Secrets of The Vine by Bruce Wilkinson

So many times I have seen myself in Peter, with his spontaneous reactions so full of self. But not as much as in the moment when he plunged into the waters of grace, the waters of selfless abandon, the waters of remarkable abundance! He had three days to be consumed in the hopelessness he felt, consumed in his shame of betrayal and consumed with the heartbreak and loss of his adored companion. So when Christ stood on the bank of the Galilee to display yet another example of what the abundance in Christ looks like, Peter knew His savior immediately and launched himself overboard into a future "as big as God's love". Can you imagine the elation he felt as he plunged beneath the cleansing water that day, emerging from an ocean of mercies!! This day brought about the revelation of the abundance that is the destiny of every believer. In John 15, we are able to see the face of the Vinedresser up close, as He "steps in to lift us away from our own destructive and unfruitful pursuits." We are able to see the seasons of fruit bearing in a new way, and it's purpose is greater abundance for His glory! In the end, "what remains in your grip is one passion, one goal, one unhindered opportunity: to bear more fruit". The goal is much fruit!!!

Right With God by Ron Mehl

Loving Instruction From the Father's Heart

This little book describes the Ten Commandments "as a love letter from the hand of God". As God tells his people that they will be a treasure to Him above all people and reminds them of how He bore them on eagle's wings, He presents them with the commands they should follow. His purpose in these commands weren't to be harsh, but He knew what would "provide blessing, strength, a future, and a hope". As Christians, we should love His commands because they are what keep us from disaster, because it is only in Him that we will find true satisfaction, and because it provides a foundation for our lives. This book will allow you to see and understand each commandment intimately.
  Deal bountifully with Your servant,
         That I may live and keep Your word.
  Open my eyes, that I may see
         Wondrous things from Your law.
  I am a stranger in the earth;
         Do not hide Your commandments from me.
  My soul breaks with longing
         For Your judgments at all times.
  You rebuke the proud—the cursed,
         Who stray from Your commandments.
  Remove from me reproach and contempt,
         For I have kept Your testimonies.
  Princes also sit and speak against me,
         But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
  Your testimonies also are my delight
         And my counselors.
Psalms 119:17-24

The Power of Crying Out by Bill Gothard

When Prayer Becomes Mighty

God longs to be there for us when we cry out to Him. He delights in showing Himself strong to us in the midst of impossible situations. When we come before Him in utter dependence with a life that is beyond our abilities, we find His overwhelming love.  The posture of a broken heart and soul before God captures His tender mercies, and He stoops down to be near to us when we are powerless. It is in this time He desires to give us His power, it is then that prayer becomes mighty.

 I Cry Out
Cries flow from my lips, to His ears like
a flood, 
Into His sanctuary, covered by Christ's
blood. 
Before a listening God, an outflow
of love,
Patiently I wait for Him, my redeemer
from above.
Stooping close to hear me, He hideth not
his face.
I quencheth not the Spirit, prompted by
His grace.
To all who call upon Him, the promise to
be near.
In my times of trouble, He answers "I
Am here".
Every sigh and gasp and whisper or in the
slightest groan,
Each cry of desperation falls before
His throne. 
In harmony it echoes, in mercy
intercedes,
The loving voice of Christ, appeals my
every need.
I find in Him delight, with brokenness
of soul,
For it's His greatest pleasure, His blessings
to bestow.
It's  not what my will would be, but only His
I pray.
For His purpose glorify, The life, The truth,
The way.

Amy Rainey
5/2010

Destiny and Deliverance

Spiritual Insights From The Life of Moses

Referring to the Dreamworks production of The Prince of Egypt with insights from authors: Philip Yancey, Max Lucado, John C. Maxwell, Jack Hayford, Joni Eareckson Tada, Tommy Barnett, Kenneth Boa, and Thelma Wells

As a Sovereign God, the cries of the Children of Israel, under the oppression of the Egyptians came at no surprise to Him.  At the time His children's voices rose to heaven and He saw their sorrows, His plan for deliverance was already eighty years in motion. From the basket in the bullrushes to the burning bush at the back of the desert, God in His grace was fashioning the Father of the Prophets for the destiny of deliverance.  The story of Moses reveals the heart of a God that refuses to leave His people in deserted places but desires to come to us at the point of our failures and show us forgiveness.  Moses' story "is a story of God's power showing up best and most beautifully through weak people".  For Moses knew well the wonders of becoming a vessel God could use despite his stubbornness. Moses was drawn to an irresistable God whose nature was just but merciful. Though Moses was only able to behold the Promised Land from the heights of Pisgah, on the Eastern shore of the Jordan, he believed his reward awaited him when he met the Lord face to face.  "Since then, no prophet has risen like Moses", yet he stood with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration, in the light of Heaven's Splendor!