Mountaintops and valleys of life II

This is the second part of excerpts from my message at Women of encouragement meeting on May 19

Teenage time was mostly a valley experience for me. However, I started to hold on to God, and to seek Him diligently. It was not easy right away, but God sustained me. I got some support from several older Christians. Let me share with you from David Sorensen: “Many heroes in the Bible had to go through really deep trials. David wandered though the desert, running for his life, because a leader tried to kill him, out of jealousy. David developed a deep intimacy with the Lord that made him a true warrior in the spirit and an amazing overcomer. In his weakness and despair he learned to hide in the shelter of the Lord, find rest and strength in HIM, and worship the King of glory with all his might. But he wept at times, he couldn't sleep at times, he was desperate at times, he yelled at God at times, he wanted to die at times... But he kept going back into the presence of the Lord, where he was raised up as a man and a king after God's own heart. Joseph had received amazing promises of becoming a national leader who would bring provision to God's people. But he was also falsely accused, and was thrown in prison. He lived in this devastating situation for years, but remained faithful to the Lord, and learned to stay in intimacy with God. He was filled with the Spirit of wisdom, in the prison and through this severe testing and trial, God transformed him, so he was able to carry the great mantle of anointing and authority God had planned for him. Many of the true men and women of God went through the fire, through the deep waters and often despaired. If your feel this way, don't lose hope. Surrender to Him, know His presence and worship Him, through all things.”

I have shared with you some things from my previous experiences, but surely, ups and downs in life continue. I recently had annoying struggles with working visa documentation. Are you going through difficulties right now? “It may appear that you are hanging on that mountaintop by fingernails, but God will blow you over it! Solutions are on the way, and they may be very near you. God will surprise you, and it will be better than you think!” it was recently said to me by a sister in faith in prayer, and I want to share the same with you if you feel low right now. Relax and let Him carry you through. The best thing we can do in challenges or in the valley is to continue to seek God. If possible, even better if we can start or continue to serve God in a way and place where God is leading us and has gifted us. Under certain severe conditions, it may not always be possible to continue to minister, but we need to keep seeking God. I have done it in my valleys, and He has carried me through. And when we are on the mountaintop, we need not to forget to seek Him. At times, we can have amazing encounters with God and revelations from Him, and we can go on in that burst for some time, and ride that wave, but at certain point, that will lose momentum and we need again to seek Him more deeply to be able to experience and share something new. When we succeed, we need to remember not to get proud, but contribute our talents, success and blessings to God.
We are on a holy journey in this life. Let me share from Max Lucado : “Jesus is urging us to look more to the peak than on the trail. As long as our eyes are on majesty, there is bounce in our step. But let our eyes focus on the dirt beneath, and we will grumble about every rock we have to cross.” And in Colosians. 3,2, the Message Bible, it says: “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to the things going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.” 

Mountaintops and valleys of life I

This is the first part of my message at Women of encouragement meeting on May 19

In life, at times we have sudden and short experiences of ups and downs. I had one last summer at a conference in Italy. My presentation went really well, and I felt on the top of the world. But just after that, my mom informed that my father has thickening in his lungs, which could be a tumor. I felt like dropping down from mountaintop into valley in one instant. Luckily, thank God, later on it turned out to be nothing serious.

There can be also longer periods of mountaintop or valley experiences in our lives. One meaning of mountaintop is associated with happiness, success, and achievement. I would say my childhood mostly felt like mountaintop experience. I remember sun, warmth, nice dresses, feeling pretty and being liked, and being successful at school and at various competitions. Looking back, I think that it was a time when I was discovering talents God has placed in me, I felt special and also felt favor smiling on me. I remember one teacher letting me go home earlier and most other kids staying behind to continue to study for instance. Perhaps that was similar to what Joseph in the Bible experienced – he was a favorite son and had special clothes of many colors. But with that, may come danger of pride or feeling better than others. In our study of womens group by Max Lucado “Experiencing the heart of Jesus”, there was a reminder: “Don’t try to climb the Mount of Messiah, Mount of Applause, and Mount of Self-sufficiency. Quite many have climbed those, only to shout : Mine is the glory!”  - and then lose balance and fall. Kingdom, power and glory is Thine, o God, not mine. A trio of peaks mantled by the clouds. Admire them, applaud them, but don’t climb them.” When we are on maintaintop, we need to remember not to get proud and give glory to God. We need to see our gifts and blessings in the context of building God’s kingdom. And in God’s kingdom, we do not compete, but we build up one another.

In the Bible, mountaintop also refers to being close to God: "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation who seek Him, who seek Your face, God of Jacob." (Psalm 24, 3-6) One this kind of mountaintop experience of being close to God was my exchange study semester in Sweden. I was in a good church, a different kind than I had experienced before. I was touched by the Holy Spirit, felt my spiritual room becoming larger, and I gained more freedom. I took in all new impressions and friendships. God was very close, very near. I got to experience a new and fresh taste of Him. In my early youth, I have been seeking God by climbing on trees and grain containers in countryside, and later, walking on cliffs in Sweden and Finland. It appears as if getting higher physically helps us to get closer to God. But at times, we can take a journey to the mountaintop just in our spirit. Max Lucado puts it this way: “I leave behind the budget, bills, and deadlines and walk the narrow trail up the mountain with Jesus. You’ve been there. You have escaped the sandy foundations of the valley and ascended his grand outcropping of granite. You’ve turned your back on the noise and sought His voice. You’ve stepped away from the masses and followed the Master as He lead you up the winding path to the summit. His summit. Clean air. Clear view. Crisp breeze. The roar of marketplace is down there, and the perspective of the peak is up here. Gently, your guide invited you to sit on the rock above the tree line and look out with Him at the ancient peaks that will never erode. “What is necessary is still what is sure”, He confides, “just remember, “you’ll go nowhere tomorrow that I haven’t already been. Truth will still triumph. Death will still die. The victory is yours And delight is one decision away – seize it.” The sacred summit. A place of permanence in a world of transition.”

Leading women into experiencing Jesus

 

Last December we finished up studying “Breaking Free” by Beth Moore in our women’s group. As I was reflecting on that while being by myself, with the eyes of my spirit I saw our women’s ministry as resting on some pillars, which are not many. They looked like pillars that support structures in Roman or Greek architecture, and I saw that I am one of these pillars. That affected me in a way that I started to take more active attitude and felt authorized by God in doing so. When it was asked who want to lead one of the groups in next term, I approached our leader and said that I would. I was not sure how leading will work out with having own toddler around for meetings, but I felt I need to step up at this point. Despite some hesitation that I felt, there was swelling in my Spirit to contribute certain things that I felt were lacking. I had not been leaning a group on consistent basis since my undergraduate student times. I felt Jesus has done in me a lot in the meantime, and I can now do it in a different quality already. It was my desire to bring the presence of Jesus and spiritual breakthroughs that Jesus wants to see in our women. Out of available materials, I was lead to select “Experiencing the heart of Jesus” by Max Lucado. I felt that this study was suitable for our women in this season and that I can share personally on the subjects touched upon in the study. I have been seriously searching Jesus for years and I had also good supplementary materials from various sources to share from my notebooks.

The days before starting a group were somewhat a struggle, as I wondered how it all will work out. But the first meeting went really well, and we were eight persons in total at first. Later, six of those were the ones attending regularly. We had a nice mix of nationalities – Latvia, UK, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, and USA, and China. While doing the study, ladies found relevant parts of material speaking to them and addressing their needs. When appropriate, I tried to identify some deeper issues or strongholds that the participants have, and then we would spend more time in praying for a particular person in the group under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and saw how that touched them and made difference. Burdens were lifted and more freedom and joy came. I was often feeling pretty spent after these meetings, but I knew that God is at work. About midterm into our study, one of the participants reported wonderful visitation of the Lord in the dream. It ministered heavenly scent to us, joy in Him, as well as need to share that with other women. I saw clearly that this lady is starting to connect with Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a new and living way. Also another lady in our group shared a vision that was personally meaningful to her and was very moving to hear. I plan to write a separate blog post about these special encounters a bit later. At times I struggled to keep it together when all of us were present and there were five toddlers around, but overall there was grace to manage these meetings in a meaningful way. Over time, I also needed to learn how to balance vigilance with patience – to accept that some changes do not occur right away and that God may have own timing in bringing breakthroughs to women. We powered through the ten lessons of the study, each consisting of material for 5 days at a pretty high speed and intensity during the spring term of 2017.
Towards the end of our study, as I reviewed one of my notebooks, I found prophesy I had written down after prayer conference with Michael Kimuli in Turku, Finland, which happened before my moving to China. I had somehow forgotten it, but after reading it written out, I got further assurance that I am on the right track. It said: “The Lord is sending you to China for a ministry. I see many disciples following you. You will be like Ruth, and you will be satisfied.” I could see how I have stepped into fulfillment of this prophesy lately, and I do feel satisfaction. We are planning to continue with “To live is Christ” by Beth Moore in the autumn term. 

Caring for others

This is the final part of my address at ladies’ retreat in Dongshan on April 28

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21, 15-17)

Here we see a dialogue between Jesus and Peter, when He asks if Peter loves Him more than others. First thing that is obvious from this is that not everyone loves Jesus the same; some love Him more than others. There are many ways to show love to Jesus. I once heard a preacher is buying a rose for Jesus and then worships Him. I like to burn incense as sweet fragrance for Jesus when I pray. But one important way to show love for Jesus is taking care of other believers. Because we are here and take active part in things of God, there is a big chance we are the ones who love Him more than others. But with that, there comes responsibility given by Jesus: “Feed my lambs. Take care of My sheep. Feed my sheep.”

Let’s hear the spirit blessings by Arthur Bruk and Sylvia Gunther again: “Spirit, your Father has a purpose for you. I bless you with being everything God designed you to be. As you fulfill your purpose, you will benefit, others will benefit, and the world will be blessed. I bless you with knowing the things your Father has called you to know and doing the things He has called you to do. I bless you with being able to carry out God’s work with honor, peace and joy. I bless you with not wasting time or effort doing things God has not called you to do. I celebrate the beauty God has nurtured in you. I bless you in the name of Creator God. Spirit, your culture is yearning and crying out for something more than religion or churchliness – the legitimate powerful presence of God. I bless you with desperate hunger and thirst for bringing the manifest glory of God to your community. I bless you with vision and anointing to see what is necessary to prepare the way. I bless you with seeing outside your religious traditions. I bless you with ability to sing the song of gospel in a different key, doing no harm to the Word or message that must remain unchanged. I bless you in the name of the glory of Israel.”

Cared for by Jesus

This is the third part of my address at ladies’retreat in Dongshan on April 28.

"Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead." (John 21, 12-14)

In this part of passage, we see that Jesus cared for his disciples in practical and tangible way by cooking their breakfast. It must have been wonderful to enjoy fish roasted on fire after long night out fishing. Jesus cares for each one of us personally as well. We need to be cared for by Jesus if we are to serve others effectively. I used to think that Jesus fulfills mainly my spiritual needs, and emotional needs are fulfilled by other people. Over the years, however, I have increasingly come to rely on Him to fulfill my emotional needs also. Let me give you an example. Once I took great effort to match my outfit for a special occasion, but nobody complimented or took a picture. I am not saying we should get compliments every time. I have myself not always been mindful to compliment others. However, it was a special need in my heart that night, which I was aware of and recognized. I turned to Jesus with this need and waited to hear His words of appreciation in my heart. And they came, some from the Song of Songs, and something extra, which was personal and connecting to my need. At times, a day or two passes without word of appreciation, compliment, or a warm hug, but I hear those words I need to hear from Jesus, I see Him embracing and encouraging me when people around me fail to do so. We need this kind of strong bond with Jesus to be stable and consistent in our walk and not to run dry.

Let me read again now from “Spirit blessings” by Arthur Bruk and Sylvia Gunther: “Spirit, I bless you with a deep heart identity as God’s very own child, securely loved in His family, calling Him “Abba, dear Father.” I bless you with a settled assurance that He has a future and a hope for you for your best interests and His ultimate glory. I bless you with a deep knowledge that your Abba knows what you need and has all the resources of the universe to meet your needs. I bless you with confidence that you lack nothing you need in any way. I bless you with certainty that you are an heir with your brother Jesus to all your Father’s treasures. I bless you in the name of the Spirit of sonship. Spirit, I bless you with experiencing your Father’s faithfulness, His faithful love toward you, for your emotions to be aware, to know, to savor, to feel, to relish the love your Father expresses toward you. I bless you with experiencing it so often that you can never doubt your Father’s love. I bless you with no anxiety in the present, because God has spoken so richly in the past. I bless you with knowing that He will speak again at the right time and at the right place. I bless you with seeing so much of His protection that you will trust Him implicitly. I bless you in the name of your Eternal Dwelling Place.”

Supernatural opportunities and endurance II

This is the second part of my address at ladies’ retreat in Dongshan on April 28

Let us continue to read from the gospel of John: “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.” (John 21, 7-11)　

Interestingly, after they had a big catch, now there was another problem - the net was stretched almost to the point of breaking. Together with a supernatural catch, however, came a supernatural endurance of the net for pulling fish out. We may at times be stretched, too, when ministry opportunities widen and more people come. Also, this verse shows that it is not enough to catch the fish, we need to pull them out, otherwise we may lose them and they start to swim away again. Likewise, it is not enough that people accept Jesus as their Savior, we need to disciple them and pull them out to safety, and that can be stretching. I have been blessed with seven women and five toddlers in my group, but at times we all were present, it was difficult to keep it all together. Sometimes I came despite being tired or my little one not being totally well. Some of us were feeling stretched before our big Christmas and Easter events. But this verse encourages us that God can supernaturally sustain us so we are able to handle the opportunities that open up for us. We may feel torn or breaking for many other reasons such as challenges in the family or personal issues. I recently felt overwhelmed, but was strengthened by the reminder that spirit part in us needs to rule the soul. I felt chaotic and irritated, but experienced peace and alignment once I called forth my spirit to take control of my being.

Let us hear again the words from the “Spirit blessings” by Arthur Bruk and Sylvia Gunther: “Spirit, as much as you are loved, you have experienced pain. You are part of a great battle against the enemy of Most High God. I bless you with the ability to have joy that transcends pain. I bless you with a clear picture of what is before you, the thing that God has called you to do, so you can endure the pain to get there. The enemy will magnify the pain and cause you to focus on it, but I bless you with being aware of the joy set before you. I bless you with sufficient understanding of that joy so you will not count the cost but will pay the price. I bless you in the name of Jesus, who is the prize. Spirit, I bless you with waking up every morning knowing that the living God is sustaining, strengthening, and renewing you for the opportunities and problems He sets before you today. I bless you with the assurance of inner quiet, security, and strength, not only for each day, but for as long as God chooses your lifetime to be. I bless you with meeting Him daily spirit to Spirit. I bless you with doing nothing by mere human effort. I bless you with being energized with the life of eternity upon all that you are and think and do. I bless you in the name of the Spirit of life. You are the apple of the eye of the Ancient of days. He cares for you. He is grooming you for triumph, not just survival.”