The Master Weaver

The other day as I conducted my annual re-organization of my personal space, also known as the garage. The place were all things eventually end up in small piles, the likes of gently worn clothing, books and magazines, tools both mechanical and for use in the garden, not to mention the graveyard for all the expired electrical devices big and small and a special corner for an accumulation of HHM aka Hazardous Materials, old cans of half empty paint and thinners and satins.

Now the TV program Hoarders, would probably have me make the tough decision of parting with most if not all my stuff, and whatever was left would end up in multi colored totes all organized on biodegradable re-usable shelves, available at the local big box home improvement center, the orange one not the blue one, wink!

The time I spend with my stuff is like an adventure, as I discover things not seen for years, as if it were the first time! Upon the moving, shifting and re-locating I happened upon a very small piece of paper that had been folded into very small UN-noticeable, worthy of being swept up and thrown out sheet of carefully formated words.

The words were complied into a small paragraph entitled;

The Plan of the Master Weaver

and it read;

Our lives are but fine weavings that God and we prepare.

Each life becomes a fabric, planned and fashioned in His care.

We may not always see just how the weaving intertwines,

but we must trust the Master's hand and follow His design.

For He can view the pattern upon the upper side,

while we must look from underneath and trust in Him to guide.

Sometimes a strand of sorrow is added to His plan,

and though it's difficult for us we still must understand,

that it's He who fills the shuttle, it's He who knows what's best.

So we must weave in patience and leave to Him the rest.

Not till the loom is silent, and the shuttle cease to fly,

shall God unroll the canvass and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed in the weavers skillful hand,

as the the threads of golden silver in the pattern He has planned.

-author unknown

Needless to say, as I read this beautiful rendition of one who truly understood our position and place in this world, the following scripture came to mind;

Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through,

as if something strange were happening to you.

Instead, be very glad,

because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering,

and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of

sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:12-13

It is amazing how a tedious, mundane task of cleaning my garage could turn into an opportunity for God by way of the Holy Ghost ( I so Prefer Ghost over Spirit ) to minister to my heart! Lord, Thank You for daily revealing yourself to me!

I look forward in eager anticipation for the day Your Glory is Displayed to all the world!

Beloved Be Blessed!

Balancing Divine and Human Factors.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen

Ephesians 3:20-21

FMO Monday Night Nehemiah Study continues, as we begin our second of twelve lessons, I am just blown away at all the usable applications in Nehemiah for our personal, business and spiritual lives.

My Pastor Teacher has always taught that you cannot take worldly business leadership principals and incorporate them into the church, or our development as christian men and women. However, it is just the opposite of those little golden nuggets found in the living and inspired word of GOD.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,

for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

that the man/woman of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

So Jeff, what's your point? I honestly don't believe I have made one yet, but if you hang with me I will attempt to?

• OBSERVATION: What does it say?
• INTERPRETATION: What does it mean?
• APPLICATION: How does it apply to me?

The above three bullet point are taken from the Inductive Bible Study Method and for all intent and purpose it has assisted me in better understanding what God has and wants from/for me.

Now to Him (GOD) who is able to do

exceedingly abundantly (unfathomable Feats)

above all (no boundaries)

that we ask or think!

Man, how this principle / promise is played out in the book of Nehemiah. As a result of Nehemiah's obedience and unwavering faith in his God, Nehemiah is given favor and position to accomplish extraordinary task and feats. Thus reading Ephesians 3 is brought to life vividly through the course of Nehemiah's application of God's Sovereignty.

That's great for him! But what about me? Nehemiah gives us an outline of how to be in accordance to God's will;

• Pray and fast
• Repent
• Read the Word
• Await Confirmation
• Proceed forward in faith and boldness

Considering that in the book prior Ezra, the same king had issued a decree to stop any building of the walls that surrounded Jerusalem, now Nehemiah was in faith going to travel down a road that had previously been blocked off. There were a lot of underlying factors that made this request very dangerous and life threatening.

We find that Nehemiah had taken roughly four months of praying, fasting and seeking the Lord for direction, in addition Nehemiah did his homework with regards to the task at hand. This usable information in the hands of the Power that lies within us is in a sense our human responsibility within the supernatural realm. Ephesians 3:21,

"according to the power that works in us"!

APPLICATION:

If truly I desire God's will for my life and ministry, I must do my part in ensuring that I have Prayed, Read, and taken the time to be in submission to those Godly authorities that surround me, that provide wisdom and knowledge for my absorption for later use by the supernatural indwelling POWER of the Holy Spirit!

Be Used and Be Blessed!

"For I was the king's cupbearer".

08-02-2010, tonight at FMO Monday Nights, (For Men Only) a Bible study held every Monday, 7pm at Calvary Chapel Montebello ( have to plug it ) let's try this again, tonight we began a 12 week study on the Book of Nehemiah, it follows Ezra in the Old Testament.

Well, as I pre read the 1st chapter I found that the author re-iterates of Nehemiah "For I was the king's cupbearer".

Many scholars believe that Ezra was the author of Nehemiah, one of the arguments was that Ezra was a Priest and Nehemiah way a layman, so another words he was just a employee in service to a large corporation or the King Artaxerxes.

In an effort to better understand Nehemiah, and find the deep truths that God had for me as well some practical application, I envisioned Nehemiah as myself bound by my service to my employer for the financing of my basic needs, more enslaved because as many Americans, I am just one paycheck away from being homeless, not Hope less. This all takes place in Babylon which very much represents the World and how as Christians we daily go out into the world and work for the King. Nehemiah even in the mist of his stint in captivity managed to maintain his obedience to the commandments of the Lord. This is an encouragement to me as a cupbearer of sorts, that I to can still be diligent to my calling in spite of my geographical location and daily bondage, if you will in Babylon/the greater San Gabriel Valley.

And as we see news of the distress and reproach of the people of Jerusalem, Nehemiah's heart is broken for the condition of Gods people and the temple. But, I have to be to work by 8am that means I have to get to bed early, because I need my beauty sleep, besides what can I do?

Ones rationalization of this scenario is often based on their understanding of who God is in their own lives and social economical status. I must work to live, but I am not defined by my work but more my willingness to submit to power and influence of God by way of the Holy Spirit. Nehemiah is a perfect example for us as laymen, and the ability we all have to be used of God in daily service, often times stretched but not broken, weary but not wiped out! May God grant us the ability to see beyond our needs, may HE break my heart for what breaks HIS.

Nehemiah also gives us an example on the importance of prayer in the life of a believer, any prompting of God should always be followed by prayer to God for direction and guidance. So on that note I would ask you to pray for the lay-men of Montebello that we might be men of Honor, willing to lay-down our lives in service to the King of Kings! Be Blessed!