memory of two Lents with a decade and half in between

There are those who have their own important dates fall into the Lent period. I am one of them. My conviction and conversion by the Holy Spirit was in Lent several decades ago. It was a time of both tears and joy, which words cannot express. Today I read and listened to the reading by Charles Finney on how he encountered the Holy Spirit on October 10, and remember how I too was miraculously transformed by the mercy and love of God.

I therefore borrow below excerpts of Finney’s rich account of his encounter with the supernatural God:

“There was no fire, and no light, in the room; nevertheless it appeared to me as if it were perfectly light. As I went in and shut the door after me, it seemed as if I met the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. It did not occur to me then, nor did it for some time afterward, that it was wholly a mental state. On the contrary it seemed to me that I saw him as I would see any other man. He said nothing, but looked at me in such a manner as to break me right down at his feet. I have always since regarded this as is most remarkable state of mind; for it seemed to me a reality, that he stood before me, and I fell down at his feet and poured out my soul to him. I wept aloud like a child, and made such confessions as I could with my choked utterance. It seemed to me that I bathed his feet with my tears; and yet I had no distinct impression that I touched him, that I recollect...

No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart. I wept aloud with joy and love; and I do not know but I should say, I literally bellowed out unutterable gushings of my heart. These waves came over me, and over me, and over me, one after the other, until I recollect I cried out, “I shall die if these wavers continue to pass over me.” I said, “Lord, I cannot bear any more;” yet I had no fear of death. . . .”

“In this state I was taught the doctrine of justification by faith, as a present experience.” ~Finney 

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What are some of the things participating Christians do? Fasting, praying, giving up some of their favorite activities/food or anything that they would otherwise enjoy. Please note that the actions do not give us merit. It is not a form of exchange with God for something we want. But it does benefit us in self-disciplined and an increase in awareness and sensitivity to the matters of God.

Some believers practice Lent as a family. Instead of focusing on an expectation of the excitement of hunting for Easter eggs, why not change our focus to looking at the Lord Jesus? In mission high school days, we had an event called, watch-night, to attend a Bible reading communion service on late Maundy Thursday night, to keep vigil and watch. The chapel remained opened throughout the night for those who chose to stay awake the whole night. Very few stayed. I did try to stay as late as possible to focus on the Lord. The memory of a few tiny persons in the empty chapel with the cool night air, alone sitting there, watching and waiting for something we did not understand then, is like a scene out of some movie. If I go back in time, would I do that again? I believe I would. Whilst I did not know Him, the Lord knew me even then.

The magnificent cathedral, the mission school boarding houses, and the weekly chapel duties, the class of 67. No one at that time would have thought of what we have each become today. Is this what the verse had meant, that whilst many were called few were chosen? Looking back, I cannot recall encountering God then. And yet, walking thus far, I now realize how close God has always been! He waited fifteen years to draw me back into His fold.

καί notes, 2023-03-07

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Lent is a Christian annual period that starts on Ash Wednesday February 22 (2023) and ends on Maundy Thursday, April 6th, for 40 days (not Including Sundays) representing the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. It is practiced by some Christians, fasting and praying during the 40-day period of Lent to honor and remember the suffering of Jesus in the weeks before His death and resurrection.

Here is a list of days which signify important events in this relation:

Important Dates of Lent in 2023:

Important Dates of Lent	Brief Overview of Significance	2023 Dates
Palm Sunday	Celebrates Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem	April 2, 2023
Holy Week	The week leading up to Easter	April 2 – April 8, 2023
Maundy Thursday	Commemorates the foot washing and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles	April 6, 2023
Good Friday	Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary	April 7, 2023
Holy Saturday	Commemorates Jesus’ body resting in the tomb	April 8, 2023
Easter Sunday	Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and his victory over sin and death.	April 9, 2023

a watershed! how to walk the next step in Christ?

spiritual watershed

The point is, the physical world is openly exposing itself as what it has become. The spiritual world too has revealed itself just as real but toward another direction. The two paths have now merged into a physical-spiritual watershed point. It has come to a point where the divide between the physical and the spiritual is growing into a chasm. No, this is not a premonition. This is not a prophecy. Rather, this is the passing of ancient prophecies.

Being put in Christ (in union and communion with Him), walking this earth, today a believer in Christ looks at the paths ahead and realizes that one cannot proceed further without taking stock of their current spiritual state.

This is how one takes stock of their personal spiritual state, in order to carry on in the two parallel worlds. The Bible verses are quoted from the New Matthew Bible (NMB).

Look at the spiritual: Who God is and who I really am

Know and acknowledge that God is always good: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.” It’s an absolute truth; there are no exceptions. God is always good. (James 1:17)

Who I am and what my purpose is for being here (on this planet), in particular, at this increasingly perilous time
“⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and his own special people, in order that you should show forth the virtues of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light –” (1 Peter 2:9)

What I am supposed to do next at the present scenario and in future:

This is a reminder to all who are serious about our life hereon and thereafter. It is all about stewardship of what we have been given. The people of God have resources. What do we do with our resources? Jesus said we need to be gentler than doves and yet wiser than serpents. Jesus also uses one last parable to describe a final set of criteria whereby the goats and sheep will be sorted into two categories, to each its end.

⁷ The end of all things is at hand. Be therefore discreet and sober, so that you may be fit for prayer. ⁸ But above all things, have fervent love among you. For love covers the multitude of sins. ⁹ Be ready to take one another into your homes, and that without grudging. ¹⁰ As each one has received the gift, minister the same to one another, as good ministers of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:7-10)

“The English word “sober” was translated from the Greek word “SOPHRONEO,” and this Greek word means “to be of sound mind, i.e. sane, (figuratively) moderate” (Strong’s Concordance). It is not just talking about not being drunk. The Amplified Bible renders this word “watch” as “alert.” So, true prayer will keep us alert unto what the Lord is doing.”

“The only way to maintain relationships is with fervent love, the kind that is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. The word “fervent” was translated from the Greek word ektenes. The other occurrence was in Acts 12:5, where “fervent” was translated “without ceasing.” So “fervent charity” in this verse may be interpreted as “charity without ceasing.” ”

Love, God’s kind of love, is a power. It is a supernatural power. It has worked on the cross two thousands of years ago. This is the Truth that Jesus has revealed and personally demonstrated. God’s kind of love is God’s kind of power. And all the apostles and early church disciples of Jesus knew this. (Read the New Testament and the early church history)

We are required to be “watchful” and “alert.” So, true prayer will keep us alert unto what the Lord is doing. For this purpose, the Lord has given us the spiritual abilities to see, hear, understand, discern and make the right choices/decisions at the right time.

Jesus actually spoke at length about the perilous time. I will not repeat here. Please read the related chapters in the Gospels and also the Book of Revelation.

What is the consolation for His people? I have been comforted and reassured of the goodness of God and the confident expectation of good for the people of God, in countless Bible verses. I pray you too as you read this blog and meditate on the verses the Lord will give you as you move on from your own watershed point to a point of the hope in Christ that all born again believers have.

HCSB Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. (1 Peter 5:10)

MSG Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we’ll hardly notice. We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)

AMP For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. (1 John 5:4)

¹⁷ And these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out devils, and will speak with new tongues, ¹⁸ and will kill serpents. And if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. They will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-18 NMB)

What is the next step for all who are the followers of Jesus and Bible believers?

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;” （Romans 4:20）Abraham had done this as our trail blazer. So can we.

This is how Jesus has prepared and fully equipped us: (1 Corinthians 2:9-16)

⁹ But as it is written: The eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for those who love him.

¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yea, the bottom of God’s secrets. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of a man which is within him? In the same way, the things of God are known by no man, but by the Spirit of God. ¹² And we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which comes of God, in order to know the things that are given to us by God –¹⁵ But he who is spiritual evaluates all things. Yet he himself is judged by no man. ¹⁶ For who knows the mind of the Lord, or who shall inform him? But we understand the mind of Christ.

We have the mind of Christ! (NKJV)

Application for all who believe: start practicing reading and mediating the Word of God, to know, understand and receive the wisdom of Christ and in Christ. Pray in the Spirit. Ask the Lord’s Spirit to speak to us and guide us specifically in every decision/direction. Be deliberate and be alert. Live as Jesus did and does now.

AMPC In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)

καί notes, 2022-08-29

25th day of November: take out treasure words old and new -Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving Matthew 11:25 & John 11:25

2021-11-25 Bible verses

Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving

Matthew 11:25-26 ²⁵ At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. ²⁶ Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

Ezekiel 11:24-25 ²⁴ Afterward the Spirit of God carried me back again to Babylonia, to the people in exile there. And so ended the vision of my visit to Jerusalem. ²⁵ And I told the exiles everything the Lord had shown me.

John 11:25-26 ²⁵ Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. ²⁶ Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

Hebrew 11:24-25 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. ²⁵ He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Exodus 11:1 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether.

Psalms 25:14 The secret [of the wise counsel] of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning.

Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

Philemon 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

kainotes, 2121-11-25

End Times watchman’s adventure: ONE WEEKEND MANY VISIONS!

Unless one is obedient follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, one cannot be a watchman.

The Lord said, do not use your flesh to discern. Use your spirit man, watchman!

Here is a list of recent spiritual events: On Saturday evening prayer meeting he was led in the spirit to take note of Haggai 2:21-22

“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: ‘I will shake heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots And those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, Every one by the sword of his brother.”The next day, during the Sunday morning worship meeting, the watchman saw a clear picture (vision) of an earth quake. On Monday he had to drive a close one down south to see an elderly couple. When reaching there, he saw a newspaper and noted the front page that a foreign country had just had a massive earthquake! Read on by clicking the following link:

https://kzlam36.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/visions-words-prosperity/

 

Then the righteous will shine like the sun

the righteous will shine like the sun

Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.
“The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’
“‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.
“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.
“‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”
Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.

“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

(Above quoted from the Holy Bible, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)