A book review that touches the heart

It’s not Business its personal- by Bob Sorge.

A review by Renee Pearce

It’s not Business its Personal is convicting and thought provoking as to the way we live our lives in community and relationships with others. Knowing how Jesus sees us his bride and his affections for her gives me deep joy in my heart that there is someone out there that does and will stand on my behalf, will rescue me, by keeping me accountable and disciplining me to seek the bridegroom and not take my attention and affection from him.

As young girls we longed for our prince charming to come sweep us away so that we will live happily ever after because with him there will be no fears or things to come between us, that will make or stop us from knowing the affections of our prince. Jesus is a Jealous bridegroom and we are his bride but we are also; when we are leaders in ministry; the friend of the bridegroom. Picture a wedding the groom is at the front of the church the best man or friend of the bridegroom is there right beside him. He is there to encourage and support the groom to make him look good. The bride walks down the aisle and the grooms attention is focused solely on the bride, if the friend of the bride tries to get the attention of the bridegroom or even the bride or spoil his or her moment, don’t you think that the bridegroom will get really annoyed. We as the bridegroom’s friend are not meant to take the affection or attention of the bride off the bridegroom otherwise that would mean that you are competition and not a friend. So we need to point people to Jesus not ourselves, do not take what is his. He is the King of all Kings he is the ruler of all do you not think that he will bring justice against you. So when you’re in ministry you need to be aware, of whose affections you’re looking to, to validate who you are. God the father has chosen us mere humans to be the bride of Christ the marriage arrangements have already been made, Christ paid the bride price and we are just waiting for the groom to come back for the bride.

If we are the bride then why are we the bridegroom’s friend too, isn’t that the Holy Spirits job? Thoughts about how the Holy Spirit is a spirit, and likes to use humans to display and speak through makes me come to the conclusion that we are the friend too, but then isn’t this about one bride and one groom? How does the bride; being a number of people be one, communicate or know who the groom is?

This book convicts and speaks to the heart of why we do things. Are we in ministry to get a name for ourselves? What is our hearts response to others being blessed when we are still on the same track going around the mountain? If we are the vessels God uses to show his glory and bring more people into the Kingdom then we have such an important job to look to the groom for his affections and attention, rather than other people. But you might ask what if the bride also shows you affection or attention? Humility is the way to go thank them but point them to Jesus, if we can’t do this then why are we in ministry? It’s a hard question to ask but we need to get to the root of it; is our heart in the right place or are we letting our flesh rule us, believing that only you matter. It’s not about you it’s about God!! He made us to be an image bearer of himself, to love on and display himself through. In return we get to have the God of all creation, the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lord’s affection and attention and live with him forever. This is only a temporary time on earth in which we get to show him off to others, telling others of his great affection for us. So what will you do now to show others your groom?

The father asks us to do different things give up or let go of people or titles or wealth that we think is our own. Abraham gave up his son, Job his wealth and family, Esther her reputation and life, Mary her inheritance and stability for living, and all for what? God tests us to see what is really in our hearts, for us to be able to see our true nature to see who he sees us as. Character building or the unveiling of our true selves can and will be tested time and again to see the purity and cleanness of our hearts. God himself takes our relationship personally making commitments and covenants with us when we mere humans are not able to keep them, and he knows that. What a generous and loving God he is. So is your relationship personal or are you just in it for the attention or the money?  Choose wisely for it will be revealed at the end of time who and what you chose, whether by naivety or knowing the truth will it set you free?  Are you blowing your own trumpet or the one who calls you friend?

Many questions have risen after reading this book and this is good for it makes me think and ask questions to Holy Spirit the one who lives in me and knows my heart. He will speak the truth and nothing but the truth.

Is God really enough for me?

Is God really enough for me, I look at my circumstances I look at my friends they all have things that seem like they are happy because of the things that they have, an iPhone, the latest gadget, money to spend on food, on clothes and enjoyment needs. But really do these things really satisfy? Does it give our hearts a deep revelation that we are loved and needed or are we filling a hole? Food, love, money, an encouraging word, a warm hug from a friend are small fillers of joy. But isn't there a lasting joy something that satisfies to the core of who I am?

"You make known to me the paths of life; in your presence there is fullness of Joy, at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore."   Psalm 16:11

So how does this happen, where do I find this knowledge, this fullness of Joy? It is in your presence. What is your presence? 'The state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing. the area that is closet to someone. someone or something that is seen or noticed in a particular place.' How are we meant to know God is present? He shows himself by moving our hearts or speaking to us.

There is another gem that we get also when we are in his presence we get pleasures forevermore. Bonus!!

Where are you finding pleasures? In friends, in gadgets, in relationships, in travelling. I'm not saying that these are wrong not in the least God created them for us, but we need to come back to the 'One thing I desire' that David wrote about in Psalms 27:4. To have an audience of one approach to get in the secret place and spend time with God. To find pleasures and joy in his nearness. We want to be fascinated and captivated by his beauty, by WHO HE IS. Searching his heart to find our likenesses. To really go deep in the fullness of him who is limitless, yet consistent in all his characteristics not pushing aside one to pick up another like we mere humans do.

Have you ever been in a state of mind or circumstance where everything that could go wrong did and you are fighting the attacks, you are being persistent and crying out for God to break in? Listen to these calming words from Asaph in Psalms 73:23-27 I know it made me stop and realign my thoughts:

"Nevertheless, I am continually with you, you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Listen to what Portion means:

 inheritance, share, allotment, award

For it is better to have God for OUR ALL than to HAVE ALL and be without God.

Listen to those statements YOU hold my right hand, YOU will receive me to glory. there is power on those words and God speaks them to us to encourage us to seek him alone.

So when your feeling down never forget God is right beside you he has already walked the road ahead of you. He formed you and created you HE KNOWS YOU BY NAME!

A Poem about 'The End Times Church'

If you are wanting to hear in the language of poetry what I've been learning about, this is a God inspired poem from the overflow of my heart. I pray you will enjoy it and be challenged to seek the throne room for your own encounters with the Bridegroom King.

                                                  The End Times Church

The time has come the day has dawned when new things will arise.
Awakening a sleeping people from their rest,
to put on their armour and pick up their swords. 
Preparing for a war that is yet to come.
But this is not a physical war against flesh and blood of man, 
but that of the Spirit, fighting things yet to be seen with human eyes.

But the spirit sees and the spirit knows what to do and how to be strong. 
So we equip ourselves with spiritual armour making time 
to shine it and make it strong to protect the important parts.
The preparation time has come this is done through prayer, 
fasting and spending time in the secret place. 
Making sure you have your oil and have made yourself
known to God, as he has done for you.

The time has come the day is near, Jesus our saviour will return
in the sky with clouds around him and fire in his eyes.
His sword that is coming out of his mouth; his name on his thigh.
 He is coming back in power, he is coming back to fight, 
to conquer once and for all the evil of this world.

The nations will wage war against God Almighty, throwing their fists around.
 Destruction will come for those who do not fear the Lord of Hosts. 
The one who will come on a white horse; 
leading the Hosts of Heaven in an up roar against the earth. 

 Demons will scatter the light of the saints will stand, 
calling and beckoning the scattered people to come to safety in the light of salvation. 
Oh the darkness how it emanates across the world the sun has gone, 
the moon does not shine, only faint light of the saints, 
will be seen praying 24/7 for the wickedness to stop
 and for the return of the King.

Fear the Lord for he is bring justice to the earth. 
Come be overwhelmed by his father’s heart towards you.
 Be saturated by the immensity of his love His faithfulness to his bride is immaculate.
 Oh how the woman hungers and the man thirsts for the banquet table, the feast of the Lord.

The heart beats a 1000 times over, beating to the drum of heaven. 
Supernatural things happen the church itself will see. 
The bridegroom is ready, the shout goes forth.

Valiant man take up your sword, valiant men put on your armour.
Pick up the spears to throw, the darts of the Lord will not be shattered.
The arrowhead will not diminish or break.
Faithful ones raise up your voices, righteous ones be glad.
Sing of the joy in your heart, sing, song loudly of the goodness of the Lord.
His presence is near it will come with the Kingdom of Heaven.
The kingdom of the King of Kings, royal brothers declare the faithfulness’s of the Lord,
 royal ones take your place. Set your crown upon your head,
 be robed in your garments. Be adorned in your jewels 
the ring has been placed, the royal one has come.

The valour of men is tiny compared with the valour God places in man. 
Oh the desires of the father’s heart towards his children, 
his desire oh how he longs to be with them, to hold them to rock their fears away.

With fire in his eyes the passion of the King for his Queen, His Bride. 
Don’t you see wicked people the Lord he is one and only God.
 The one who satisfies your deepest longings, your deepest  desires.
 For he knows you and created you. Unique to shine his Glory in different ways.
 Do not look to the right or to the left but to the one your heart will desire.

The one thing you are destined for comes,
come to salvation come to love with the son of God, 
the son that laid down his life. 
Laid down his own plans and was lead by the voice of the Lord. 
Oh listen people, listen to the still small voice. 
For he is calling, calling his people to come
 to repentance to come back to their first love.

The Lord is Almighty worship and give him praise. 
Oh people of this world. 
Have you not seen there is a rising generation, 
ones that will be surrounded by prayer, by thanksgiving to the Lord. 
They will not stand for your lack of interest against the injustice and crime. 
They will not be quiet in your ears, not until the Lord’s name is a praise on the lips
 of the nation he calls his own.

Pray, pray oh saints how their prayers are poured out on the earth 
daily will you listen oh God. Send forth your mighty angels to do the cries of the saints.
 Pour out the bowls, the spirit has come, he’s stirring the bride,
 awakening to get ready for the bridegroom.

Put on the wedding dress, pure white in his sight. 
Pearls and gems gleaming and draping down the aisle magnificent in beauty. 
Robed in splendor and graciously confident, of the love she has for her lover. 
Excitement spreads across her face a smile of delight adorns her appearance. 
Shining in the beauty of her King.

In the dressing room she waits for the call the announcement for her time to come.
The day has dawned when she will be joined together forever
 with her beloved in spirit and in truth.

The spirit and the bride say come.(Revelations 22:17)

The Wilderness season – The Knowing of Oneself

Jesus was lead into the Spirit to be tested and tried to see what his heart confessed. Knowing who he was he stood his ground when Satan came and tempted him with making food- the pleasures of the world, - throw yourself off a cliff- tested him about who he was as the son of God and also worship of idols or things we hold dear to ourselves that are more important than God.

Coming to Tauranga I have really been persistent in know whom God created me to be and taking this time in the presence of the Lord (internship with THOP) I am learning about who he is and what he reveals in me to others. (Growing fruit for others) What he enjoys about me and learning about one’s true self is so exciting, yet hard to live out because it is actually reality and it is actually the person God created me to be before the creation of the world. Living in a world of torture and pain of constant rejection and disappointment (demonic attack) I look to Jesus my beloved one to search him out to see our likenesses and believe that my heart is good; because he has given me a new heart one that longs for his return. My heart sees him as the only thing stable and reassuring in my life. Knowing that it’s not about talking to people or having something to share (although this is good) that it is in the presence of a person that we are pleased, feel accepted. By just being in a room gives courage and stability to others; this is what Jesus has been showing me. That he is near me, he is my protection (Psalm 18:9-16) he is my gallant prince that rescues me. A lot of tears have been shed; deep pains healed, forgiveness of oneself has been received at a heart level. And knowing that by perseverance God is leading, he is my stability, he is my guide. One of the great Revelation that I have had is that I, Renee am a daughter of God, reborn to reap a blessing of God. I am a strong warrior and a busy one that seeks out understanding to share with others. I like to help people to rise from the ashes into the beauty of the Lord that surrounds them. God is birthing in me a fire that sets others ablaze that rages and imparts encouragement, wisdom and blessing to others.

This is me, exciting aye!!

In other news we are going on outreach for the internship and are going to be staying in Lower Hutt with the Hope Centre church down there. We had a Volleyball tournament this last weekend and my team came 2^nd YAY. I’ve been getting a lot of lyrics from God’s heart and just been enjoying life up here in Sunny Tauranga.

Please keep me in prayer in regards to protection of my heart, the building up of faith for me and others. And that unity will be in the hearts of the people here in Tauranga. Also please would you consider praying and asking God for a word for me as to what he wants me to do next after this internship? (Please email me if you do get a word from God, or even if you are encouraged by this update.)

God bless

In HIS timing, and for His Pleasure

Walking by faith through the journey of emotions

Emotions are an ever present feeling that we have day to day hour by hour, reactions all make us human. This concept freaks me out because from emotions there are sad or upsetting ones also. Dealing with issues and facing fears is something we need to do for breakthrough in our lives. Jesus calls us overcomers through him because he himself overcomes the grave; unimaginable right but it’s a fact. And fact shows truth.

God has really been dealing with my inefficiency to make myself accept the fact that I am good enough. I don’t feel good, my actions aren’t always good my heart is somewhat darkened by the flesh and the evilness of my nature. But I must believe what God says about me because that is the truth, its reliable and it will never change. God says that I am good that he delights in me that he cherishes me and holds me close. He knows me intimately and calls me his daughter although my mind doesn’t fully agree with this I have a longing in my heart that I wobe true.  

Studying the Sermon on the Mount this week in lectures has really pulled my heart strings to want more yet know that it’s not me that can do it but God in me. (Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Matt 5:3). Longing also for justice to take place around the world, longing for wrong to be made right, longing for sin to be executed from my being forever also is heavy on my heart. (Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled Matt 5:6). In all this I mourn because it hasn’t happened yet. Living in a generation that wants things ‘right now’ is hard, as God’s timing is perfect but it’s not my own. So fighting against the flesh and culture of today I cling for true reality for the one in which my heart longs for, for heaven where I will be with my husband, (Jesus) I will not be in torment, or pain or cry or hurt or be lovesick. I long for this every breath of my day, yet I don’t want to be selfish and want his return now. (Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Matt 5:4) Because I know that there are more to come into the kingdom, more to be lovers of God. More People to realise their potential and victory in the cross of Christ. And so I ask for patience to endure this pain; one of the teachers on the internship said ‘when are we ever going to be able to love God through weakness again? When are we ever going to be able to tell others about what Jesus did in/for us?

Last week the spirit of God broke out on an intercession set as we cried out for unbelievers, for our close ones that didn’t know God. My heart felt like it touched God’s and my cry was ‘there isn’t enough, there isn’t enough people yet?’ So my heart is burdened for the lost, for those that don’t know they are accepted into the family of God; that they are so loved that even while they were God’s enemies he loved them, thus the creation of the world happened. (Rom 5:8) Before the earth was created God knew us he thought about us and wanted us to reflect his beauty. (Psalm 139) Wanted us to receive and give love, and not love that the world knows but his love. This is unconditional, never changing, and fully free. Fully extreme that there is no measurement as to how wide, deep, long and high it is. (Eph. 3:18) It is who he is God is love, in all his expressions he is the one who it originated from, he describes it through his truth/word displays it in creation and reflects it through his children. We will have confidence when he returns because we are like God who is love and you love, love because it first loved you. And in love there is no fear it casts it out through the power of love itself. (1 John 4:16-19)

*Next goal receive the love of the Father.

Please continue to pray for me as I search the heart of the father to find our likenesses and see who I am in him. 

The Importance of having Table Meals

Society shows that many people no matter their age are looking for belonging because the home is not a safe place anymore, a church is a safe place, but a lot of the churches around the world are not leading people to the cross and to live the Kingdom Culture or standards of living. I’ve been reading a book called The Power of Covenant by Kingsley Fletcher; it talks about how important covenants are and how they affect you both good and bad. God uses them to show us his love and commitment to the relationship he wants and has with you. One important thing I’ve learnt from reading this book is that in a Covenant relationship you need to be genuine with speaking the truth and also in honesty. This is awesome because it is also one of my life goals; to be open and honest in all my relationships.

 What made the family homes not so safe anymore? Why are so many people sharing their feelings with people that are not safe or family? We all long to belong somewhere, to be known to share our hearts and not be judged if we do something silly or wrong. We want to be corrected in love not judged and laughed at. I know for myself that I look to guys to seek affirmation and approval; I am in the process of receiving this now from God and him alone. We can’t live without God because he has the manual he has the book of our lives and how to do things right in front of him waiting for us to come and ask him what to do and how to do it. Which reminds me of my DTS when we had father heart week with Frank Naea, we had to pick a name from a hat then ask God what he wanted to say to them and how he wanted us to tell them. Some people wrote songs gave gifts used analogies and just blessed our soaks off; the immensity of God’s love was radical a day I will never forget. I pray that you to would be encouraged to ask God in your relationships with people what He wants to say to them and how he wants to say it then sit back and watch God totally wreak them.

Anyway getting back to the title of my blog the table is so important, it represents a place to commune, to share to be honest and just share things with each other. This is so important to living to being able to express ourselves to be known and heard. There are something’s that we as humans need they are basic things like food, water, safety, and belonging. To live without out these things is just utter despair, people search and look for the latest thing to satisfy them yet they look all in the wrong places unless they look to Jesus they will never be totally satisfied. I’m not saying you can’t get satisfaction in friends, technology, eating or enjoying an activity but they don’t last, they never can totally satisfy the depths of your heart. It’s not an easy thing to get total satisfaction, actually it’s a daily thing getting away from the busyness and getting to the secret place to actual commune with God, to listen to him to hear his voice is overwhelming and indescribable it just feels so good.

So who are you sharing the table with, are they safe people, people that you can trust to be honest to be genuine and speak truth into your life?

What will your family life be like? Whether you have started making one or not, what Covenant promises are you going to implement to make sure your table is a safe place for your kids?

THINK ABOUT IT!!

A Day in the Life of Renee at YWAM Bethlehem

  A day in the life of Renee at YWAM Bethlehem

I feel that to get to know people, to invest in them and learn from them we need to see and hear about their daily lives as well as the struggles and victories they have. So here is a little bit of what I do here in Tauranga:

Monday morning I get up and spend some time reading the word. Then by 8:30- 9 I go to the house of prayer, meditating on the goodness of the Lord, before I go into briefing for an intercession set. (This is where we sing a few songs then sing in the spirit.  Someone then picks a topic to pray for and a scripture. Then prays the singer sings from the scripture asking God for the topic to happen.) This is based on scripture how the seraphim cry out to God singing Holy Holy, Holy, so we cry out to God asking for justice and for him to move in the place. We pray for the youth of Tauranga or NZ and a number of places and people groups.  This is done about 3 times within a 2 hour set.) Some sets we do worship with the word where we expand and go deep in the scripture as the Holy Spirit leads us to sings. After eating lunch I do any planning or work that I need done for hospitality, organising the speakers, making sure there is enough things to make a welcome card and gift pack. As the day progresses I head out to faith bible college for community night where we have teaching or a fun night of games and communing with each other.

I normally sing once or twice a week depending on the schedule and the others days that I go to the house of prayer I study the word and engage in the prayer. Every Friday night we have intercession where a lot of the community come join together to pray.  Sometimes I go to the sessions during the week when the speakers are speaking on the DTS.

This has been just one day in the life of Renee at YWAM Bethlehem.

Thank you:

Thank you so much for supporting me in prayer and continuing to seek the Lord, I pray a blessing on you and your families. I keep asking the Lord for new revelations for you so you will be able to grow deeper in love with him.

This next session of my life will be a bit more different as I will be a student again, spending about 20 or so hours in the house of prayer then also having teaching and lessons in the instrument either singing or guitar, depending on if I get in with the guitar.(Next week I will be auditioning)

Prayer Requests:

·         Please continue to pray for me that I will be able to get all the money I need to do this internship, I need about $4200 and have about $500 towards this.

·         Also keep in prayer the students that will be coming for the next school there are about 20 at the moment that have either been accepted or are in progress.

·         Please pray that God would keep growing me in his word and in the authority he has placed in me. That I may know a new depth of his heart towards me, towards his bride and have an understanding of who he is.

·         Please also pray that the stress of living as a missionary would not continue as I have been struggling a lot with this at the moment. 

Check out the video about what happens on DTS here at YWAM Bethlehem




http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Vlt_NzL3kcA