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How To Differentiate My Voice From God’s Voice

By Illustrated Theology

The real question is: How can you tell the difference between God’s voice and your own inner voice? Is there a trustworthy, biblical, and mature way to discern that? The answer is, yes, there is. And it doesn’t involve mystical tricks or feeling peace in your heart at all costs.  In this video you’re going to learn four practical and scripture-based tests to discern when God is truly speaking and when it’s just anxiety dressed up as revelation.

merlin: Again, as prior, if technology works, you may either read the script, or scroll down for the YouTube version at the bottom. Your choice. As always, your comments are appreciated, and everything posted, is first & foremost, to myself, so don’t cob an attitude as time is short and THE night is coming!

Test ONE, confirm it with the Bible.

The psalmist says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” in this passage, the author of Psalm 100:19 acknowledges that just like a lamp-lights up someone’s path in the darkness, scripture lights up our decisions and directs our daily walk. We must always remember that the Bible is the ultimate filter for discerning the voice of God. If an idea, plan, or dream, doesn’t pass the test of Scripture, it must be discarded without hesitation. God is not inconsistent, nor does He contradict what He has already clearly revealed in His word. Many Christians get confused mistaking emotion or personal desire for God’s voice.

The first Test is so simple. If it goes against the Bible, it’s not from God. He will never encourage attitudes that violate his principles.

1.) He is not going to whisper to you to take revenge on someone because “vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord.”

2.) He’s not going to authorize you to isolate yourself from the fellowship of the church, since we’re “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.

3.) He is also not going to plant the idea in your heart that you are spiritually superior, because “let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.” In short, if the idea that came to you confirms what the Bible already teaches, if it echoes the principles of Christ, if it reflects the character of Jesus, love, truth, humility, justice, then you can seriously consider that it may be God’s voice indeed.

TEST TWO, don’t trust your own heart.

Wise Solomon gave a serious warning. There is a way which seems right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death. In this verse, the King draws attention to the weakness of human discernment. He knew, maybe from experience, that trusting only in appearances or emotions, can lead to disastrous choices. In other words, what looks good to us, isn’t always God’s will. How many times have we heard someone say, “But I felt peace in my heart, so it must be from God.” The problem with that idea, is that the Bible, also states “the heart Is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? The heart can manufacture a false peace, just to legitimize what we already wanted. Desires, emotional needs, and even fears, can disguise bad choices under a spiritual façade.

That’s why we can’t put our trust solely in feeling peace in the heart, but rather in what is written in the Word. And here comes another fundamental biblical principle. When God’s will is revealed, He changes our heart. The Apostle Paul is living proof of that. He used to boast about being a Pharisee and a persecutor of the Church. But on the road to Damascus, Christ radically changed his heart. That’s why he later declared, “But what things were gained to me, those I counted lost for Christ.” That’s how God works. He aligns the human heart with his good, perfect, and acceptable will. And I know, I might have just made this test seem more complex, because on the one hand, we’re not supposed to trust our hearts, but on the other hand, we see in the Bible that when a thought comes from God, He transforms our will and makes us feel peace in our heart as well.

But here’s the key distinction; the peace that comes from God, never stands alone; it always aligns with what’s already revealed in Scripture. Think about this example for a young person marrying someone who doesn’t share the same faith. It might seem romantic, the emotions might even create some false peace in the heart, but if Scripture is clear in saying be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, then it’s not God leading that decision, because God’s Will is never going to contradict God’s word. Just like we saw in Test One, now let’s be clear this doesn’t mean that God’s will is going to lead that young person into an unhappy life or into marrying someone they’re not attracted to. On the contrary, the person God has for them will not be someone they can’t admire or feel drawn to; it’ll be someone who brings joy and confirms in the heart what the Bible already guarantees. God’s will is always good. In other words, that peace in the heart won’t just be a feeling, but rather, the true peace that’s in full harmony with the Word of God.

TEST Three: Wait for God’s timing.

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” This verse from Habakkuk 2:3 is born in the midst of a crisis. The prophet was distressed at seeing wickedness growing in Judah and even more troubled when God revealed he would use the Babylonians, a violent and cruel people to discipline Israel. His mind was filled with questions. How can a just God allow this? It’s in this context that God responds assuring him that nothing is out of His control, even if it seems delayed. God’s justice and judgment arrive at the right time. The message is clear. God’s clock never fails. He is never late. He always acts at the exact moment. The anguish that the prophet Habakkuk felt upon receiving this promise is the same anguish we often feel today because our lives are so limited. We tend to rush things but when we look at various biblical examples, we see that God’s way of acting is completely different from ours. Joseph was enslaved and imprisoned for years in Egypt. Abraham reached old age without children and Moses was called only at 80 years old. All of these examples show that unlike us, God is never in a hurry. He always acts in His time, the right time, and He still works that way today.

Keep this in mind. Impulsiveness is rarely a sign of divine direction. God doesn’t operate at the pace of human anxiety but in the perfect rhythm of His purpose. That’s why when a voice pushes you to make a decision hastily, in fear or desperation, it’s time to be suspicious. God’s voice may challenge & confront you, it may take you out of your comfort zone, but it doesn’t rush you. It doesn’t shove you into rush decisions.

On the contrary, it matures within you, confirms itself over time, withstands fleeting emotions, and doesn’t fade when the excitement wears off. That’s why many people declare decisions one day; moving to a new city, changing careers, even getting married, and regret it the next day. Why? Because they mistook inner noise for the voice of the Spirit. Emotions erupt and then dissipate, but the word of God remains, grows, and strengthens within you.

So, here’s the test. If the voice you think you heard, remains firm after weeks or months, if it survives mood swings, and trends of the moment, there’s a strong chance it’s from God because if it’s from Him, it doesn’t fade, it remains, it matures, and in the right time, it is confirmed. In short God’s voice is not a spark, it’s a flame that endures.

Test 4 seek confirmation from other believers

Proverbs 11:14 states, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Solomon presents here a practical life principle in that since we face complex decisions that will vastly change the course of a person’s story-line or bottom line, it is imperative we gather counsel from people who fear God, reflecting God’s own will, by calling us to live in His community of brotherhood, and not in isolation. This means that if you believe God told you something like changing jobs, moving to another city, or starting a business, but you have no spiritually mature Christians, no spiritual leaders, no prayerful believers around you, who are sensing the same direction or testify something similar, be careful. It might just be your inner voice disguised as revelation.

The true voice of God can be recognized by other sheep, not because everyone will immediately agree with you, but because what the Lord speaks to you will echo in the hearts of others who also have the Holy Spirit. God loves the body of Christ and uses advice from leaders, brothers and sisters in the faith, sermons, even circumstances to confirm what He’s already begun speaking in secret. In other words, if it’s from God, it doesn’t stay locked in your thoughts. He himself opens doors, confirms it through mature people, and provides clear signs that you’re not walking alone.

So, how do you tell the difference between God’s voice and your own inner voice at the end of the day? Hearing God’s voice isn’t about goosebumps, emotion, or spiritual catchphrases.

  1. It’s about testing test it with the Bible because God will never contradict Himself.
  2. Test it with your heart because it’s easily deceived and manufacturers false peace.
  3. Test it with time because what comes from God matures. It doesn’t fade.
  4. Test it within your community faith because the voice of the Lord also echoes through His people.

BOTTOM LINE:

If it passes these four filters you can be sure, it’s not just internal noise; it’s divine direction. God’s voice doesn’t confuse, rush, or manipulate. It guides, transforms, and confirms.

NEXT UP:

5 Easy Steps to Creating Your Art WITH God…. My definition of what constitutes art is boat loads wider than merely paintings, sculptures, music, photography, composition, etc. I see parenting, gardening, animal husbandry, crop farming, welding, carpentry, computer programing, pastors, nursing, physical therapy, teaching…. ALL as being outlets for our divine creativity to be on display, especially as we intersect with our brother & sisters socially, mentally, physically, spiritually in such areas as our dreams, aspirations, quirks, perceptions, foundational truths, emotions, preferences, etc., while we are on the journey of life. God’s artistry has no confines, no boundaries, nor do we in our daily expression of being His ambassadors for His Light & Love. His opportunities abound anew every morning. Praise His Name! Enter His Courts & your earthly studios with praise & thanksgiving!

Did someone say they were bored? Impossible, if you’ve encountered our risen Lord!!

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10 MYTHS CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THAT ARE NOT IN THE BIBLE

By Illustrated Theology

merlin again. Sorry folks, my day didn’t go as planned and 5 Steps to creating our art with God, will be later. This 10 Myths was in the pantry waiting for its opportunity to debut. Read or Listen to the YouTube. Your choice.

You probably heard the phrase, “it’s in the Bible,” but when you go look for it, it’s nowhere to be found. That’s because over time a lot of ideas have slipped into Christian vocabulary as if they were sacred truths, but they’re just human traditions, misinterpretations, or straight up inventions. So, get ready because in this video, we’re going to bust some of the most famous myths, that Christians believe, but that simply are not in the Bible.

Myth Number One: When you die, you become an angel. This one’s a funeral classic. Now, he’s an angel in heaven watching over us. Sounds sweet, right? But it’s not biblical. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that humans become angels after death. Angels are a totally different category of being created by God. They’re not ex-humans who got promoted for good behavior. They were created that way from the beginning. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?”

In other words, it’s a completely different mode of existence. Now, to be fair, this myth isn’t totally without any biblical connection. The confusion often comes from Matthew 22:30 where Jesus says that in the resurrection they are as the angels of God in heaven. But, pay attention. Jesus didn’t say we become angels. He said we will be like the angels in one specific way; “they neither marry nor are given in marriage.” He was talking about how human relationships will change in the afterlife, including marriage, but that doesn’t mean human identity is transformed into angelic. In fact, God’s plan for humanity is greater than for angels. Paul writes in I Corinthians 6:3, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels.” So, think about it. Would becoming an angel be a promotion? No, it would be a demotion. God has prepared something far more glorious for us, a resurrected, incorruptible body, and a high position with Christ.

Myth #2: Noah took only one pair of each animal onto the Ark.

         This one is straight out of every children books, and nursery mural; that cute little boat, giraffes on one side, elephants on the other. One couple of each animal species watching the sunset. Adorable? Yes. Biblical? Only partially! The truth is, Noah took two of every unclean animal, but 7 pairs of the clean ones. Yep, 7. It’s written clearly in Genesis 7:2, “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female and a beast that are not clean, by two, the male and his female. So why do people get this wrong? Because most only remember Genesis 6:19, “And of every living thing of all flesh two of every sort, shalt thou bring into the ark to keep them alive with thee. They shall be male and female. That verse gives a general instruction and that’s the one people quote in simplified summaries, but in the very next chapter, God gives a more specific command for clean animals and most folks just don’t notice that and why bring so many more clean animals? Because they‘d later be used for sacrifices and perhaps even for food. God was already preparing everything in advance as He always does.

Myth #3 Mary Magdalene was a prostitute

Here’s another myth that has misled people for centuries and there’s not a single verse that says this. Seriously, go look it up. Mary Magdalene was never called a prostitute in the Bible. That idea was spread by pop culture, and even by some church leaders, like Pope Gregory I, in the 6th century. What the Bible actually says, is that Jesus cast out seven demons from her which does show she had a troubled past. But that doesn’t automatically mean prostitution. The truth is Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus most faithful followers. She was there at the crucifixion when many disciples had fled, and she was the first to see Jesus resurrected. That’s a big deal, so let’s honor her story the way the Bible does without adding labels God never gave.

MYTH #4: Money is the root of all evil.

This is one of those things people are sure is in the Bible, but it’s not, and it’s not just a misinterpretation, it’s a misquote. What the Bible actually says in First Timothy 6:10, is “for the love of money, is the root of all evil. That small phrase, “for the love of,” money makes all the difference! In other words, money itself isn’t the problem. It’s the uncontrolled love of it, the obsession, the greed, the idolatry. Money is just a tool that can be used for good or evil, depending on the heart of the person who holds it. There are people with little who are extremely greedy, and people with much, who are generous, and used by God to bless others. What the Bible condemns is the craving to be rich at any cost! That spirit of covetousness that makes someone sell their soul for status, power, and comfort. Paul continues in that same verse, “which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” So, no God doesn’t hate money. He hates seeing money take his place in your heart. The problem isn’t a full wallet, it’s an empty soul.

MYTH # 5 is when something bad happened, it’s because you didn’t pray enough!

This one, sounds super spiritual but it’s actually terrible theology. It’s the idea that bad things only happen when you don’t pray enough. It basically turns God into some kind of divine customer service manager. You pray & He fixes things. You don’t pray & He sends you problems! That’s not Christianity, that’s superstition! Jesus prayed constantly and He was betrayed, arrested, beaten, and crucified. Paul was a powerful man of prayer and he was persecuted, imprisoned, stoned, and went hungry. Stephen prayed and he was stoned to death. So clearly, prayer is not a force field that blocks all suffering; it’s a connection to God in the midst of suffering. Yes, the Bible says to pray without ceasing, but it never promises prayer will shield you from all problems. In fact, Jesus said in the world you shall have tribulation, but he also said “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So, let’s drop this cruel myth that makes people feel guilty for tragedies or pain. Sometimes people did pray and the cancer still came, the accident still happened, the job was still lost. It wasn’t a lack of prayer. It was a tragedy in a fallen world.

MYTH #6: Jesus never judged anyone.

This is your classic social media verse, minus the context. More and more people love quoting “judge not that you be not judged,” as if Jesus were some kind of chill hippie guru, who only dropped good vibes and motivational quotes, but that’s wrong. Jesus did judge and he judged hard!

Let’s get to the facts. Remember the Pharisees? Jesus called them hypocrites, whitewashed tombs, children of hell, brood of Vipers. All of that is in Matthew 23 and it honestly reads like a divine exposed thread. And what about the adulterous woman in John 8? Yes, Jesus did forgive her, but he also said, “Go, and sin no more.” He called sin what it is, SIN! He didn’t minimize the weight of her actions. He offered grace and truth, and more than that, John 5:22 is crystal clear, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” In other words, Jesus is the judge, but He’s a judge, who is just, merciful, and full of grace. The problem isn’t Jesus’ judgment, the problem is human judgment; hypocritical, harsh, unloving, and trying to take God’s place. That’s why Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. So, let’s stop with this attitude of Jesus never judged anyone, as an excuse to stay in sin, and reject correction, because Jesus forgave, but He also confronted, he welcomed, but He also exhorted; He didn’t come to leave us just the way we are; He came to transform us and that includes correcting, disciplining, and yes, judging! Jesus is not some cosmic hippie giving out good vibes and ignoring sin. He is the King, the righteous one, the Lamb, and the judge.

MYTH # 7: God will never give you more than you can handle. This phrase sounds biblical, right? It even has a comforting tone, but that’s not what the Bible says. The verse usually used to back up this claim is I Corinthians 10:13, which talks about temptation and says, “But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” Notice carefully the text is about temptation, not suffering, not burdens, not tragedy. It’s not about the heavyweight of life. It’s about the ability to resist sin with God’s help. Now, when it comes to burdens, too heavy to carry, let’s look at the Bible. Moses said “I am not able to bear all this people alone.” David wrote, “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head, as a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.” Paul said, “We would not brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above strength in so much that we despaired even of life.”

So what does this mean? It means that yes, God does allow things that are beyond our strength, but precisely so we’ll stop trusting in ourselves and run to Him. God never promised that you’ll be able to handle everything on your own. What He did promise, is that he’ll be with you, when you can’t. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” So, let’s drop this motivational sounding theology disguised as a Bible verse. God doesn’t want you to be strong all the time. He wants you to depend on Him. It’s in weakness that his power is made perfect.

MYTH #8: Where two or three are gathered God is there. This one feels like a war cry for mid-week services with four people in the room, and yes, God is always present with his people but this verse has been ripped out of context so badly, it hurts. The truth in Matthew 18:20 is not about small church services or prayer meetings with low attendance. The context is something much more serious. Jesus was teaching about church discipline, what to do when someone sins and refuses to repent. First you go and speak with the person, one on one. If they won’t listen, that’s when #2 or #3 come in as witnesses to the process. So, when Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, he’s not talking about a mini prayer meeting, he’s saying, “When you come together with justice and humility to deal with serious sin in the church, I am with you. It’s like a spiritual tribunal, but with Jesus in the middle, saying, “I approve of what you’re doing, because you’re following my teaching with love and truth. In other words, this verse doesn’t mean God only shows up when there are at least 2 people present, because if you’re alone, he’s still there. Jesus said, “Lo, I’m with you always, even when you’re praying alone in a dark room, He’s present.

MYTH # 9: Satan lives and reigns in hell.

This is a classic image from movies, comic books, and even some emotional sermons. Satan on a throne of fire, laughing with a trident in hand, ruling hell like the CEO of suffering, but that’s not true. That is not biblical, it’s a medieval invention. In reality, hell is not Satan’s headquarters. It’s his final destination.  He doesn’t rule there, he’s going to be punished there. Jesus made that clear in Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” In other words, hell was prepared for him, not by him. He doesn’t want to go there and he has no authority there, so where is Satan right now? On earth! That’s right! He walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. He has access to the spiritual realm and actively influences people systems and cultures. That’s why Paul calls him the God of this world and the Prince of the Power of the Air, but the cross already sealed his fate. He’s condemned and his days are numbered. Revelation 20:10 reveals the end and the devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.

MYTH #10: The forbidden fruit was an apple.

This one even became the universal emoji for sin. Every time someone mentions Adam and Eve, the mental image appears, a juicy red apple, but where in the Bible does it say it was an apple? Short answer? Nowhere. Genesis 3:6 simply says, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat.” What fruit mystery? It could have been a fig, a pomegranate, a date, a grape. The Bible doesn’t say.

So where did the apple idea come from? Blame the Latins in the Latin Vulgate translation. The word for apple is “malum” (long “a”) whereas the Latin word for evil, is also “malum,” though with a short “a.” Somebody thought that word play was theological and boom, the apple myth was born. Apple equals sin.

NEXT UP: Illustrated Theology: How To Differentiate Between Your Voice and God’s Voice

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A Life Lived Well: Intro to “How Full Is Your Bucket?”

Positive Strategies For Work & Life, written by Tom Rath

In the early 1950s my grandfather Don Clifton was teaching psychology at the University of Nebraska when he noticed a major problem: The field of psychology was based almost entirely on the study of what is wrong with people.

Strictly merlin’s speculations: And as previously cited in the prior post Negativity Kills, Don’s review of one specific case study by Dr. Wm E Mayer of the 1000 N Korean American POW’s altered the entire focus of his career and life. And I maintain that we as His ambassadors, if we would answer His spiritual call affirmatively, between our years of 15-23 yrs of age when accompanied with His transformation & empowerment, and with the necessary discipline, encouragement & mentoring, as Gallup proved 50 years later with their boatloads of data, that His kingdom legacies would abound, perhaps not so well known here on earth, but during those reunions & impromptu meet & greets in heaven, the journey dots will finally be connected…. And our glorification with Him will be recognized & eternally enjoyed. Remember, Jesus is always invitational & it is never too late to begin, except AFTER the trumpet call!

Don began to wonder if it wouldn’t be more important to study what is right with people.

So, over the past five decades, Don and his colleagues conducted millions of interviews missing on the positive instead of the negative.

Early in his research Don discovered that our lives are shaped by our interactions with others. Whether we have a long conversation with a friend or simply place an order at a restaurant, every interaction makes a difference. The results of our encounters are rarely neutral; they are almost always positive or negative. And although we take these interactions for granted, they accumulate and profoundly affect our lives.

During the course of Don’s work in the 1990’s a new field of study emerged: Positive Psychology, which focuses on what is right with people. Today many of the world’s leading scientists study the effects of positive emotions.

In 2002, Don’s pioneering work was recognized by the American Psychological Association, which cited him as Grandfather of Positive Psychology and the Father of Strengths Psychology. That same year, Don learned that an aggressive and terminal cancer had spread throughout his body. Knowing his time was limited, he spent his final months doing what he did best and what people who knew him well, would have expected: helping others focus on the positive.

Although Don had written already written several books including the best seller, Now Discover Your Strengths, he asked me to join him in writing one last book – one based on a theory he created in the 1960s. People had been asking Don to write this book for decades as a result of the theory’s popularity. Over the past forty years, more than 5000 organizations and one million people have applied this theory. And people always passed it along to friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

Based on a simple metaphor of a “dipper” and a “bucket,” Don’s theory carried profound implications and simplified his life’s work for others. So in his final months, Don and I worked night and day to assemble the most compelling differences he had gathered over half a century of work. Although Don was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, we continued to work on this book whenever he had the energy – which was the majority of the time.

We sat in his study for hours, reviewing the research, statistics, and stories, we thought you would find compelling. As Don’s health deteriorated, I read sections to him and took notes on his feedback. He reviewed every section wanting each story and insight to resonate with you.

For my part, I was honored to be Don’s partner in creating this book. He was my mentor, teacher, role model, and friend. We were exceptionally close, and I cherished the time we had together. I was always motivated and inspired by his vision. And Don knew that I had been touched deeply by his theory throughout my life. As we will describe in Chapter Four, applying Don’s Theory of the Dipper and the Bucket energized and probably save me in my own battles with cancer.

In hindsight, I think this project also gave Don additional energy in the final stages of his fight with cancer. He had spent his life trying to make the world a better place one person at a time and he understood that completing this book would make a difference. We finished our first draft of this book just weeks before his death in September of 2003.

Over the 79 years of Don’s life, he touched millions of individuals through his books, teaching, and the global business he built. Don reached so many people as a result of his unwavering belief in helping individuals and organizations focus on what is right. (merlin: Can we do any less?)

As you read this book, we hope that you will discover the power of bucket filling in your own life.

Tom Rath

NEXT UP:

5 Steps For Creating The Art in Our Life With God

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North Korea’s “Ultimate Weapon”

Pg 21 From How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies For Work & Life. Continued from Tuesday’s post. If you’ve not read that, begin there first.

Mayer reported that the North Koreans’ objective was to “deny men the emotional support that comes from interpersonal relationships.” To do this, the captors use four primary tactics:

  1. Informing
  2. self-criticism
  3. breaking loyalty to leadership and country
  4. withholding all positive emotional support

To encourage informing, the North Koreans gave prisoners rewards such as cigarettes when they snitched on one another. But neither the offender nor the soldier reporting the violation was punished – the captors encouraged this practice for a different reason. Their intent was to break relationships and turn the men against each other. The captors understood that the soldiers could actually harm each other if they were encouraged to dip from their comrades’ buckets every day.

To promote self-criticism the captors gathered groups of 10 or 12 soldiers and employed what Mayer described as “a corruption of group psychotherapy.” In these sessions each man was required to stand up in front of the group and confess all the bad things he had done as well as all the good things he could have done but failed to do.

The most important part of this tactic was that the soldiers were not “confessing” to the North Koreans, but to their own peers. By subtly eroding the caring, trust, respect, and social acceptance among the American soldiers, the North Koreans created an environment which buckets of goodwill were constantly and ruthlessly drained.

The third major tactic that the captors employed was breaking loyalty to leadership and country. The primary way they did this was by slowly and relentlessly undermining a soldier’s allegiance to his superiors.

The consequences were ghastly. In one case, a Colonel instructed one of his men not to drink the water from a rice paddy field but because he knew the organisms in the water might kill him. The soldier looked at his Colonel and remarked, “Buddy you ain’t no colonel anymore; you’re just a lousy prisoner like me. You take care of yourself and I’ll take care of me.”  The soldier died of dysentery a few days later.

In another case, 40 men stood by as three of their extremely ill fellow soldiers were thrown out of their mud hut by a comrade and left to die in the elements. Why did their fellow soldiers do nothing to help them? Because it “wasn’t their job.” The relationships had been broken; the soldiers simply didn’t care about each other anymore.

But the 4th tactic of withholding all positive emotional support while inundating soldiers with negative emotions was perhaps bucket dipping in its purest and most malicious form. If a soldier received a support letter from home, the captors withheld it. All negative letters however – such as those telling of a relative and was going to remarry – were delivered to soldiers immediately.

The captors would even deliver overdue bills from collection agencies back home – within less than two weeks of the original postmark. The effects were devastating: the soldiers had nothing to live for and lost basic belief in themselves and their loved ones, not to mention God and country. Mayer said that the North Koreans had put the American soldiers “into a kind of emotional and psychological isolation, the likes of which we have never seen.”

Studying Positivity

Moved by this story of psychological torture and deprivation – and perhaps inspired by the hope that these soldiers had not suffered or died in vain – Don Clifton and his colleagues studied decided to study the flip side of this horrific equation. They wondered: If people can be literally destroyed by unrelenting negative reinforcement, can they be uplifted and inspired to greater degree by similar levels of positivity? In essence, they asked:

Can positivity have an even stronger impact than negativity?

Their research to answer this question inspired the Theory of the Dipper and the Bucket. The theory is based on the following principles:

  1. Everyone has an invisible bucket. We are at our best when our buckets are over flowing – and at our worst when they are empty.
  • Everyone also has an invisible dipper. In each interaction, we can use our dipper either to fill or to dip from others buckets.
  • Whenever we choose to fill others’ buckets, we in turn fill our own.

The Theory of the Dipper and the Bucket has been investigated, applied, and embraced by millions around the world over the past half century. People who have heard this theory found it to be inspiring and easily applicable in their everyday lives. Most importantly it is a theory you can put to work to make your life better – right now.

In the pages that follow, you will find:

  1. a simple language to use and share with others
  2. a summary of research discoveries that are applicable in your daily life  
  3. true dipper and bucket stories
  4. ways to eliminate negativity from your workplace and life
  5. five proven strategies for increasing positive emotions

NEXT UP:

Ch Two: Positivity, Negativity, and Productivity

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Ch ONE : NEGATIVITY KILLS!

From Tom Rath’s “How Full Is Your Bucket?”

merlin: Make sure you understand the pivotal importance of this first paragraph for not only the life altering influence for Don CLifton, Ph.D., but also for his grandson Tom Rath, Gallup, and millions of others benefiting from his initial research in the 50’s at the University of Nebraska.

When we started writing this book, the first question I asked my grandfather was: “Why did you begin studying what is right with people?” Don answered my question without a moment’s hesitation – his review of one specific case study had altered the entire focus of his career and life. And this study was about as far as possible from a positive or inspiring story:

Following the Korean War, Major (Dr.) William E Mayer, who later became the US Army chief psychiatrist, studied 1000 American prisoners of war who had been detained in a North Korean camp. He was particularly interested in examining one of the most extreme and perversely effective cases of psychological warfare on record – one that had a devastating impact on its subjects.

American soldiers had been detained in camps that were not considered especially cruel or unusual by conventional standards. The captive soldiers had adequate food, water, and shelter. They weren’t subjected to common physical torture tactics of the times such as having bamboo shoots driven under their fingernails. In fact, fewer cases of physical abuse were reported in the North Korean POW camps that in prison camps from any other major military conflict throughout history.

Why, then, did so many American soldiers die in these camps? They weren’t hemmed in with barbed wire. Armed guards did not surround the camps. Yet no soldier ever tried to escape. Furthermore, these men regularly broke rank and turned against each other, sometimes forming close relationships with their N Korean captors.

When the survivors were released to a Red Cross group in Japan, they were given the chance to phone loved ones to let them know they were alive. Very few bothered to make the call.

Upon returning home, the soldiers maintained no friendships or relationships with each other. Mayer described each man as being in a mental “solitary confinement cell…  without any steel or concrete.

Mayer had discovered a new disease in the POW camps – a disease of extreme hopelessness. It was not uncommon for a soldier to wander into his hut and look despairingly about, deciding there was no use in trying to participate in his own survival. He would go into a corner alone, sit down, pull a blanket over his head. And he would be dead within two days.

The soldiers actually call it “give up-it is.” The doctors labored it labeled it “marasmus,” meaning, in Mayer’s words, “a lack of resistance, a passivity.” If the soldiers had been hit, spat upon, or slapped, they would have become angry. Their anger would have given them the motivation to survive. But in the absence of motivation, they simply died, even though there was no medical justification for their deaths.

Despite relatively minimal physical torture, “marasmus” raised the overall death rate in the North Korean POW camps to incredible 38% – the highest POW death rate in the US military history. Even more astounding was that half of these soldiers died simply because they ‘d given up. They had completely surrendered both mentally and physically.

How could this have happened the answers were found in the extreme mental tactics that the North Korean captors used. They employed what Mayer described as the “ultimate weapon” of war.

To Be Continued:

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Is Being of “Sacred Service” Really My Premier Aspiration?

My Utmost For His Highest Nov 9

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ… Colossians 1:24

Do I fully understand that my only assignment as a Christian worker is to be a sacred “go-between.”  We must be absolutely so closely identified with our Lord and the reality of His redemption, that Christ can continually transmit His creative relationships through us.

I am not merely referring to the superficial strength of one individual’s personality being superimposed on another, but the strategic presence of Christ coming through every subconscious aspect of my life. Do I understand when I live-out the invitational historical facts of the life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ as they are conveyed in the New Testament, that my words/witness are made sacred? Therefore, as God uses my testimony as His ambassador, connected to the basis of His redemption, He creates foundations for future holiness / righteousness linkages with those who listen, which may have otherwise, never have been created.

However, if we were to simply preach the effects of redemption in human lives, rather than the revealed divine truth regarding Jesus Himself, the end result is not new birth in those who listen. Instead, the result is a refined religious lifestyle (perhaps, a culture of legalism?), and the Spirit of God cannot witness to it because such preaching is in direct opposition to His. Therefore, we must make sure that we are living in such harmony with God that as we proclaim His truth, He can create in others those redemptive qualities which He alone can impart, such as justification, the pathway to sanctification.

BOTTOM LINE:

When we applaud mere man by saying, “What a wonderful personality, what a fascinating person, or, what wonderful insight,” then what opportunity does the gospel of God have through all of that? It cannot get through, because the attraction is for the messenger, and not the message. If a person attracts through his personality, that becomes his appeal. If, however, he is identified with and motivated by, the Lord Himself; then the appeal becomes what Jesus Christ can do. Our danger is to glory in men, yet Jesus says we are to lift up only Him (see John 12:32).

NEXT UP:

How To Differentiate Your Voice and God’s Voice.

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How to LET the Holy Spirit LEAD Your Life

By Illustrated Theology

Why do we keep falling into the same sins? Even after promising we wouldn’t ever again! It’s not a lack of willpower, & it’s not because we don’t love God. The truth is, that there is a war going on inside us. And if we don’t learn to walk in the Spirit now, our enemy will always win. But take heart, the Bible shows us the way.

merlin: Again, as prior, if technology works, you may either read the script, or scroll down for the YouTube version at the bottom. Your choice. As always, your comments are appreciated, and everything posted, is first & foremost, written to myself, so don’t cob an attitude as time is short and THE night is coming!

Step 1: Recognize the Inner War

First of all, we need to face the reality there is a war going on inside of us, and it’s not an occasional conflict, that only shows up in times of crisis. Rather, it’s a constant daily and inevitable battle. Paul makes this clear in Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary the one to the other, so that you cannot do the things that you would.”

In other words, there is no neutral zone. It’s not maybe; it’s an actual struggle! It is always happening! Every day your flesh pulls one way and the Spirit pulls the other. It’s as if there were two voices inside of you fighting for control of your life and this conflict shows up in the simplest things. Your flesh says, sleep 30 more minutes, the spirit says, get up and pray. Your flesh shouts, just one more episode, the spirit whispers, go read the word. Your flesh demands, respond in the same measure, the spirit calls, offer forgiveness. Your flesh cries out for immediate pleasure, the Spirit reminds you, of eternal joy.

Understand this is essential, because many people feel being a Christian means no longer feeling the desire to sin. But that’s a myth. Conversion does not eliminate the desires of the flesh. It puts you on the battlefield against them, the difference now is that you are no longer unarmed. Before without Christ, you had no choice; the flesh commanded and you obeyed. But now with the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, there is power to say No! The desire of the flesh still exists, but obedience is no longer inescapable. This tension will not disappear while we are in this body. Paul himself confessed, for the good that I would, I do not. But the evil which I would not, that I do. Even the apostle fought daily against this inner war. So, walking in the Spirit, begins by recognizing there is no neutrality. There is a war inside of you, but just being aware of this war is not enough.

Step 2: is Essential, Feed the Spirit Daily.

Joshua received this clear command from God. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day and night that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success.” Notice the principle. Joshua’s victory would not come merely from military strategy or courage before enemies, but from his faithfulness to the Word of God. Victory begins with obedience and dependence on the Scriptures. Now think with me. No one wins a war with starving soldiers. In the same way, no one wins the spiritual battles of life if the Spirit is malnourished. If the Holy Spirit dwells in you, He needs to be fed and the food is the Word of God. Jesus said,

“It is the Spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you; they are Spirit and they are life Without this daily nourishment our faith weakens and the flesh takes control. It’s simple. If the Bible stays closed, the flesh grows. If the Bible is opened every day, the Spirit speaks louder, and here’s the practical test, what is the first thing you feed in the morning? The mind, with social media, or the Spirit, with the Word? This seemingly small choice reveals who is getting stronger inside of you, the flesh, or the Spirit?

I realized that one of the greatest changes in my spiritual life was something very simple; replacing the habit of waking up and grabbing my phone with the habit of opening the Bible. Now, besides my devotional time, I begin my day by reading at least a Psalm or a passage from the Gospels. It’s amazing how this, changes the tone of the entire day. Before being bombarded by work, bad news, demands and daily problems, I’ve already set my feet on what is eternal. This simple choice has helped me start the day walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh.  

Step 3: Pray Without Ceasing.

Many people have a distorted idea of what it means to walk in the Spirit. Some imagine it’s living in a trance, levitating, having visions every moment, or experiencing spectacular manifestations every day, but the reality is much simpler, and at the same time much more important than that. Walking in the Spirit is living, while seeking God’s direction in every moment of life. Paul summarized this brilliantly when he wrote “Pray without Ceasing.”

Of course, he wasn’t saying we should spend 24 hours on our knees isolated from the world without working, studying, or talking. What he meant is that we can turn each ordinary moment of our day into an opportunity for prayer. It’s like living with the heart always online with God, without losing connection. That means when you thank God for your food, even in a quick meal, you are walking in the Spirit. When you ask for guidance before a meeting or an important decision you are walking in the Spirit. When you choose to pray instead of complaining, you are giving space for the Spirit to guide your reaction.

And here comes the practical application, create prayer triggers throughout your day, small habits that remind you almost automatically to turn your mind back to God. For example, every time you open the door to leave the house, thank him for your family, and your home. Before answering a difficult message, pray for wisdom and calm. In traffic, instead of letting irritation take over, turn it into praise. Play a hymn. Thank him for transportation. Ask for patience. These gestures may seem small but they allow the Spirit to guide your life. Here comes the most radical part and at the same time, the most forgotten by many, Paul wrote “And they that are Christ’s, have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts.

Step Four: Crucify the Flesh Daily.

Pay close attention. He didn’t say the flesh must be educated, disciplined, or improved; he said crucified. Walking in the Spirit is not only about doing good deeds, attending church services, or performing right actions. It is also about denying what draws us away from God. It is choosing to die to impulses that may feel natural, but in reality, lead to spiritual death. You will need to make a value exchange. The flesh says, “Follow your heart; the Spirit says, “Deny yourself. The flesh says, “Do what makes you happy.” The Spirit says, “Do what glorifies God.” The flesh says, “Enjoy today because tomorrow is uncertain.” The Spirit replies “Sow today to reap in eternity.”

Crucifying the flesh means taking concrete steps against sin. If laziness is your weakness, impose discipline, set schedules, complete tasks, even without desire. Defeat apathy with consistency. If pride rules your heart, practice acts of service in secret, without seeking applause, doing it only to please God. Many people reduce the idea of walking in the Spirit to simply avoiding sin. Of course, resisting sin is fundamental, but that is not the complete picture. Paul explains that the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-Suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, & Temperance.

Step 5: Produce the Fruit of the Spirit.

Notice two important things. First, he uses the word fruit in the singular, not fruits. This shows that it’s not about separate qualities but a complete character that the Holy Spirit forms within us. The fruit is one, but with several aspects, that together reveal the life of Christ in us. Second, this fruit is not produced by your willpower. You cannot by human effort consistently become a person full of love, joy and peace. The fruit is the work of the Spirit. He produces it in you as you surrender, abide in Christ, and feed on His word. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me, you can do nothing.”

In every situation of life, don’t just ask what should I not do; instead go further, and ask which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, can I manifest here? In conflict, can I show meekness? Instead of an outburst, in waiting, can I display patience instead of anxiety? Under pressure, can I live with self-control, instead of giving into impulse? In pain, can I choose the joy that comes from the Lord? Do you see the difference?

BOTTOM LINE:

Those who live only running from sin live on the defensive, like someone who is always putting out fires, but those who walk in the Spirit, live on the offensive, revealing Christ in every detail.

So, what should you know about walking in the Spirit? Remember that it’s not a privilege for a select few, but the calling of every Christian. You do this when you recognize the inner war! Feed the Spirit daily with the Word. Live in constant prayer. Crucify the flesh every day. Produce the fruit of the Spirit. And here is the greatest truth, you don’t walk in the Spirit alone. It is the Spirit Himself who enables you. Your part is to choose to surrender, to hand over the direction of your life to Him every day. Remember the flesh promises quick pleasure but delivers a pervading, enduring & disgusting emptiness, not to mention eternal death! The Spirit may lead you through the narrow path, but in the end, He brings you to abundant life, forever! So, the decision is yours. Will you keep giving in to the impulses of the flesh, or will you choose to walk filled with the Spirit?

NEXT UP: How To Differentiate Your Voice and God’s Voice

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How to Talk WITH God, & Not TO God / Pray Effectively.

By Illustrated Theology

Have you ever felt that prayer makes no difference at all?

merlin: Again, as prior if technology works, you may either read the script, or scroll down for the YouTube version at the bottom. Your choice. As always, your comments are appreciated, and everything posted, is first & foremost, to myself, so don’t cob an attitude as time is short and THE night is coming!

I need to be honest even though I’ve been a Christian practically my whole life, it was only recently that I began to feel a true desire to pray intensely. For a long time, I lived without understanding the real power of prayer. I believe that what determined the course of events were our choices. And that free will was at the center of my worldview.

And that weakened my prayer life. I prayed little for conversions because I believe that this decision was individual, something that depended only on the person. My prayer would have no power to convince anyone. At most, my words could. I prayed little for deliverance for my sins because I thought that abandoning them was only a matter of willpower. And in general, I prayed little for anything because deep down I believe that God was not going to keep interfering in the world since he himself had given us free will.

Later when I entered a Calvinist seminary, my view changed radically. I began to believe in the absolute sovereignty of God who rules over everything and everyone. But then another problem came. If God is already determined everything, why should I pray? My mind would say, “It makes no difference. After all, those predestined from eternity will be saved regardless of my prayers. God is sovereign and everything bad that will happen or cease to happen in my life is already determined by His plan and all I have to do is accept it.”

And again, I kept drifting away from prayer. Maybe you can relate to what happened to me. If you lean too far to one side, only free will, or to the other, only absolute sovereignty, prayer life can equally become an empty ritual, cold, lifeless.

As a pastor, I’ve counseled many people who feel guilty for not having motivation to pray. In our conversations, I quickly realized that one of the biggest reasons for this is the lack of faith that prayer really makes a difference in their problems. The result, prayer becomes dry, lifeless, done only out of habit. Many times, it also becomes repetitive. We repeat the same words like a scratched record, without reflecting on what we are saying.

And finally, prayer comes to be seen as a tiresome obligation lived out like a boring task, instead of a privilege. Because of these problems that I and many other Christians have faced, in the next few minutes, I will show you in the light of God’s Word that prayer is indeed extremely important and powerful in its effects. So, stay with me until the end of this video so that your way of seeing the importance of prayer, will never be the same again.

Exodus 33:11 states, “And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend.” Notice that Moses did not speak to God. He spoke with God. It was a real conversation, open, full of sincerity. At one point, he poured out his heart about the burden of leading Israel and God responded with a promise. “My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee, rest.” Moses then went further and said, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory,” and God answered, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee.

See, this was not a cold distant conversation. It was friendship. It was closeness. There was an exchange of thoughts and then comes that shocking moment in the episode of the golden calf. The people made an idol and God announced that He would destroy Israel and start all over again with Moses. Imagine that! He could have become the new Abraham, but instead of accepting, Moses interceded.

He reminded God of his character, of his promises, and even said, “Why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people whom thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?” And then we read something astonishing! “And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.”

Here it’s important to explain that the Bible is not saying God is unstable. What the text shows, is that he chose, to relate, to listen, to give room for intercession. He wanted to involve Moses in what was happening. The destruction that was about to take place did not happen because of Moses’ intercession.

Another similar episode happens with Abraham interceding for Sodom. God reveals that He will destroy the city because of its wickedness, but Abraham full of courage, begins a sort of negotiation. He asks, “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Per venture there are 50 righteous within the city, wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the 50 righteous that are therein,” and God answers, “If I find in Sodom 50 righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake.” Abraham does not stop there. He keeps reducing the number 45, 40, 30, 20 until he reaches ten. And each time God confirms, “I will not destroy it, down to “for ten sake.”

This scene is powerful because it shows that God opens himself to dialog. He does not rebuke Abraham for daring, but involves him in his plan. Once again, we see that prayer is not an empty monologue. It is the Creator allowing a human being to take part in his actions in the world.

These two examples, although very interesting, raise two questions in our minds. First, God does not talk to us in this way today. In many moments, prayer feels more like talking to ourselves. Second, we are not on the same level as these supermen of God in the Bible. All this is true but it is important to say that even though we no longer have this possibility of conversing with God as with a friend, face to face, we still have the incredible privilege of perceiving that He answers us through His Providence. He organizes events in creation all the time so that His will is fulfilled and more.

In Christ, we receive something even greater, in whom we have boldness and access, with confidence by the faith of Him. In other words, we do not need to be spiritual giants to talk with God. Any Christian sustained by faith can draw near to Him, freely open their heart, and be certain that he is being heard.

And this is where everything changes. From the examples of Moses and Abraham and many other men in the Bible, we realize that prayer is not about pushing buttons on a divine machine expecting automatic answers. Prayer is real conversation with the living God. Sometimes He says yes, sometimes no, sometimes wait, but he always responds as a friend who is present.

Unfortunately, many times we try to turn our interaction with God into a formula to obtain from Him the life we want. We try to live a good moral life. Add to that doing things in church, praying, reading the Bible, and avoiding sin. We mistakenly conclude that by doing all this perfectly, we will obtain God’s blessing. But God is not a formula, nor some kind of impersonal energy force. He is a relational being. God desires to know and be known. He thinks, feels, rejoices, grieves, loves, is angered by sin, and has compassion for our weakness. In his high priestly prayer, Jesus says to the Father, “And I have declared unto them Thy Name and will declare it, that the love wherewith thou hast loved me, may be in them and I in them.”

In other words, Christ’s desire was not merely that we would have rules or religious practices to get requests answered, but that we would experience the love of the Father. This shows that the Christian life is not about decoding some spiritual equation to receive blessings but diving into a relationship where the love of God is real, present, and transforming, and do you know what all this means? That our prayers can indeed change things, not because God does not know what to do, but because He has chosen to relate to us. He chose to act through the prayers of His people.

James 5:16 sums it up well, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Effective prayer is not reciting memorized words, nor fulfilling an obligation, because God has already decided everything. When you pray, something can change, something that was going to happen, may cease to happen. Something that was not going to happen, may begin to happen, all because you placed yourself before the living God, who hears, answers, and acts.

In Hebrews 4:16 we read, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This verse is a key to understanding prayer. It does not say, let us come with fear or let us come only when we are perfect! It says with boldness! This is revolutionary. In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holys and even then, only once a year, after many rituals but now, because of Christ, every Christian can approach the throne of grace at any moment in any place. What was once the privilege of one man, is now the invitation for all of us and see what we find at this throne; not condemnation, not scorn, but abundant mercy and grace! That means when we pray, we are not standing before a grim judge waiting for our failure, but rather, before a loving Father ready to help us.

And more, the text promises help in time of need. This means that God does not answer late or out of season; He responds at the right time, at the exact moment we need. It may not be when we expect, but it is always when we need it. Prayer makes room for this divine aid that comes in just the right measure.

That’s why I want to challenge you. Don’t pray anymore as if fulfilling an obligation. Pray as one, who speaks with the present Father, as one who talks with a friend who cares, as one who participates in something real. From today on, every time you kneel or simply whisper, “Lord help me,” remember this. You are not talking to the walls. You are speaking to the Living God and He is listening. And, if He is listening, then prayer makes all the difference!

NEXT UP:

How To Let The Holy Spirit Lead

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Daisy and I Soon Found The Mayor’s House …… Part II

If you’ve not read Part I, I suggest do so prior to reading this.

… tucked under the spread of a huge banyan tree. The doors finally creaked open after a long pause following my loud knocking, and a charming, elderly Chinese lady who spoke fluent English with a British accent greeted us. “Good evening. Won’t you please come in,” she invited with polite formality. “My husband will be out soon to visit with you. Please be seated,” our host urged pointing us to several elaborately carved wooden chairs. I finally saw the mayor shuffling towards us through a darkened doorway. His wife immediately left her seat offering it to her husband and she scooted off. The mayor seemed ancient, his face a mass of wrinkles that nearly swallowed his eyes.

I could tell the mayor was very calculating by the questions he asked. Like his wife, he spoke fluent British English. Finally, the questioning came to the heart of our visit, as he directly inquired. “Why have you left America to come to Hong Kong? Why do you want to live in our village?”

I knew this was the crucial question because this was obviously a Buddhist village that practiced ancestral worship. The chances that they would allow a Western Christian Gweilo, a “foreign devil,” as Westerners are commonly called, to live among them seem very unlikely. But I also knew, I had to be totally honest about the call God had placed on our lives.

Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling, I ventured, “We’re here because the living God directed us to come. We are here to tell Chinese people about his Son, Jesus Christ. Do you know who he is?”

The mayor looked at me for an uncomfortably long time. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking as he stared at me from expressionless eyes peering out of narrow slits. Finally, a slight smile began to break scattering the wrinkles on his face in different directions.

 To my complete surprise, he said, “Well, praise the Lord! I’ve been preparing for years that God would bring someone to this village with the gospel. What can I do to help you?”

By the end of our visit, the mayor and I had an agreement that would help renovate an older two-story house in the middle of the village. His daughter owned it and been used for storage over the previous 20 years. In exchange they would waive the standard two-month deposit along with the first month’s rent. They would also pay for all the materials we required make the property livable again. Before Daisy and I left the village, we prayed together with the mayor that God would use us to bring glory to His name and that His love would be revealed in the village.

Work on our new project began the next day as we rushed to beat the two-week deadline of vacating the company apartment. Working late into the evening hours and on weekends, Daisy and I replaced 40 broken window panes, and removed piles of trash. We scrubbed and painted the inside of the two-story building from top to bottom. By the time I completed the last two weeks of employment, we were ready to move our few belongings out of the company apartment and into our miracle house.

Needless to say, our arrival attracted the attention of the entire village. Being the only white Westerners who ever lived in this village, I was very aware that nearly every move I made was being scrutinized, especially by the old grandmas who lived in the houses surrounding ours on all four sides. How I treated my children and my wife was carefully watched, and I felt the pressure to be on my very best behavior for the sake of representing Jesus well.

This is the second two-post revealing Wendell & Daisy’s intimate dependence on God to provide. I trust you can recall similar instances on your own journey. Count your Blessings. Be honest with your own current situation & do intercede for others you know whom are similarly struggling.

NEXT UP: An thought-provoking discourse on How To Talk “WITH” God and Not “TO” God, a 10 minute YouTube following the written script. Plan accordingly.

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GO NOW From the Innermost Parts of the Heart to the Uttermost Parts of the World

This is the second two-post revealing Wendell & Daisy’s intimate dependence on God to provide. I trust you can recall similar instances on your own journey. Count your Blessings. Be honest with your own current situation & do intercede for others you know whom are similarly struggling.

Chapter 20 Evidence of Things Not Seen Part 1.

So don’t worry about these things, saying, “What will we eat? What will we drink” What will we wear?” These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT)

In January 1988, having worked as an art director at the import and export company for over a year, Daisy and I determined that we really had to move on. The call of God on our lives was stronger now than ever. We recognized that God had brought us this far by faith. If we were going to continue with Him on this journey, we needed to keep going by faith. The challenge of deliberately cutting from the source of finances we were now so dependent upon, was once again the battle we would have to fight. However, I didn’t want to go through that agonizing process the way I had experienced it when I left the job teaching at the college.

“Daisy, we need to know for sure if God called us a full-time service or not. If God really called us here to serve him, then the only way I know how to do this is to trust him 100 percent to take care of us and provide for our needs. I just can’t do what God has put in my heart and keep working at this job at the same time.”

Daisy agreed, and so, together, we made the choice to take another step of faith. We determined I would leave my place of employment deliberately and not tell anyone about it except God alone. No hinting by requesting prayers for our finances in newsletters to our friends, family, and church back in the states. Likewise, no telling our friends and other missionaries, or even Daisy’s family in Hong Kong that I was leaving my job. This would be between ourselves and God alone. “This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust Him.” Psalm 9:2

Without deliberating further, I gave notice that I was leaving my job. This time the response from my boss was different from when I left my teaching job over a year ago.

“I want you to hire a new art director and be out of your office and the company apartment in two weeks,” I was told matter-of-factly.

I’d almost forgotten that we were living free in the company apartment and that sudden realization brought a wave of alarm I tried hard not to show. “No problem, we’ll be gone,” I replied with a faint coolness.

My mind, however screamed, Big problem! Big big problem! Just like that, I had once again taken my family on a wild plug for the edge of a cliff with no hope of a safe landing, except that God would intervene.

Word quickly spread among my office staff. “Do you know where you’re going to live?” asked Cheung, the first artist I had hired a year ago. “If you’re looking for a good place, I know some vacant apartments available in a little village where I live near the China border.” Checking himself, he said, “But I don’t know if they’ll even allow a Westerner to live there. It’s privately owned, traditional old-style Chinese village that has belonged to the Hui family for many generations. But I suppose I can find out for sure if you want me to.”

Since we had no other options for housing, on such notice, this seemed like a good idea as any. “Well, sure, why not let’s see what happens.” I replied hopefully.

When Chang arrived at the office the next day, he reported he’d already arranged for Daisy and me to meet the village mayor the following evening. The mayor wanted to interview with us before determining if permission for outsiders to live among them would be granted

Leaving our children in the care of Daisy’s mother we arrived at the village the following evening after a 35-minute train ride from our home in Mong Kok. It was a dark as we found our way to the entrance that passed through a 12-foot-thick section of an ancient fortification wall that surrounded the village for many generations. Within that gate was an altar in front of an idol of a Buddhist deity where the smoke of incense rose from the glowing tips of several just set behind a few oranges, a bowl of rice and a cup of tea. This was to honor and entreat protection from the village god and family ancestors.

TO BE CONTINUED

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