But you, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who
lifts up my head. Psalms 3:3
There are many who go through life believing that there is
something that the acquisition of would make them happy. They think that if they
had money it would make them happy; if they were married they would be happy;
if they had this position they'd be happy; etc. Their thoughts go like this," If
only.... "; or "I wish....". Some live their lives longing for these things and
never obtaining them while others strive for and obtain them only to find they
are still unfulfilled. Everyone was born needy. When I say needy, I am not
speaking of our physical needs to live, but our spiritual need that brings life.
We've heard people speak of a God shaped vacuum in the soul of every man and
every man created has the need of God's life in Him. I believe Adam and Eve had
a covering of glory prior to their fall. Sin brought shame and nakedness, but
the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ brought restoration. Jesus said, "And
the glory You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are
one." The Lord is our covering and our glory. He is the one in whom we find our
joy, peace, and fulfillment. There is only One who can satisfy the longing of
our heart.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Encouragement for Today
I will lift my eyes to the hills----from whence comes my help? My
help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalms121:
1,2
The psalmist is not looking at the hills for help. He
is asking a question," Where is my help coming from?" He then answers his own
question, "My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth." Look to
the one who made the hills. I don't know about you, but too often I find myself
looking to someone or something else before I take my problem to the Lord. Why
is it that we first exhaust all human possibilities before we seek the Lord with
a problem? I really thought I had gotten better about seeking the Lord first
with my problem, but I had another reminder a few days ago.
My son who is working temporarily in Palm Springs, California has his
mail coming to our house. The things that were important I collected and sent to
him. There two large envelopes containing very important information. One
arrived normally, but the other and the most important of the two, he did not
receive. A week later it still hadn't been found and it could have been a very
bad situation and at the least a lot of aggravation. Finally, after rehearsing
possibilities for several days Danna and I seriously committed to pray for it to
be found. It turns out that the very same night my son who was very concerned
committed it to the Lord in prayer. The next day he sent me an e-mail that
simply said, "Hallelujah! the package came." Kind of reminds me of an old song ,
"O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do
not carry everything to God in prayer". Our God is an ever present help in time
of trouble. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. Our help comes from the Lord, maker
of heaven and earth.
help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalms121:
1,2
The psalmist is not looking at the hills for help. He
is asking a question," Where is my help coming from?" He then answers his own
question, "My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth." Look to
the one who made the hills. I don't know about you, but too often I find myself
looking to someone or something else before I take my problem to the Lord. Why
is it that we first exhaust all human possibilities before we seek the Lord with
a problem? I really thought I had gotten better about seeking the Lord first
with my problem, but I had another reminder a few days ago.
My son who is working temporarily in Palm Springs, California has his
mail coming to our house. The things that were important I collected and sent to
him. There two large envelopes containing very important information. One
arrived normally, but the other and the most important of the two, he did not
receive. A week later it still hadn't been found and it could have been a very
bad situation and at the least a lot of aggravation. Finally, after rehearsing
possibilities for several days Danna and I seriously committed to pray for it to
be found. It turns out that the very same night my son who was very concerned
committed it to the Lord in prayer. The next day he sent me an e-mail that
simply said, "Hallelujah! the package came." Kind of reminds me of an old song ,
"O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do
not carry everything to God in prayer". Our God is an ever present help in time
of trouble. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. Our help comes from the Lord, maker
of heaven and earth.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Encouraging Word for Today
Remember the word to your servant, upon which You have caused me to
hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.
Psalms 119:49,50
A leading psycholgist at a mental facility shared that if they
could somehow infuse the people kept there with hope, they could send them home.
Hope is a powerful thing. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking, but a confident
expectation of a desired end. Our hope is as sure as the object of that hope is
faithful. I sense that there are those this morning that are feeling a sense of
hopelessness. Bodies racked with pain, broken relationships, stacks of bills
piled high with little or no means to pay them, and countless other situations
steal one's hope. This is exacerbated by the enemy of our souls saying to us,
"There is no hope for you in God." The psalmist says to the Lord, "Remember". Do
we have to remind God of His promise because He is absent-minded? Has He
forgotten His promises? No, He hasn't, but in our reminding the Lord we remind
ourselves, we give the promise value, and we set ourselves in agreement with
what He said.
It is easier to endure hardship when we know there is a desired
end. Our hope is sure because our God is faithful.
Hopelessness is the lie of the enemy. Just as lies bring hopelessness, the word
of God gives hope. Hope is the soil in which faith is planted. Has the Lord
given you a word? Hold fast to that word. God is not a man that He should lie.
You can safely trust in Him. His words are spirit and they are life. A word from
the Lord can change your life. As the psalmist said we, too, can say,"Your word
has given me life."
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it
is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.
Psalms 119:49,50
A leading psycholgist at a mental facility shared that if they
could somehow infuse the people kept there with hope, they could send them home.
Hope is a powerful thing. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking, but a confident
expectation of a desired end. Our hope is as sure as the object of that hope is
faithful. I sense that there are those this morning that are feeling a sense of
hopelessness. Bodies racked with pain, broken relationships, stacks of bills
piled high with little or no means to pay them, and countless other situations
steal one's hope. This is exacerbated by the enemy of our souls saying to us,
"There is no hope for you in God." The psalmist says to the Lord, "Remember". Do
we have to remind God of His promise because He is absent-minded? Has He
forgotten His promises? No, He hasn't, but in our reminding the Lord we remind
ourselves, we give the promise value, and we set ourselves in agreement with
what He said.
It is easier to endure hardship when we know there is a desired
end. Our hope is sure because our God is faithful.
Hopelessness is the lie of the enemy. Just as lies bring hopelessness, the word
of God gives hope. Hope is the soil in which faith is planted. Has the Lord
given you a word? Hold fast to that word. God is not a man that He should lie.
You can safely trust in Him. His words are spirit and they are life. A word from
the Lord can change your life. As the psalmist said we, too, can say,"Your word
has given me life."
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it
is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Encouragement for Today
The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief
cornerstone. Psalms 118:22
At times in our lives we all deal with rejection. Rejection can stem
from many things, personality, looks, race, financial status, etc. The rejection
mentioned in this verse was man's rejection of Christ. If we are the chosen of
God rejection comes with the territory. Paul's goal was to know Him and the
power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.(Philippians
3:10) If we know Him we will know the fellowship of His sufferings. Part of that
suffering is the rejection of men and it may even come from those who are close
to us. Knowing this does not necessarily remove the pain, but it helps us
understand that it is part of the process of being conformed to His image.
I began praying Ph.3:10 over myself years ago. After being extremely
hurt by some people, I questioned the Lord as to what was going on. This is what
I believe God said to me (you can test it with your own spirit), that this was
an answer to my prayer, that I could not know the power of the resurrection
without knowing the fellowship of His sufferings. I am not saying God caused
this thing to happen, but our God who is able to bring redemptive purpose out of
everything that comes into our lives is redeeming it now even as I write. We
cannot know the power of the resurrection except something first dies.
Rejections will come, but remember you are accepted in the beloved, a
son of the most high God, a choice vessel of the Lord. He came unto His own and
His own received Him not. He experienced rejection and so will we, but that
which has been rejected by the world is chosen of God.
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but
chosen by God and precious, you also as living stones, are being built up a
spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable
to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4,5
cornerstone. Psalms 118:22
At times in our lives we all deal with rejection. Rejection can stem
from many things, personality, looks, race, financial status, etc. The rejection
mentioned in this verse was man's rejection of Christ. If we are the chosen of
God rejection comes with the territory. Paul's goal was to know Him and the
power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.(Philippians
3:10) If we know Him we will know the fellowship of His sufferings. Part of that
suffering is the rejection of men and it may even come from those who are close
to us. Knowing this does not necessarily remove the pain, but it helps us
understand that it is part of the process of being conformed to His image.
I began praying Ph.3:10 over myself years ago. After being extremely
hurt by some people, I questioned the Lord as to what was going on. This is what
I believe God said to me (you can test it with your own spirit), that this was
an answer to my prayer, that I could not know the power of the resurrection
without knowing the fellowship of His sufferings. I am not saying God caused
this thing to happen, but our God who is able to bring redemptive purpose out of
everything that comes into our lives is redeeming it now even as I write. We
cannot know the power of the resurrection except something first dies.
Rejections will come, but remember you are accepted in the beloved, a
son of the most high God, a choice vessel of the Lord. He came unto His own and
His own received Him not. He experienced rejection and so will we, but that
which has been rejected by the world is chosen of God.
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but
chosen by God and precious, you also as living stones, are being built up a
spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable
to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4,5
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Taxes, Detours, and the Sovereignty of God
Dear friends,
I hope this message finds you well. I would like to revisit a few thoughts from a Christmas message in 2008. I believe it will be an encouragement to you wherever you might find yourself this Christmas. The first advent of Christ was an awesome event and we look forward to the second advent which is nearer now than when we first believed. I pray we will all have room in our hearts this Christmas for the one whose coming we celebrate. May you be encouraged by the awesomeness of our God.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:1
Why is it that tax notices always come at the end of the year right before Christmas time? No, I'm not trying to make that spiritual, but just to say, I'm sure Mary and Joseph were probably not excited about traveling all the way to Bethlehem to be registered for taxes. I know I wouldn't have been happy about it. Think about for just a moment; here is Mary probably 8 or 9 months pregnant or as the scripture said great with child and the getting word that they must go 70 miles on foot to be registered for a tax levied by the empire that held their people captive. I can't imagine a pregnant lady that far along having to walk 70 miles. I know pictures show Joseph leading a donkey on which Mary was riding, but personally I doubt that they had a donkey. He's not mentioned in scripture and we know that Mary and Joseph were very poor. We know this because when Jesus was dedicated they sacrificed pigeons which was the sacrifice of the poor who could not afford a lamb. ( God has chosen the poor, rich in faith.) It is quite probable that Mary in her very pregnant condition had to walk the entire way. I have found that the ways of God are not always comfortable. He is more interested in developing our character and the fulfillment of His purposes than our convenience or comfort.
Mary and Joseph were devout in their faith. I don't know how much of the scripture they knew or how well they understood prophecy. It is not likely they got up that morning and said we need to hurry to Bethlehem so Jesus can be born there. You see in the purposes of God a pagan emperor by the name of Caesar Augustus had a role to play. God used a pagan emperor to position Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem at the set time, the appointed time of God for the Christ child to be born. God had foreordained that the Bread of Life be born in the House of Bread (Bethlehem).In Greek we have at least two words for time. One, chronos is regular time but chairos time is the appointed time, the set time or appointed time. Mary and Joseph, being obedient servants did what was required of them and in the walking out of the chronos the chairos came. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. You see God can use things we see as difficulties to position us for the blessing. Let's look at another couple of examples.
What about the Old Testament Joseph? God had given him some great prophetic dreams concerning his future. Yet, we find him first in the pit, then Potiphar's house as a slave and then in prison. He had all those detours before reaching the palace. Those detours positioned and prepared him for the fulfillment of his God-given dreams.
Then there was King David. He was anointed as a king while yet a teenager and then spent years in the wilderness dwelling in caves fleeing from Saul. Often the trials we face are proportionate to the level of authority God wants to entrust to us. Tribulation works patience and patience has a perfecting or maturing work. (James 1) We see those trials in Paul's life as well. Tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience or proven character. (Romans 5)
Our tribulation, our detours, may be positioning us for the blessing of God. They may be preparation for something greater. God may be preparing us for a new level of authority. I don't know what you may be going through; it may be problems of your own making, but be encouraged. God is able to bring redemptive purpose out of everything that comes into our lives. He's good that way.
Friends, Jesus came during a very dark time. There had been no prophetic word for 400 years. Israel was under the dominion of the Roman empire. The Light was revealed at a dark time in history, but like Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 60 we can say in our day,
"Arise, shine for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Is. 60:1-3.
I believe this is to be the church's finest hour. It is time to shine. It is a time of shaking, but the glory of the latter house comes forth after the shaking.
A good many years ago as the pastor was reading the Christmas story in the school chapel, the Lord spoke a word to me when he read about the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. He said, " Those shepherds who have been faithful in the dark of night are the ones to whom I will reveal my glory." You faithful church leaders, some of you feel almost like God has forgotten you, do not be discouraged. God will reveal great things to you in the days ahead.
I had not intended for this to turn into a potpourri, but God can use that, too. I hope this has been encouraging to you. Thank you so much for your encouragement to me over the years. I pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas season and that 2012 will be a blessed year for you. 12 is the number of government and I pray God's divine order for you life. His kingdom come! His will be done! God bless you.
In His love,
Herb Dean
I hope this message finds you well. I would like to revisit a few thoughts from a Christmas message in 2008. I believe it will be an encouragement to you wherever you might find yourself this Christmas. The first advent of Christ was an awesome event and we look forward to the second advent which is nearer now than when we first believed. I pray we will all have room in our hearts this Christmas for the one whose coming we celebrate. May you be encouraged by the awesomeness of our God.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:1
Why is it that tax notices always come at the end of the year right before Christmas time? No, I'm not trying to make that spiritual, but just to say, I'm sure Mary and Joseph were probably not excited about traveling all the way to Bethlehem to be registered for taxes. I know I wouldn't have been happy about it. Think about for just a moment; here is Mary probably 8 or 9 months pregnant or as the scripture said great with child and the getting word that they must go 70 miles on foot to be registered for a tax levied by the empire that held their people captive. I can't imagine a pregnant lady that far along having to walk 70 miles. I know pictures show Joseph leading a donkey on which Mary was riding, but personally I doubt that they had a donkey. He's not mentioned in scripture and we know that Mary and Joseph were very poor. We know this because when Jesus was dedicated they sacrificed pigeons which was the sacrifice of the poor who could not afford a lamb. ( God has chosen the poor, rich in faith.) It is quite probable that Mary in her very pregnant condition had to walk the entire way. I have found that the ways of God are not always comfortable. He is more interested in developing our character and the fulfillment of His purposes than our convenience or comfort.
Mary and Joseph were devout in their faith. I don't know how much of the scripture they knew or how well they understood prophecy. It is not likely they got up that morning and said we need to hurry to Bethlehem so Jesus can be born there. You see in the purposes of God a pagan emperor by the name of Caesar Augustus had a role to play. God used a pagan emperor to position Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem at the set time, the appointed time of God for the Christ child to be born. God had foreordained that the Bread of Life be born in the House of Bread (Bethlehem).In Greek we have at least two words for time. One, chronos is regular time but chairos time is the appointed time, the set time or appointed time. Mary and Joseph, being obedient servants did what was required of them and in the walking out of the chronos the chairos came. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. You see God can use things we see as difficulties to position us for the blessing. Let's look at another couple of examples.
What about the Old Testament Joseph? God had given him some great prophetic dreams concerning his future. Yet, we find him first in the pit, then Potiphar's house as a slave and then in prison. He had all those detours before reaching the palace. Those detours positioned and prepared him for the fulfillment of his God-given dreams.
Then there was King David. He was anointed as a king while yet a teenager and then spent years in the wilderness dwelling in caves fleeing from Saul. Often the trials we face are proportionate to the level of authority God wants to entrust to us. Tribulation works patience and patience has a perfecting or maturing work. (James 1) We see those trials in Paul's life as well. Tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience or proven character. (Romans 5)
Our tribulation, our detours, may be positioning us for the blessing of God. They may be preparation for something greater. God may be preparing us for a new level of authority. I don't know what you may be going through; it may be problems of your own making, but be encouraged. God is able to bring redemptive purpose out of everything that comes into our lives. He's good that way.
Friends, Jesus came during a very dark time. There had been no prophetic word for 400 years. Israel was under the dominion of the Roman empire. The Light was revealed at a dark time in history, but like Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 60 we can say in our day,
"Arise, shine for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Is. 60:1-3.
I believe this is to be the church's finest hour. It is time to shine. It is a time of shaking, but the glory of the latter house comes forth after the shaking.
A good many years ago as the pastor was reading the Christmas story in the school chapel, the Lord spoke a word to me when he read about the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. He said, " Those shepherds who have been faithful in the dark of night are the ones to whom I will reveal my glory." You faithful church leaders, some of you feel almost like God has forgotten you, do not be discouraged. God will reveal great things to you in the days ahead.
I had not intended for this to turn into a potpourri, but God can use that, too. I hope this has been encouraging to you. Thank you so much for your encouragement to me over the years. I pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas season and that 2012 will be a blessed year for you. 12 is the number of government and I pray God's divine order for you life. His kingdom come! His will be done! God bless you.
In His love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The Love of God
Dear friends,
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had a thought that might encourage someone so I decided to send it out. May you ever be encouraged by the love of God.
It has been my personal experience and my experience in counseling that many people have difficulty really believing that God loves them. This is often because of their past. They may have done things that they feel make them unworthy to receive God's love. Though they are Christians they have not fully appropriated the work of the cross. They still carry the burdens of self-condemnation, guilt, shame, and regret. I was thinking about this as I prepared my Sunday message and the prodigal son came to mind. We have all heard it preached various and sundry ways, but I felt the Lord was giving me a fresh application. Think about this for a moment; the prodigal son spent his inheritance in riotous living. He consumed his living with harlots and on a life of debauchery. As wicked as he had been, living totally contrary to the things he had been taught, he finally came to his senses and returned home content to be just a servant in his father's home. When the father saw him, he ran and embraced him even before he could speak his prerehearsed speech of repentance.
I'm just thinking as I write and here's what comes to mind:
Because of his wickedness, he could no longer perceive himself as a son. The guilt he bore caused him to be willing to settle for being a lowly servant instead of a son. He did not understand the love of his father. He felt he could never again have an intimate relationship with the father.
The good news is that regardless of what he had done, his father still loved him. In fact, when he was doing his worst the father never stopped loving him.
It was God's love that put Jesus on the cross and His sacrifice was sufficient to cover what ever you have done. If you are still carrying guilt and shame, it may be unrecognized by you, but you are still trying to pay a debt that was fully paid. When He said it was finished, it was. It is time you took condemnation, guilt, shame, and regret to the cross and received the Father's embrace. He loves you and He desires intimacy with you.
As the old song says, "The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell." Of faith, hope, and love the greatest is love. Hope sustains us; faith will make you an overcomer, but love will make you more than a conqueror. Nothing can separate us from the love of God and today God wants you to hear His words,"I love you."
I know many of you are secure in God's love and I praise the Lord for that, but there are still many who need those yokes broken off to receive His yoke. May God's richest blessing be yours and may you know the height, depth, and breadth of His love.
In hIs love,
Herb Dean
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had a thought that might encourage someone so I decided to send it out. May you ever be encouraged by the love of God.
It has been my personal experience and my experience in counseling that many people have difficulty really believing that God loves them. This is often because of their past. They may have done things that they feel make them unworthy to receive God's love. Though they are Christians they have not fully appropriated the work of the cross. They still carry the burdens of self-condemnation, guilt, shame, and regret. I was thinking about this as I prepared my Sunday message and the prodigal son came to mind. We have all heard it preached various and sundry ways, but I felt the Lord was giving me a fresh application. Think about this for a moment; the prodigal son spent his inheritance in riotous living. He consumed his living with harlots and on a life of debauchery. As wicked as he had been, living totally contrary to the things he had been taught, he finally came to his senses and returned home content to be just a servant in his father's home. When the father saw him, he ran and embraced him even before he could speak his prerehearsed speech of repentance.
I'm just thinking as I write and here's what comes to mind:
Because of his wickedness, he could no longer perceive himself as a son. The guilt he bore caused him to be willing to settle for being a lowly servant instead of a son. He did not understand the love of his father. He felt he could never again have an intimate relationship with the father.
The good news is that regardless of what he had done, his father still loved him. In fact, when he was doing his worst the father never stopped loving him.
It was God's love that put Jesus on the cross and His sacrifice was sufficient to cover what ever you have done. If you are still carrying guilt and shame, it may be unrecognized by you, but you are still trying to pay a debt that was fully paid. When He said it was finished, it was. It is time you took condemnation, guilt, shame, and regret to the cross and received the Father's embrace. He loves you and He desires intimacy with you.
As the old song says, "The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell." Of faith, hope, and love the greatest is love. Hope sustains us; faith will make you an overcomer, but love will make you more than a conqueror. Nothing can separate us from the love of God and today God wants you to hear His words,"I love you."
I know many of you are secure in God's love and I praise the Lord for that, but there are still many who need those yokes broken off to receive His yoke. May God's richest blessing be yours and may you know the height, depth, and breadth of His love.
In hIs love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Silence of God
Dear friends,
I hope you are well. It has been quite some time since I have written. I don't like to write for writings sake, and there hasn't a lot that was fresh and burning in my heart. I believe I am in a place of transition and the Lord is not giving clear direction at this time. I want to share a few thoughts about this time of silence because in conversations with other leaders there are many others going through a similar thing. What does it mean when God is silent? Here are some ideas I feel the Lord has given me.
1. His silence is a summons. I once heard someone say that hearing is matter of proximity. If someone is whispering in the back of a large room, you cannot hear them, but if they are whispering in your ear you can.
I believe God speaks even in His silence and one of the things He is saying in His silence is," Draw near".
John could hear the heartbeat of Jesus because his head was on Jesus' chest.
2. His silence often preceded great change. When Eli was judge the word of the Lord was rare in those days. There was no widespread revelation. Then came Samuel who as the next judge of Israel would anoint its first two kings which ,of course, included David. Before the coming of Christ there was a period of four hundred years of silence. A minister blogged recently and said he knew of at least twenty-five people that had walked with the Lord a long time and heard the Lord but were receiving no directional instruction from the Lord right now. His blog title was "What If" and basically what he said was, what if these people are in a holding pattern because something is about to happen that will change the whole landscape of things. Could it be that our lives as we have known them are about to change? Could it be that how we operate is about to radically change?
3. His silence is to get our attention. Have you ever had a teacher or preacher who would get very silent and would wait for you to get silent as well before they would speak because what they had to say was very important and they wanted to be sure you heard it? There are many voices vying for our attention and sometimes it is only in the quietness that we hear the voice of the Lord. It seems the Lord is waiting for our attention before He speaks.
4. His silence causes us to revisit what He has already said. Sometimes we fail to walk in the last thing He said. If we are not walking in the things He has spoken why should He give us more. Sometimes we are guilty of heaping unto ourselves prophecies without walking in obedience. The word to Israel did not profit them because it was not mixed with faith.
5. His silence cause us to refocus. Hebrews says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.." The psalmist said that God would guide us with His eyes. Too often, I find myself looking for His hands when it is His face I should be seeking.
So what are we to do during this time?
1. Continue in what He last told you to do.
2. Seek the Lord with your whole heart. Draw near to Him.
3. Take time to listen. Wait on the Lord.
4. Read and meditate on His word. It is often in reading and meditation that the logos becomes rhema.
5. Do not lose heart. God has not forsaken you; His plan is about unfold.
I hope that encourages you. These are exciting times and regardless of what our eschatology may be, we can say with surety that our redemption is much nearer than when we first believed. On a personal note, I have felt that I was to go other places and minister. I am not one to promote myself and I simply ask if we have ministered to you over the years, that you prayerfully consider having us come. My calendar is open and I have a great deal of flexibility. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
In his love,
Herb Dean
I hope you are well. It has been quite some time since I have written. I don't like to write for writings sake, and there hasn't a lot that was fresh and burning in my heart. I believe I am in a place of transition and the Lord is not giving clear direction at this time. I want to share a few thoughts about this time of silence because in conversations with other leaders there are many others going through a similar thing. What does it mean when God is silent? Here are some ideas I feel the Lord has given me.
1. His silence is a summons. I once heard someone say that hearing is matter of proximity. If someone is whispering in the back of a large room, you cannot hear them, but if they are whispering in your ear you can.
I believe God speaks even in His silence and one of the things He is saying in His silence is," Draw near".
John could hear the heartbeat of Jesus because his head was on Jesus' chest.
2. His silence often preceded great change. When Eli was judge the word of the Lord was rare in those days. There was no widespread revelation. Then came Samuel who as the next judge of Israel would anoint its first two kings which ,of course, included David. Before the coming of Christ there was a period of four hundred years of silence. A minister blogged recently and said he knew of at least twenty-five people that had walked with the Lord a long time and heard the Lord but were receiving no directional instruction from the Lord right now. His blog title was "What If" and basically what he said was, what if these people are in a holding pattern because something is about to happen that will change the whole landscape of things. Could it be that our lives as we have known them are about to change? Could it be that how we operate is about to radically change?
3. His silence is to get our attention. Have you ever had a teacher or preacher who would get very silent and would wait for you to get silent as well before they would speak because what they had to say was very important and they wanted to be sure you heard it? There are many voices vying for our attention and sometimes it is only in the quietness that we hear the voice of the Lord. It seems the Lord is waiting for our attention before He speaks.
4. His silence causes us to revisit what He has already said. Sometimes we fail to walk in the last thing He said. If we are not walking in the things He has spoken why should He give us more. Sometimes we are guilty of heaping unto ourselves prophecies without walking in obedience. The word to Israel did not profit them because it was not mixed with faith.
5. His silence cause us to refocus. Hebrews says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.." The psalmist said that God would guide us with His eyes. Too often, I find myself looking for His hands when it is His face I should be seeking.
So what are we to do during this time?
1. Continue in what He last told you to do.
2. Seek the Lord with your whole heart. Draw near to Him.
3. Take time to listen. Wait on the Lord.
4. Read and meditate on His word. It is often in reading and meditation that the logos becomes rhema.
5. Do not lose heart. God has not forsaken you; His plan is about unfold.
I hope that encourages you. These are exciting times and regardless of what our eschatology may be, we can say with surety that our redemption is much nearer than when we first believed. On a personal note, I have felt that I was to go other places and minister. I am not one to promote myself and I simply ask if we have ministered to you over the years, that you prayerfully consider having us come. My calendar is open and I have a great deal of flexibility. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
In his love,
Herb Dean
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