Mannabytes.com

     Have you ever seen a real bag lady? You know, a woman whose life has been so pain-filled that she ended up living on the streets, sleeping under a bridge and eating out of garbage cans. To see a woman in this state really breaks my heart - it is truly tragic.

     Imagine finding a young woman like that wearing filthy rags and smelling like the sewer. Now imagine choosing her to marry your son. That precious, adorable child you taught to love God and his neighbors, be kind to animals, obey his parents, and work hard. He’s the one all the women look at twice. When he walks into a room the atmosphere changes because of his humble, gentle attitude. At the same time he exudes authority with confidence. You’re so proud of the way he’s turned out and you really want to bless him. So you’ve chosen the bag lady to be his bride.

     What? The bag lady? Doesn’t sound right, does it. Yet that is exactly what God the Father did for His Son, Jesus. God spoke to us through the prophet Isaiah saying “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6, NIV). The Message is very descriptive, “We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags.” In the Lord’s eyes this is our spiritual state before we receive the forgiveness only Jesus can offer.

While We Were Still Sinners
     Not only are we unrighteous in our natural state, we are also powerless. Jesus proclaimed “without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NKJ) It was while all humanity was in this state of filthy rags and powerless to accomplish anything of true, eternal value that God sent His Son to pay the price for our sins so that we could be Jesus’ bride. That is kindness without measure! Who would do such a thing?

     The Creator of the universe is so loving, so good that He would choose to make us, who are as filthy as the the bag lady, His Son’s bride. Sadly, to most of us she is unacceptable, untouchable. Most write her off as hopeless. But not the Lord. It’s His joy to receive us in this unclean state and cleanse us Himself. Our righteousness comes from God alone (Romans 3:22-23) and in His incredible, magnificent love He gave His Son to suffer a horrible death so that we could be joined to Him in Holy matrimony for all eternity.

     Again, The Message explains it in easy to understand language: “The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.”

Amazing Love
     There is no love comparable to our Lord’s love for us. It is wonderful, amazing and we are transformed by it. He is so incredibly good. Who else would plan to give His only Son to suffer and die for those who are filthy in His sight? No one. There is no one like that anywhere except the true, living God. He is the God of unconditional, sacrificial love.

     And not only did He give us His best through the gift of Jesus, His Son, He also gave us His Holy Spirit to live inside us. (Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19) Wow! Our God has held nothing back from us. We were filthy and completely unworthy of Him yet He gave us abundant, eternal life and made us one with Him. He has given us His very best. The Lord truly is wonderful!

Recommended Reading: “Experiencing Father’s Embrace” by Jack Frost

Copyright 2007, Karen Williams, Mannabytes.com. All rights reserved.

     The foul stench in the air overwhelmed the prisoners as they were led through the damp, dark jail. Their wounds from the beating they had received burned with pain as the guards roughly pushed them to the floor and chained their feet in stocks. Their wrists bled from the chains that bound them. Many would have cursed the guards and blamed God while enduring such pain. But Paul and Silas began to sing hymns and praise the Lord.

     Suddenly the earth began to shake so violently that the prison doors were opened and the chains broke off every one of the prisoners. Seemingly this was their perfect opportunity to escape; but instead they they all stayed. The supernatural power of God was moving so mightily that none of the prisoners even attempted to flee. Paul was then able to share the gospel message with the jailer which resulted in not only his salvation and but also that of his entire household. (See Acts 16)

Dynamic Dynamite Is Ignited!
     Praise and worship release life-changing, supernatural power from the throne of God. Too often Christians underestimate what can happen if we will chose to praise the Lord rather than complain in the midst of our trials. Truthfully, it is easier to complain. To praise God while suffering either physically or emotionally takes a deliberate act of my will. When trials seem overwhelming or temptations are great my choice to praise and worship Jesus has set me free and released the victory.

     When the Israelites lifted up a shout on the seventh day of circling Jericho the massive, six foot thick walls* came crumbling down (Joshua 6). I truly believe this was a shout of praise to God. The Hebrew word used here can mean sound an alarm, shout for joy, make a joyful noise, or triumph. During the six days of required silence no one could voice a complaint or speak unbelief. (God knew what He was doing when He told them to shut their mouths!) This allowed faith to arise in the hearts of the men of war while they marched around the city following the priests and the ark of the Covenant. Finally, on the seventh day a victorious shout went forth like dynamite bringing down the towering fortress walls and sending terror into the hearts of the enemy. In both of these Biblical accounts and in others as well praise released God’s power and enabled His people to experience great victory.

Faith Is Strengthened
     Praise and worship greatly increase my faith. As I make proclamations about the Lord His truths encourage me. “God, You are so good. Jesus, You rule and You reign throughout the universe. All things are under Your feet and I am your body therefore all things are under my feet. You overcame the world and Your victory is mine because I belong to you. Lord, absolutely nothing is too difficult for You. You are the King of glory and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” I encourage you to try it. Begin to declare God’s great authority, His supernatural power, His goodness, His unfailing love and experience the power of faith arising in your soul.

     Also try singing love songs to Jesus. Worship Him with adoration and gratitude for what He did for you two thousand years ago. Choosing to praise and worship the Lord will enable you to take your focus off the seemingly insurmountable walls of your struggles. Instead you will be focusing on the King of Glory where you will find His supernatural strength and peace to overcome.

     There is even more power released when we take time to praise and worship the Lord alone. If we practice this on a daily basis then our inner man will be strengthened and we will be able to draw on these truths when trials come. Don’t wait for Sunday to seek the face of God. Do it today!

               “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the LORD!”

               (Psalm 150:6 NKJ)

Recommended Reading: Psalm 18:1-3; 24 all; 27 all; 34:1-9; 63:1-8; 103:1-8; 136; 138; 145; 148; 149; 150 and many others!

* For more information about the walls of Jericho go to answersingenesis.org

Picture courtesy of volcano.und.edu
Copyright 2007, Karen Williams, mannabytes.com. All rights reserved.

     The phone rang for the second time that cold December evening. Our guests were arriving for our annual family Christmas party when I picked up the receiver and heard “Baby’s coming now. You had better get here fast!” My son-in-laws anxious voice left no room for uncertainty. I grabbed my keys, said a quick goodbye to our guests, leaving my husband to entertain while I flew to the hospital in our sedan.

     While running up the path to the entrance I was grateful I knew exactly where to go. I had just been there less than thirty minutes prior to this visit. Shortly after I arrived the first time the nurse determined that it would be at least a couple of hours before the baby was born. Since we had guests coming I went home expecting to enjoy the party and then return to the maternity unit. I should have known better - this was our daughter’s third child. I entered the delivery room just as the baby was popping her little head out!

    Madison was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. She wasn’t breathing and her skin was purple so the nurses and medical technicians worked fast, whisking her away while we prayed. Finally they returned bringing our beautiful little bundle of love. We all were so grateful for God’s quick answer to our urgent pleas. Today Madison is a 10 year old, healthy, intelligent, playful, loving child. And just like the rest of our children and grandchildren she is a very important part of our family.

     You are Abba Father’s precious child. He created you for love; to be His child of joy. As the perfect Father He purposed to have children to enjoy helping them learn and mature. (Romans 8:13-17 and Galatians 4:6-7)  I believe He also loves to just hang out with His kids like a dad enjoys taking the family camping, or playing catch. God is not stiff and distant as so many believe.  Abba truly is the best Father, perfect in every way.

We Must Come As Little Children 

     Our God is inviting His children to draw near to Him, to actually sit on His lap. Maybe that sounds a little strange to you. Yet for more than a decade now God has been powerfully drawing His children near to Him. We are living in an incredible season where Christians are experiencing a great outpouring of God’s love like never before. The Heavens have opened and Abba Father is looking for “children” who love to hang out with their Daddy God.

     I remember the first time I sat on His lap. In 1997 while soaking I began to see myself as a little child. My own childhood had been difficult; my father was an alcoholic and it brought a lot of anxiety into our home. I was surprised when I saw myself as a small child in visions so Holy Spirit reminded me that we must come to the Lord as little children. (See Matthew 11:25 and 18:3.) Then over the next two years I frequently saw myself as a three year old with Abba in visions. He was very tall so I would tug on His pants and then run. Abba often chased after me and when He caught me He would give me a big hug and hold me on His lap for a while.

     While sitting there I would sometimes tickle His beard or give Him a kiss on the cheek. l always felt safe and very loved by Abba. I sensed He was enjoying our time together as He made me feel wanted and important. These visions brought deep healing to my wounded heart.

God Is Not Limited 

    When this was new to me I wondered if these visions were really from the Lord. Holy Spirit reminded me that God is not limited by space or time. He can come to us in visions (common in both the Old and New Testaments) and show us His reality if we will receive it.

     Try soaking. Put on some mellow worship, get comfortable and let Holy Spirit minister to you. I encourage you to invite Abba Father to come. Ask Him to meet with you and let Him surprise you with His creative love.

     If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to read my article “Marinating” in the Soaking category. And if you have not made a personal decision to know the Lord Jesus Christ then please read Knowing Jesus 101 in the Evangelism category.

Recommended reading:  “Father” by Geri Keller  and “Experiencing Father’s Embrace” by Jack Frost

Copyright 2007, Karen Williams, mannabytes.com. All rights reserved.

               Destined to die a martyr at Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp, Maximilian Kolbe freely gave his life so the father of young children could live.  He truly demonstrated the love of Jesus Christ through both his life and death. 

       Kolbe was born in 1894 into a poor, but hard-working Polish family.  His father, Julius Kolbe, enlisted in Pilsudski’s army to fight for Polish independence from Russia.  But in 1914 his father was hanged by the Russians as a traitor.  Through him Maximilian learned to live and die for what he believed.

     At the young age of twelve he chose to follow Christ and committed himself to a life of purity and martyrdom.  While in his mid-twenties Maximilian  battled with tuberculosis which resulted in frail health the remainder of his life.  Yet Kolbe did not let that keep him from fulfilling God’s plan for him.

     Although he had a variety of educational interests he chose to enter full-time ministry as a priest.  During his years in ministry he served as a missionary in Japan and India. 

     After returning to Warsaw he started a seminary and began a magazine publication which printed 750,000 copies a month during its peak.  In 1935 Maximilian then started a daily religious newspaper that circulated 137,000 daily and 225,000 on Sundays.

Imprisoned 

     Kolbe was arrested in September 1939 and imprisoned for over three months by the Nazis after their invasion of Poland.  However, fear had no hold on him and imprisonment did not intimidate him.  When released he housed approximately 3,000 people - 2,000 of them were Jewish refugees!  He also continued to publish religious materials which resulted in his second arrest by the Nazi’s in February 1941. 

     In May of that same year Kolbe was transferred to the Auschwitz concentration camp.  There he was often beat viciously by the guards.  One day after Maximilian endured a severe beating the guards lashed him and then left him to die.  He survived only because a few prisoners smuggled him to the camp hospital for treatment.

The Ultimate Sacrifice 

     Just weeks after his recovery a prisoner escaped from Auschwitz.  The Nazi’s had established the rule that for every prisoner that escaped, ten men would die as retribution.  One young man, Francis Gajowniczek, who was selected to die had a wife and small children.  Kolbe volunteered to take his place saying “I am a priest.  I wish to die for that man.”  The guard decided he could use the services of the younger, stronger man so he agreed to the exchange. 

     Kolbe and nine other men were placed in a cell and left to starve to death.  After two weeks only four of the ten men were still alive.  On August 14, 1941 the guards injected Kolbe and the other three men with lethal carbolic acid because they wanted the cell space. 

     Maximilian Kolbe’s life and death demonstrated the power of Christ’s words, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

Recommended Reading:   Maximilian Kolbe  There are several books listed here you may find interesting.

Scripture reference: John 15:13, NIV

Picture from Kolbenet.com

Copyright 2007 by Karen Williams, mannabytes.com.  All rights reserved.