'RECEIVING"
I don't know how many of my readers are familiar with Kenneth E. Hagin and his teachings. He established Rhema Bible Teaching Center a number of years ago in Broken Arrow so his simple faith and teaching are well known here. He went to Heaven in 2003. Mickey & I were blessed to hear and see him on several occasions.
The main point of the chapter last night was "receiving" what God has made available to us.
As we were discussing this I brought up about how hard it is for us to receive, even in the natural. Since Mickey began The King's Kitchen and we contacted people, to begin receiving the hot meal we are delivering at noon every Tuesday, we were shocked to hear some comment that they didn't feel like they needed this or deserved it. It was hard for them to just accept, or "receive" this free gift that was being offered.
This morning I began thinking and meditating on our study last night and tying it back with the King's Kitchen and the reluctance of some to not want to "receive".
This truly is a manifestation in the natural of how we are in the spiritual. We all want to be, or at least appear to others to be, Oh so self-sufficient.
The basic core problem, as always, comes back to that "self", that "flesh", that wants to do it ourselves and not have to depend or rely on anyone else.....even GOD!!!!
That "self" that always falls into one of two ditches. The one: "I am so capable and able I don't need anyone or anything - even God". The other: "I'm so unworthy. I'm so nothing, no one can find me attractive or lovable or care about me...not even God."
I realized afresh and anew that we need to learn, and teach others to learn, that it truly is ALL about God. When we can and WILL get our eyes off ourselves and truly just put our eyes on HIM, He has already done it. It truly is "receiving"....whether that is Salvation, the Holy Spirit, Tongues, provision, walking in health, healing, the ability to accomplish and DO what He calls us to do!!!
The more I thought and meditated on this the plainer He made it to me. I just love the fact that our Lord is constantly teaching us, showing us, opening our "eyes" to see truth, and our "ears" to hear truth. I suddenly became consumed with now very much we need to truly learn to just "receive" from God. PERIOD.
I read this quote almost three years ago and I know I've shared it here before. “You are not self assured, you are God assured”. 7/27/07 – Francis Frangipane
When I saw that it had an impact on me and I've never forgotten it.When our assurance and confidence it totally on God, and on Him alone, we will be able to "receive" everything He has for us.
I don't know about you, but I know I want to walk in the entire fullness that God wants me to have and that my Jesus has purchased, with His precious blood, for me. I don't want to get to the end of my life and hear Him say, "Why didn't you trust me? Why didn't you believe my Word?"
"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:24b
13 comments:
O Susan, I can not begin to tell you how much this post has touched my heart. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
A good reminder that Pastor Hallam has always taught us when someone wants to give is..."Don't deny your brother/sister of a blessing." :) It's easier to receive when we know we are blessing them too!
Great post, Susan!
Bobbi
That really is true, like Bobbi said, you should not deny your brother or sister a blessing.
We listened to Kenneth Hagin, Jr. on tv last night, and it was very good. He was upset that many Pentecostal churches no longer welcome the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We have found this to be true, also.
I've heard that Kenneth Hagin is really good, but haven't heard him personally. I'm sure you'll learn a lot in this study.
It is usually much harder to receive than to be the one giving, like Bobbi said, it's good to remember that we are allowing someone else to be blessed!
That's a great quote about self assurance, Susan, and you are so right, if we continue to depend on self, we are done.
I had to giggle at your last scripture reference Marc 9:24b instead of Mark! Cute!
It's interesting to me how Satan either gets us, on the one hand to think we don't need Him--Pride-- yet on the other hand to think we don't deserve anything from the Lord, which can turn to false humility--or Pride. Pride either way!
Kenneth Hagen has spoken at our church many times years ago. You can't go wrong with his teaching!
I love what you shared and it's very appropriate for what I am learning with Beth Moore's new book right now!
I know you will be blessed with your group once again!
Susan, I think the thing that occured to me is also that we must receive - by faith. We receive the Holy Spirit the same way, as you said, we receive Salvation. Looking forward to hearing alot more.
Thank you once again for a very inspirational message.
I love coming here to read about everything the Lord has done in your life.
I was definitely an admirer of Pastor Hagin, Sr. If he was speaking anywhere in our area, I would go to see him speak in person. I was in awe of him. Hope that is normal, but I couldn't help it. I know I have bought every book he wrote that I could find....and shared them.
Your post will give me a lot to ponder on. I am one of those self-sufficient people. Since my mother died when I was very young, that is how I survived....lots to think about. Thank you, Susan
I think that American Christians have a hard time receiving when they are not able to ever return the gift.. sometimes it is just hard to humble yourself enough to receive.
I love you, Susan!
This is so so true. It is hard to recieve, even for us who are His own. It's uncomfortable sometimes, because it is hard to need Him sometimes. It's easy to want Him, but, it is hard to need Him and to realize you can not do anything of worth apart from Him. It's hard to face that sometimes, but it is for our own good and our growth. ~Blessings!
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