
This hymn speaks of this solid rock on which we need to stand:
My hope is built on nothing less than
Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid Rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
Ed. Mote/Wm. Bradbury
Hear the Hillsong version at http://youtu.be/nZq9xTfHvgo
By Mary Gardner
What is your expectation for this new year, 2013? What is your hope? Psalms 62:5 says, “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.”
I believe that a time is coming very soon that will severely test our hearts and minds and we will need to be prepared by knowing the word and most importantly, knowing the One who is the Word, the One who lives in us! How will we stand firm if we have a shaky foundation? Our foundation needs to be like cement or rock; so solid that the rains and the winds of the world cannot break it apart. Then, we must stand on it with courage and strength that only comes with knowing the hope that dwells within us. Psalms 31 says that our hearts will be strong and courageous IF we hope in the Lord.
There are some wonderful promises in the word about the hope within us. Romans 5:5 says “Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us”. John wrote “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure” (I John 3:3).
My desire for 2013 is to pursue Him; run after Him with all my heart. In Psalms 119:147, we are told, “O rise before the dawning of the morning and cry for help, I hope in Your word”. To me that means I need to spend time with Him first, give Him the first fruits of my time. My desire is to have a foundation that cannot be shaken, no matter what is going on around me. It’s time to quit making excuses. It’s time to act!
Ask God about His expectation for you—your calling in 2013. Where does He want to take you? In what area does He want to enlarge your heart? What is HIS plan for 2013 for you? He will show you.
This is my prayer for all of us for 2013 from Ephesians 1:16ff:
I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the HOPE of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Father, give us a deeper hunger for Your presence. Let our eyes not look at worthless things. Give us ears to discern Your voice and be quick to obey it. Come and sit with us and reveal our hearts . Heal us and make us whole. Give us new hope for the future and a strong foundation of truth to stand on. Our hope is in You! Amen.
This hymn speaks of this solid rock on which we need to stand:
My hope is built on nothing less than
Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid Rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
Ed. Mote/Wm. Bradbury
Hear the Hillsong version at http://youtu.be/nZq9xTfHvgo
