some observation on Rest

Realized I hadn't updated this blog for about 4 months?! As this semester comes to a close, it's been tough as usual. Getting good grades for Japanese seems to be hard for me. I guess this journey has been one of knowing myself better...that i am not really a "language" person. May the Holy Spirit give me the ability to speak. Amen.

In this season of nothingness, God has been helping me to see that the preparation of a minister lies not only on the outside but inside of a person. Getting an education may be important, but only by being in the wilderness will the "inside" of a minister be shaped or forged. The wilderness is a place of waiting, where nothing appeals to the flesh, where there is no recognition from men. God prepared men like Joseph, Moses, John the Baptist, Lord Jesus himself, in the wilderness. May my inner being be forged by God in this season of life, that I may become even Christ-like. It seems that God is more interested in making us "usable" (as servants) rather than what we can do for Him with our human efforts.

At the same time while Pastor Daniel is preaching about Son-ship during this period of time, I am reading John Sung's Hidden Manna. It has been an amazing time reading this book in CHINESE! Seriously I can't believe I am reading a Chinese book. Besides being amazed that I am reading Chinese, I am witnessing Hebrews 11:4. "...And by faith he still speaks, though he is dead." There has been countless of time when my faith was leaking, I would read and find the short chapters speaking into my situation! John Sung's Hidden Manna was written while he communed with the Lord many years ago. That was when he was ill and could only spend time praying and searching scriptures. Everything that the Lord revealed to him during that time of prayer and study was written down into "Hidden Manna". Indeed, the faith of this man speaks even till today. Really recommend it for our generation.

An observation made by John Sung on the Dove & Raven during days of Noah in the ark led me to make some observation on Rest. Below are some of my observations from Scriptures:

1. God made the world in 6 days. The seventh day He rested.

2. In OT, the Sabbath is the day of rest which mustn't be violated.

3. The way of the Spirit is rest: the dove Noah sent knew rest. It returned when the only resting place was the ark. The Holy Spirit rest upons. (taken from Hidden Manna)

4. Only the raven kept flying to n fro without resting.

5. The Holy Spirt , like a dove rested upon Jesus, the Son of God!

6. Romans 8, says the sons of God are all led by the Spirit of God!

7. The Holy Spirit rests... Only upon the sons of God!

8. Prayer is the foundation to my identity as a son to my Heavenly Father. Luke 11.

9. Prayer is about Father and Son relationship. Like Jesus and the Father.

10. In prayer my posture must be as a son (Luke 11:2 begins "Our Father who is in heaven..."), thus prayer is essential for me to enter His's rest. By being a son, the holy spirit rests upon me!

11. Walk as His beloved son and the Holy Spirit will surely rest upon me!