Vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment,
and will not disappoint;
and will not disappoint;
if it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come,
it will not be late.
it will surely come,
it will not be late.
Habakkuk 1:3
I Will Dwell
The glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate.
The vision I saw was like the vision which I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and like the vision which I had seen by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. As the glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
The house shall no more defile my holy name .
While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple; and he said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel for ever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their harlotry, and by the dead bodies of their kings.
Ezekiel 43:3-7
The vision I saw was like the vision which I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and like the vision which I had seen by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. As the glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
The house shall no more defile my holy name .
While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple; and he said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel for ever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their harlotry, and by the dead bodies of their kings.
Ezekiel 43:3-7
THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES
Revelation 4: 1 - 11
1
After this I looked, and lo, in heaven an open door! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up hither, and I will show you what must take place after this."
2
At once I was in the Spirit, and lo, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne!
3
And he who sat there appeared like jasper and carnelian, and round the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald.
4
Round the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clad in white garments, with golden crowns upon their heads.
5
From the throne issue flashes of lightning, and voices and peals of thunder, and before the throne burn seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God;
In October of 2007, I was installed as the first Head Servant of the new Planning Council. The structure of the Parish was changed in line with the outcome of the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly. The original Parish Pastoral Council was divided into two, namely the Planning Council and the Implementing Council. As such, we are now four who presides over the Councils Meeting, namely the Pastor, Planning Head, Implementing Head, and Finance Head. All four comprises the Parish Executive Committee (Execom) whose role is to look into all matters of church life as one body of Christ.
7 the first living creature like a lion,
THE LION - FINANCE:
In the book "Lion Taming" by Steven L. Katz, a person who possess a lion character is an individual who is his own person. He is a king who reigns from wherever he or she stands. As leaders, they are pressumed to be self-sufficient. Lions are territory guardians with uncompromised leadership. The the king of the animal kingdom so to speak, whose iron fist rule is absolute. A type of leadership that is fitting to one who holds responsibilities regarding Finance. As steward and keeper of the Lord's treasures, he must at all times be firm and transparent. He is what he is, strong and uncompromising, never to be moved and persuaded at the expense of his duties.
THE OX - PLANNING:
In February of 1961, I was born in the year of "The Ox". In chinese belief, people who were born under the influence of the Ox are blessed with equilibrium and tenacity. Few could match their determination and persistence once they have set their mind on a goal. Such a character trait fits being Head of Planning who gives directions to Parish Programs and Actitivies.
Ox people quietly labor at their daily tasks unremittingly and without complaint. They know that the way to succeed is by slow, sustained effort and they certainly don't believe in get-rich-quick schemes. The Oxen are driven by a compulsion to work hard and have no truck with free-loaders, nor with the lazy. They are both trustworthy and trusting but not particularly outgoing, often preferring self-reliance to reliance on other people.
Ox people are always as good as their word and as dependable as clockwork in their habits. And they form very strong bonds with their partners and families and make good, lifelong friends. The Ox stubbornness makes them to be staunch, upstanding and forthright. These qualities contribute toward integrity and the Ox's ability to shoulder responsibility.
Next year 2009 is again my year as an ox person.
THE FACE OF A MAN - IMPLEMENTING
No man is an island, no man stands alone. Man was created to have a companion, somebody whom he can share his life with. This befits the character of the Implementing Head. He leads a council with the most people. that is comprised of the six (6) priority commissions
THE FLYING EAGLE - PASTOR
Eagle takes to flight.
8 And the four living creatures,
THE SIX (6) PRIORITY COMMISSIONS
9
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,
THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS
11
"Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created."
1
After this I looked, and lo, in heaven an open door! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up hither, and I will show you what must take place after this."
2
At once I was in the Spirit, and lo, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne!
3
And he who sat there appeared like jasper and carnelian, and round the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald.
4
Round the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clad in white garments, with golden crowns upon their heads.
5
From the throne issue flashes of lightning, and voices and peals of thunder, and before the throne burn seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God;
6 and before the throne there is
as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And round the throne,
on each side of the throne,
are four living creatures,
full of eyes in front and behind:
In October of 2007, I was installed as the first Head Servant of the new Planning Council. The structure of the Parish was changed in line with the outcome of the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly. The original Parish Pastoral Council was divided into two, namely the Planning Council and the Implementing Council. As such, we are now four who presides over the Councils Meeting, namely the Pastor, Planning Head, Implementing Head, and Finance Head. All four comprises the Parish Executive Committee (Execom) whose role is to look into all matters of church life as one body of Christ.
7 the first living creature like a lion,
the second living creature like an ox,
the third living creature with the face of a man,
and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle.
THE LION - FINANCE:
In the book "Lion Taming" by Steven L. Katz, a person who possess a lion character is an individual who is his own person. He is a king who reigns from wherever he or she stands. As leaders, they are pressumed to be self-sufficient. Lions are territory guardians with uncompromised leadership. The the king of the animal kingdom so to speak, whose iron fist rule is absolute. A type of leadership that is fitting to one who holds responsibilities regarding Finance. As steward and keeper of the Lord's treasures, he must at all times be firm and transparent. He is what he is, strong and uncompromising, never to be moved and persuaded at the expense of his duties.
THE OX - PLANNING:
In February of 1961, I was born in the year of "The Ox". In chinese belief, people who were born under the influence of the Ox are blessed with equilibrium and tenacity. Few could match their determination and persistence once they have set their mind on a goal. Such a character trait fits being Head of Planning who gives directions to Parish Programs and Actitivies.
Ox people quietly labor at their daily tasks unremittingly and without complaint. They know that the way to succeed is by slow, sustained effort and they certainly don't believe in get-rich-quick schemes. The Oxen are driven by a compulsion to work hard and have no truck with free-loaders, nor with the lazy. They are both trustworthy and trusting but not particularly outgoing, often preferring self-reliance to reliance on other people.
Ox people are always as good as their word and as dependable as clockwork in their habits. And they form very strong bonds with their partners and families and make good, lifelong friends. The Ox stubbornness makes them to be staunch, upstanding and forthright. These qualities contribute toward integrity and the Ox's ability to shoulder responsibility.
Next year 2009 is again my year as an ox person.
THE FACE OF A MAN - IMPLEMENTING
No man is an island, no man stands alone. Man was created to have a companion, somebody whom he can share his life with. This befits the character of the Implementing Head. He leads a council with the most people. that is comprised of the six (6) priority commissions
THE FLYING EAGLE - PASTOR
Eagle takes to flight.
8 And the four living creatures,
each of them with six wings,
are full of eyes all round and within,
and day and night they never cease to sing,
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!"
THE SIX (6) PRIORITY COMMISSIONS
9
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,
THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS
11
"Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created."
LOSING LIFE FOR GOD'S SAKE
November 11, 2005
Friday
In Matthew 16:25, the Lord said, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
I can say that it is easier for me to loose my life for Your sake in Christ today because basically, I am jobless so to speak, and I do not have any sound financial investments and savings in the bank. The truth of the matter today is that I am bankrupt, totally dependent on Your provisions that supports our existence from day to day. Maybe this is also one of the reasons why I could devote more time in Your service. Will my devotion and commitment to serve You really stand in case You decide to grant all the material things I desire?
I know that I failed miserably with regards to the opportunities and blessings that You have lavishly given me in the past. I have no excuses for that, maybe such failures on the positive side became a learning experience and a gateway for me to know You more. I have lost a life but in Your goodness and grace, I have found the value of true life in You!
You brought me to a new city where You begun in me a new life with You. What comes next is all up to You. You know very well what is in my mind and heart, my hopes, dreams, and aspirations, for You are the One who created me. You know what is best for me and my family and I live it all up to You. At present, as I patiently wait upon You, Your will and revelations, I humbly stand in obedience to Your will and purpose for this new found life that You have given me.
I shared my wife today Your words that struck me. It is not by accident that You have again emphasized this reading taken from the book "Experiencing God" to be exactly the same as that of the Gospel today.
LEGITIMATE RIGHTS
Christians are commanded to lose their lives. This means they ought to deliberately release their lives to God and His kingdom. One of the greatest hindrances to your being on mission with God will be your view of what constitutes your "legitimate rights" - that is, those things that you feel you have a right to experience and enjoy. It's not difficult to turn over to Christ those things that are not a sacrifice or that you would prefer to do without anyway. Rather, it is the things that are good and that are dear to you that may stand between you and God's will.
ANOTHER CITY
It's good to be near your grown children and grandchildren, for example, but God may want you to go to another city or continent on mission with Him. It's good to get adequate rest, but you may receive a call of distress in the middle of the night. You may assume that you have a right to certain material things, yet God may ask you to release all of your possessions to Him and His purposes (Matt. 19:21).
RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE
Jesus modeled perfectly this attitude toward life. He had a legitimate right to enjoy the comforts of heaven. Yet, He did not look at it as a right He should hold on to; nor did He see leaving all that was His as a sacrifice too costly to make (Phil. 2:5-11). As a result, God highly exalted Him and brought salvation to a broken world.
Has the world convinced you that there are certain rights that you must protect? Are you trying to save your life? Have you noticed that in doing so, you are actually losing the life God wants you to have?
Friday
In Matthew 16:25, the Lord said, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
I can say that it is easier for me to loose my life for Your sake in Christ today because basically, I am jobless so to speak, and I do not have any sound financial investments and savings in the bank. The truth of the matter today is that I am bankrupt, totally dependent on Your provisions that supports our existence from day to day. Maybe this is also one of the reasons why I could devote more time in Your service. Will my devotion and commitment to serve You really stand in case You decide to grant all the material things I desire?
I know that I failed miserably with regards to the opportunities and blessings that You have lavishly given me in the past. I have no excuses for that, maybe such failures on the positive side became a learning experience and a gateway for me to know You more. I have lost a life but in Your goodness and grace, I have found the value of true life in You!
You brought me to a new city where You begun in me a new life with You. What comes next is all up to You. You know very well what is in my mind and heart, my hopes, dreams, and aspirations, for You are the One who created me. You know what is best for me and my family and I live it all up to You. At present, as I patiently wait upon You, Your will and revelations, I humbly stand in obedience to Your will and purpose for this new found life that You have given me.
I shared my wife today Your words that struck me. It is not by accident that You have again emphasized this reading taken from the book "Experiencing God" to be exactly the same as that of the Gospel today.
LEGITIMATE RIGHTS
Christians are commanded to lose their lives. This means they ought to deliberately release their lives to God and His kingdom. One of the greatest hindrances to your being on mission with God will be your view of what constitutes your "legitimate rights" - that is, those things that you feel you have a right to experience and enjoy. It's not difficult to turn over to Christ those things that are not a sacrifice or that you would prefer to do without anyway. Rather, it is the things that are good and that are dear to you that may stand between you and God's will.
ANOTHER CITY
It's good to be near your grown children and grandchildren, for example, but God may want you to go to another city or continent on mission with Him. It's good to get adequate rest, but you may receive a call of distress in the middle of the night. You may assume that you have a right to certain material things, yet God may ask you to release all of your possessions to Him and His purposes (Matt. 19:21).
RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE
Jesus modeled perfectly this attitude toward life. He had a legitimate right to enjoy the comforts of heaven. Yet, He did not look at it as a right He should hold on to; nor did He see leaving all that was His as a sacrifice too costly to make (Phil. 2:5-11). As a result, God highly exalted Him and brought salvation to a broken world.
Has the world convinced you that there are certain rights that you must protect? Are you trying to save your life? Have you noticed that in doing so, you are actually losing the life God wants you to have?
AS WE SEEK TO SEE HIS FACE
In my blog "A Child of God", I wrote a topic titled "How will I See and Experience Christ's Presence?", with one paragraph that reads:
"Christ will never enforce Himself upon us. If we want to see and experience His powerful life over us, we must first seek to know Him and accept that He is the Son of God, sent to redeem the world. He deserves all the honor, glory and praise as we seek to see His face."
The last sentence was written while I was listening to the song of Don Moen. I was so inspired and deeply moved with the song for it speaks of the very topic that I was writing about, most especially the words "As We Seek to See His Face".
Today, the Good Lord confirmed my thoughts. He has once more proved that He is a "Living God", who manifests His presence in the hearts of those who call upon Him in truth.
In Psalms 24:6, scripture says, "Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God".
During my time of writing, the Spirit of the Lord was upon me! It was He who wrote these words, intended for those who hunger and thirst for His powerful presence in their lives.
Not only did God confirmed my thoughts but He also revealed the promise and rewards that goes behind such powerful words. . .
"Christ will never enforce Himself upon us. If we want to see and experience His powerful life over us, we must first seek to know Him and accept that He is the Son of God, sent to redeem the world. He deserves all the honor, glory and praise as we seek to see His face."
The last sentence was written while I was listening to the song of Don Moen. I was so inspired and deeply moved with the song for it speaks of the very topic that I was writing about, most especially the words "As We Seek to See His Face".
Today, the Good Lord confirmed my thoughts. He has once more proved that He is a "Living God", who manifests His presence in the hearts of those who call upon Him in truth.
In Psalms 24:6, scripture says, "Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God".
During my time of writing, the Spirit of the Lord was upon me! It was He who wrote these words, intended for those who hunger and thirst for His powerful presence in their lives.
Not only did God confirmed my thoughts but He also revealed the promise and rewards that goes behind such powerful words. . .
"He who seeks the Face of God
will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from the God
of his salvation."
Work and Business
DREAM
I was in my office glancing at my table full of business documents that were neatly sorted out as they were placed side by side with each other. On top of every document is a statement of account for each client. All these documents are currently businesses under negotiation.
I said to myself, "Wow! This is the very setting I have worked with in the past. To have quite a number of businesses to work with, that can truly make my day productive".
Then I felt some tiredness and begun to fall sleepy. I was about to leave the office to take some rest in the bedroom when the fax machine again begun to receive new business transactions. So I sat near the fax machine and started to read the documents being printed out but I could not really concentrate because I was really sleepy. I was also talking with the client over the phone who sent the documents but could not understand him. From time to time, I could feel that I am snapping out and falling asleep while we were talking.
After finishing my conversation with the client, I stood up and here comes my nephew who noticed my condition. He thought that I was sick and told me not to over do myself for it might again affect my health condition.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
I just had a clear dream last night and I believed that a message has been sent through. I may not yet fully understand the true intent behind its story but one thing is certain, it speaks of the condition of my heart. In my deepest thoughts, there are still matters of concerns regarding things that I aspire for. In this case, it is very clear that I really do miss those days when my work requires that I look into several business transactions that needs to be done and consumated.
My heart still burns of such desires deeply hidden within me as I go about on the road with you. The only difference is that in the past, I was not fully aware that you are with me on such journey. I was in no position to appreciate all the things that you have done for me because I have lived outside of your Word.
Now that your Word has come alive in me and became the very object of my existence, may I humbly ask that said dream be once more placed into reality and may it serve as a window of what is to come. All good things come from you my Lord and I believe that you will never settle for what is not best for me.
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