RHEMA 4/09/09 WE CAN DO nothing apart from him

HEARD:  Apart from Me, you can do nothing.

John 15:5 NKJV

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing .

SUFFERING ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD

1 Peter 4:19 NKJV

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

1 Peter 4:12-19 NKJV

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.   17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now  "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"   19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

QUOTE FROM MOVIE, MOTHER TERESA:  “I talked to Jesus to hear His voice.  I could never do what I do, if He didnt ask me to do it.  I know I am touching the living body of Christ in the broken bodies of the hungry and the suffering.  I dont take credit for my work.  All I have done is His will.  He said everything you do to one of the least of My brothers, you did it to Me.  I am only a pencil in the hands of God.  But it is He, He writes.” 

“When I speak to people about God’s love, about His Presence among the poor.  My words give courage and I smile.  But in my heart of hearts, I can not smile.  There is only darkness.  It is like a wave that washes over me, I cant go on any more.” 

{response from her friend}  “In your words is the suffering of Christ, everyone has a night of darkness to get through.  But in your actions, I see His love.”

{15 years later} 

“If my pain and my darkness consoles You, do what You want with Me my Lord Jesus.  If my separation from You puts others on Your heart, if their love brings You joy, then Jesus I gladly suffer that which I am suffering.  Your will is everything I desire....Now I know You have never abandoned me.  Everything we do is just a drop in the ocean.  But if we dont do it, that drop will be missing forever.” 

Matt 25:34-40 NKJV

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'  37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'  40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' 

Phil 1:20-26 NKJV

Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Phil 1:20-24 NLT

...that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die. 21 For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better. 23 I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, 24 but it is better for you that I live.

2 Cor 5:8  NKJV

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.