humility

Since we did Praying The Bible five days a week as a group at the War College I felt the need to continue doing that during my summer assignment to get into the habit of following this discipline even when I have to do it on my own. God reminded me of that when I came to the point of not knowing how to fill the daily time I set aside to meet Jesus in a meaningful way - so I started to work out material to pray the bible for myself.

While I'm reparing myself for further ministry in Germany God is challenging me again and again NOT to raise myself in pride above others back home attempting to teach them, because now I might consider myself knowing everything. So I asked God to teach me about humility:

PTB - humility:

Jesus example:
- Matthew 11:28
- John 1:14,17
- Phil. 2:5-11
- John 13: 4-5; 12-17

human examples:
- 1. Tim. 1:12-17
- Luke 18:9-14

brotherhood

Going to see the Salvation Army Canadian Staff Band in Burnaby I met one of my session mates, which was absolutely incouraging for me since it was not a "How are you?" - "Good. How are you?" - "Good." conversation, but an encounter that prooved that we are children of the same Father in heaven.

This kind of relationship differs with others simply by the facts that we honestly can share each other's burdens, that real issues we are struggeling with are neither ignored nor overlooked, that we can be real with each other, that you find a listening ear and encouragement and that you get someone to pray for you.

Sadly enough I don't have this kind of relationship with all Christians that are a big part of my life. Which makes me wonder if I'm encountering other's in that way that's lifting myself up that much - which I want everyone to be blessed with when they meet me.

Thanks, brother, for being such a blessing for me!

rebuke

In a conversation one guy seriously brought me to the point of doubting my salvation and me being filled with God's Spirit. What if our whole Christian mindset about salvation and ministry is not true the way we walk in? What if I've just been influenced by our common teaching while overlooking God's truth in the bible?

And I could not even clearly identify these questions rising up in my mind as an attack of Satan since all he said was plain truth from the bible, with nothing different than a slightly altered interpretation.

Scattered and confused I ran for help to God, turning to my bible, the source of truth, for clarification.

I always kinda envied people hearing Scripture references God told them to look up, like: "Go to Proverbs 4:2, ...", since I hardly experienced God's voice that way in my life. But this time God made it work and it was one of the times I heard God's voice speaking most clearly into my life: "Go to Galations 5:8!"

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. "

I know, I AM SAVED and GOD'S SPIRIT LIVES IN ME!

incarnational living

Buying a bike I got a whole step closer to fitting in the street community in Maple Ridge, because that's what everybody has and cares about here.

Since my bike got fixed by one of the guys behind the house I got the chance to hang out for hours with our clients where they spend all day. This normally makes me feel kind of like not belonging since there simply seems to be a pretty big gap between people related to as "staff" - which is how they see us no matter whether we are paid or not - and clients.
And it effected me deeply.

Watching how two of the guys got into a fight, one getting his finger cut and the blood dripping on the parking lot; meeting a lady whose husband died just the day before, ... and seeing everybody hugging her and offering help. And me, appointed to be here to show God's love, just standing next to it.

What do we have to offer? Are we living up to it?

As soon as I went into the house and into my room I felt this huge wall between two different worlds separating us from their community.

How can we really share people's lives? How can we become like them without being sucked in into the mentality of living on the streets, aggression, dispair and venting our feelings in swearing?

wedding banquet

Jonathan reminded us of the beauty of the ministry of the Caring Place where all people, regardless of background or reputation, eat together in the hall that is also used as the sanctuary of the corps - like guests at the feast the Lord has prepared for us.

Going back to Matthew Chapter 22 Jesus tells a story about a king preparing a wedding feast for his son, where eventually none of the invited guests show up but the hall still got filled with guests from the streets, good and bad alike.

They are not the rich ones that are coming to the Caring Place to eat just like they were the ones that rejected the king's invitation in Jesus' parable. They are the ones from the street corners, whoever we can find. And Jesus said, they are the ones really worthy of the honor of being part of his feast.

I believe that God blesses innercity ministry in a special way, which I find confirmed in Jesus saying that he came to "call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." And I find more people being open to Jesus call on their lives among street people, addicts and criminals - outcasts of society -, than among our self-confident, wealthy, suburban society.

That's why I want to continue to "go out to the street corners and invite everyone I see", so that they may accept the invitation and be part of the big, final wedding feast of Jesus and his bride, all believers, at the end of the world in heaven!

breakthru

I believe we achieved breakthrough today after days of low motivation, frustration and discouragement. And all started with another discouragement by our worship leader again not being able to be with us at our prayer and worship meeting Knee Drill.

The last days I seriously grew tired of seeking conversation with clients because of the wall of complaint, slander, accusation and impure talk coming against me and causing me to reject their fellowship and giving room to division between us.

I deeply felt the need to pray against that in our dining room; what God faithfully brought up at Knee Drill by calling us to pray against attacks from the enemy prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

I believe and feel that God gave us victory over division between the clients and us, the spirits of complain, accusation, slander and impure talk, intimidation and self-condemnation.
And, over the lie that we need music for a prayer and worship meeting!

kingdom parable

Sitting in the Chinese garden I saw a single leaf, attached to the branch of the tree by nothing more than a single stringe of a spiderweb, almost invisible, but tight, gently moved by the wind.

God spoke to me through this picture about my connection to him: almost invisible, seemingly not strong enough to hold me, but untearable. Not allowing me to be carried away by the wind of daily troubles, but enabling me to dance in it.

insignificant

I think, God needs to teach me more about the seemingly insignificance of his kingdom. When people ask me about my plans for the day all I can tell is: praying, talking to people at mealtimes, reading or occasionally going for coffee - which basicly sounds like I'm not doing anything of importance at all.

But since Jesus illustrated his kingdom with a mustard seed, the smallest of all known seeds at that point of time, I cling on to the belief, that God is going to let a huge tree grow out of my smallest efforts. That he wins the battle in the spiritual realm when I'm praying, speaking his truth into the lives of people during conversation, transforming my mind into being like Jesus when I read and building life-changing relationships while going out for coffee.

And sometimes he let's me see the vision of the tree when I see how he speaks through me, hear people admitting their weekness in prayer or can help people discover God in the bible - although it's hard to continue digging into the ground to plant the seeds trusting in God to let me see the harvest, for that's what he promised me:

"Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest. The fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and you will gather the harvest."

(John 4:35-38)

Psalm 51

Lord,
create in me a pure heart, out of which flows love with pure motives, one that stands before you depending on you.
Renew a steadfast spirit within me that makes me constantly seek you, standing firm in the faith, not wavering from your promises, not slacking in obedience, every day.
Do not cast me from your presence but let me see your eyes resting on me and hear your voice comforting me, correcting me, guiding me.
And don't take your Holy Spirit from me, for on my own I can't be faithful to you.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, let me dance because I can't hold back my joy about you and the great things you do.
Grant me a willing spirit, willing to seek your face, to wait on your answer, to claim your grace anew every morning, to chose to believe every day, to fight.

transforming prayer

I stole that from our 614 leader Danielle Strickland (published in "Salvationism 301"):

"I'm talking about prayer that changes you from the inside out - glowworm style. The actual radiating glory of God radiating from you! And you can't keept it in... you are so in love with Jesus and so close to Him that He fills you with supernatural life and light!
You talk with Him like lovers do.
You tell Him your secrets and He responds with the desires of His heart for you.
You fall into this intimate encounter with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and
you not only call Him, master, you call Him friend.
You lose the Christian lingo and cultural habits and let loose with Him.
You share your heart - everthing in it.
You call out His promises.
You wait and listen.
You answer.
You change.
It's the bomb.

That's what prayer is all about. It's meant to transform you into the image of God. Jesus gets on the inside of you and His thoughts become your thoughts, and His ways your will. You spend time with the Creator of all and He invades you and causes you to be absolutely transformed just by bein in His presence."

I definitely want to trade some morning's prayer time with my thoughts wandering while I'm struggeling not to fall asleep and trying to calm down to listen to God's voice.

But - thank God - there are experiences that let me know that that's the truth about prayer.

"Jesus, teach me how to pray!"

the martyrs

Praying about opposition and hatred because we follow Jesus, God reminded me of some promises for those enduring and staying faithful till the very end - check that out!

Everyone who is victorious
- will eat from the TREE OF LIFE in the paradise of God.
- will not be hurt by the SECOND DEATH.
- will eat of the MANNA that has been hidden away in heaven and will be given a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a NEW NAME that no one knows except the one who receives it.
- will be given AUTHORITY OVER ALL THE NATIONS, ruling the nations with an iron rod and smashing them like clay pots. They will have the same authority Jesus received from the Father, and they will also be given the MORNING STAR!
- will be CLOTHED IN WHITE. Their names will never be erased from the Book of Life, but Jesus will announce them before his Father and his angels that they are his.
- will become a PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD, and they will never have to leave it. Jesus will write God's name on them, and they will be citizens in the city of God--the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from God. And they will have Jesus' new name inscribed upon them.
- will SIT WITH JESUS ON HIS THRONE,

(Revelations 2 and 3)

God says: All who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

(Revelations 21:7)

Paul says: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.

(2 Timothy 2:11-12)

Makes hungry for more, ey?

perseverance

A couple of days ago I got news from the one and ony Austrian Salvation Army corps in Austria, Corps Vienna.

Four years ago the territorial Army leadership decided to close the corps, but the small congregation decided to keep it going on their own. They got permission to continue under one condition: not to claim any financial help from the Territorial Headquater or support by Army personal.

On top of that they lost their building with the shutting down of the women's shelter, so that they are now meeting in the basement of a soldier's residence.

One key person keeping the ministry going is Ilka, a soldier of Christ, not surrendering to opposition, not allowing herself and her congregation to be defeated by circumstances.

I believe God has big plans for his Army in Austria! And since his strength is perfected in our weakness and he can move when our hands are bound I can see it starting now!

the life journal

It took me quite a few hours, but there it is: I translated the bible reading plan of the Life Journal into German.

I love it, since it gets you to read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice in one year! Our corps 614 Vancouver uses it for cell mates and for recruits for soldiership, since having read through the bible is one of our corps officer's conditions for becoming a soldier.

And since I'm planning to go back to Germany to minister with the Salvation Army there I figure it's a pretty good tool.

You never read through the whole bible before? Get on it!

Find the english version at www.renewnetwork.net/readings.
Want the German one? Email me at esthermv@gmx.at!

souvereign and merciful

Since I got the assignment to write a devotional on Exodus chapter 10 I got to think about God as the one who willingly makes people stubborn, hardens their hard, blinds their eyes and hinders them from getting to know him and finding healing.

Pretty unfair, especially when he then punishes them for their rebellion. Quite selfish, displaying his power, and, on another occashion bringing salvation to his people, on cost of others.

And all of that seems to have one reason: "That they may know that I am the Lord"!

Paul writes in Romans Chapter nine: "Is God unfair? Why does god blame poeple for not listening? Haven't they simply done what he made them do?"

He is God and I am not. It's all about his mercy. That's the reason that I know him. Because he chose to reveal himself to me. And there is nothing that I can do to influence his decision. Makes me pretty thankful. I'm dependent on his mercy. It's mercy that he's not turning his wrath agianst me but shows me his glory.

He is the Lord. Unquestionable. Incomprehensible. Souvereign. But merciful.

Isaiah 55:9: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

grannies 4 christ

Yesterday I was blessed to pray with four ladies coming to our shelter, which is also the corps, in order just to pray - calling themselves "Grannies for Christ".

There they are: all of them at the age of over 50 years, speaking in tongues, taking authority over assignments of the enemy, praying for awakening in the Salvation Army, for clients and staff, and for the Canadian Government.

That's how I always want to see a home league meeting to look like! Prayer warriors, declaring war to the enemy, taking the kingdom by force!

God bless them!

why we succeed

Listen again to George Scott Railton, quoting in "Heathen England" some reasons for the early success of the Salvation Army, which easily could be reasons for success today!

"The Army succeeds by

- aiming at immediate results

"We have always aimed at immediate and definite results, believing that the Gospel of christ, properly preached in the demonstration of the Spirit, and with power, ought to prove, most prove, visibly as well as in the heart, its Divine efficiency." - Amen!

- making the most of the converts

"We simply ask people to speak what they do know and testify to that they have seen, and the mere fact of their having become so totally changed as to stand there at all, speaks with a voice that completely stills in every honest mind cavilling about their words, their manners, and their defects."

- teaching converts to be holy

"The people have been taught to seek for that perfect love which casteth out fear an fits people for desperate warfare against sin, - for that consuming zeal which uses up in the Master's service every faculty and hour."

- teaching it's hearers to do their utmost towards meeting the expenses of the work

"We think it a vastly important test of the value of any work done amongst the poor, to what extent they themselves help to keep it up. "

happy 1st anniversary

Today I'm celebrating my first anniversary that God called me to be a soldier of the Salvation Army.

Back in Hamburg/Germany some people vehemently tried to talk me into soldiership, which was actually not too far from my personal growing interest and love for the Army.

I made the mistake to ask God what would be his final answer if he wants me to be part of the Army or not, and discovered how quite a few people plainly said right in my face: "You should become a soldier! An officer!" - "You are going to be an officer, aren't you?" Until I finally realized, that this was supposed to be God's answer to my question.

Turning to my bible for guidance God hid this verse in my daily reading: Isaiah 42:20: "You see and understand what is right but refuse to act on it. " - Know I knew for sure that it's God speaking!

A few days later when I finally talked to my corps officer God gave me the ultimative confirmation when I checked my emails back home: I was accepted for the War College, where I am now!

Praise God that he has not given up on his Army but is still calling people into it's ranks to fight as soldiers for the salvation of souls!

We shall win!

entertainment

I'm currently reading this book from Georg Scott Railton "Heathen England", it's telling me a great deal of how the Salvation Army used to look like when it started off. Powerfull, ey! More, Lord!

Listen to this:
"Army people want no "entertainments". They gave up all that sort of thing when they gave God all their heart. And, if any of them were to become so changed for the worse as to desire anything of the hand, we trust the Army will never sink so low as to provide it.
We have a higher calling!
The Army will have no meetings which do not naturally conclude with a prayer-meeting and an invitation to penitent sinners to come out and seek the Lord. - The Army exists to save souls, and by saving them and using them to save others." Amen!

Anyone complaining to our 60-hour-weekly schedule? That's how an Army Sunday at one of the smallest stations in these days looked like:

7:00 am - prayer meeting
10:00-11:00 am - open air
11:00 am -12:30 pm - indoor meeting
2:00-3:00 pm - open-air
3:00-4:30 pm - indoor meeting
tea
prayer meeting till
6:00-7:00 pm - open-air
7:00-10:00 pm - indoor meeting

Bring it on, Lord!

lost and found

For the second time now in a couple of months I lost my bag somewhere, this time with my bible in it. It sucks. Having been living so much with my bible I really miss it.

I still have my German bible, but it's strange to read it, I can't find Scriptures that easily as I used to any more, which causes me trouble to hear God's voice through it.

Then, God gave me a thought, what might be the purpose of loosing my "sword": Since I'm going back to Germany in three months, this might serve to prepare me to be ready to fight with God's word again in my own language.

God: (Hebr.12:11) My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you.
It's less discipline, but God using everything for my best - even when it hurts!