Anaesthetized by Grace
By Michael Q. Pink
December 22, 2009“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40
As I lay here in this crucible unable to leave if I wanted to, unwilling to move if I could, the heat of this trial permeates every cell and the constant hammering from every side, I can only trust is forming in me something of eternal value, preparing me for further temporal good.
As I look to the Scriptures for comfort, they have been surprisingly limited in their impact upon me. Either their refreshing quality is too quickly lapped up by the heat of the trial or something else is in the works. I believe it is the latter.
You see, so many of us have exalted the written Word above God, or at least we have substituted His Word for His presence. We can pick up the Bible anytime and lay hold of something wonderful He has said and that is good, but not the same as laying hold of Him.
The religious folk of Jesus day made that mistake. Jesus confronted their false belief that eternal life would somehow spring forth from their knowledge of the Word. It wasn’t knowing His Word that gave them eternal life, it was KNOWING HIM and they were not willing.
In this crisis, I have learned that Jesus wants me to find Him, to fellowship with Him, to draw strength from my relationship with Him and not substitute that high level of intimacy for written recordings of what He has said in the past, no matter how true or relevant.
You know what’s really strange about all this? I feel the heat, but don’t feel burned. I hear the hammering sound against my flesh as it lays on the anvil, but barely feel anything. I am it seems, anaesthetized by grace. And while I lay here, I can’t help but wonder what lays ahead. It’s going to be an awesome ride. I truly hope we can ride it together! (One way we can do that is through our coaching program. I hope many of you will consider getting connected with me in that way in 2010.)
By the way, check out www.BrendaPink.com for an awesome update today!
Love and blessings to you all,
Michael
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Comments (14) - Post a Comment
Yes.. Micheal.. however the Word became flesh.. and nothing is above that word Christ.. In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and theWord was God. ... In the beginning the Word already existed. when I spoke of the Word rightly dividing.. it is Christ.. the healer, the Shalom of God.. many years ago.. there was a Word the Lord gave.. that several of out church where going into the crucible.. that it would not be until the crucible was broken.. that we would see who we are in Christ.. our true nature and purpose In Christ.. I am standing with you Micheal.. like others.. we can only pray.. and seek the Lord ..lifting you into His presence..
Lyn Sorensen at 3:44pm EST - December 22, 2009
Passing on to you some Love from the Father.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmzuPLBot5QBelieving and believing. JJ
Judith Jordan at 3:48pm EST - December 22, 2009
Well said Michael. It's been awhile since I've read or commented. Felt compelled to today. . May God's presence be felt more clearly and intensly each and every day.
Larry Morris at 3:48pm EST - December 22, 2009
Your words are so true. You both are on the potters wheel, in the lions den and going through the fire. Jesus is with you, I thank God that you are finding comfort in His presence.
Deanna Carlisle at 4:29pm EST - December 22, 2009
Michael, I appreciate what you are going through but cannot fully empathize as my desert time was fashioned just for me even as yours is for you. Papa knows precisely what we need to answer the prayer he prayed through us to get us to this place where He led has us to be fashioned on the anvil of His love. Isn't it amazing how certain truths come so excruciatingly alive in these times. As the hammer rings loud and clear yet another truth of His word gets whispered into our ear by the Precious One, One who we know is with us but often find elusive at the same time.I often found myself in need of grace, and still do, for those which Jesus referred to here as they were some of my closest friends. I lovingly call them "Job's Friends." They have a wonderful knack of saying just the right things for all the wrong reasons. Even now I wonder if, along with John, these religious ones we seem to cast such a negative eye upon, were not some of those whom Jesus had the greatest compassion on? They were greatly gifted and versed in Biblical truth yet quite likely to miss the Holy Highway."...he who endures to the end..."
Daniel Symonds at 4:33pm EST - December 22, 2009
Praising and thanking God for bringing you to that beautiful place in your heart, where you can "celebrate in the middle of the fire because the Son of God is with you"..."go through longsuffering WITH JOY"..."glory in your tribulations"...and have peace in the middle of the storms of life! That IS grace! Great grace! What is also precious, is that you can hear His voice, and have found that incredible intimacy with our Lord Jesus that is available for all to have themselves; that sweet communion that comes after years of praying...seeking..asking...knocking...suffering...waiting...reading...changing. The Word has been made flesh in YOU, bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh. Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Christmas is IN you, Michael, and that spirit of love is expressed through your messages all year round. He will be your Comforter, and whisper words of wisdom, as you take that time to "be still and know that He is God." He will never leave you or forsake you, or Brenda, and we give Him thanks and praise for that. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you...and Brenda...raising you up to that place of His higher thoughts and ways. May that glory quicken Brenda's body with Life, allowing her to "live and not die and declare the works of the Lord." You are becoming broken bread to feed others who are hungry. Be blessed today, and remain in His Presence, where there is FULNESS OF JOY, which will be your strength in the days to come.
Donna Nefferdorf at 4:42pm EST - December 22, 2009
Thank you Michael. I have been saying this for a while, but no one has wanted to listen to me. Nothing substitutes for the Presence of His Spirit. He is our strength and our song. He is our Teacher of the scriptures. He is life. Love in Christ. Joy
joy claar at 4:47pm EST - December 22, 2009
Michael, I'd like to echo what Donna N. said about how awesome you are to be able to praise God in difficult times. Thank you for revealing more truth to me today.
Lucas at 6:31pm EST - December 22, 2009
I'm continually drawn to Him through your ordeal. I just told one of my friends, who asked how I was doing, that the only thing and mattered was initimacy with Him. The scripture about living and moving and having my being in Him, is taking on a new meaning. I so appreciate you and your wife, whom I have never met. I feel connected to the two of you, and you are on my heart throughout the day. I will continue to pray for you and talk often with our father about His desire for you two.Much love and blessing,Patrick
patricklpol@hotmail.com at 8:55pm EST - December 22, 2009
After growing up in the scriptures as the son of a minister, I spent nearly every day in the bible until my mid-twenties. I searched the scriptures looking for the nugget of gold that would soothe my soul and give me transforming peace where my desires for "worldly" things would go away. It wasn't until I removed myself from church, the bible and counseling to the quiet stillness of my thoughts, the wind in the trees, the sunrise in the morning and the setting of the sun in the evening and everything else that gave me the knowledge that God is present did I begin to really know him. He is here right now and intimately connected to your struggle and through your struggle others all over the world are witnessing what it means to be "real with God." When Jesus was alone and spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert, he didn't have the scriptures in written form with him. He had them in his mind and his heart. Once I came to know that "God is present" the scriptures began to come to my mind when I was in need or searching for comfort. They came to me when I was grateful, sad, lonely, afraid, hungry, impatient...and so did the church. All of the emotions and experiences we feel here on earth simply lead us to realize that He is what we are desperately searching for. The loved ones in our lives however are what we know today and the pain of seeing them suffer sends shockwaves through our foundations of life. "Be still and know that I am God." Easier said than done. Every moment is truly a gift, I only wish I could live my daily life with that knowledge. Blessings to you and Brenda.
David Bryan at 9:13pm EST - December 22, 2009
Dear Ones, You are in a good position to see the Glory of God. And I see that you are growing in His love and faith and word. My wife past in the year of 2000 AND i SET MY FACE TO SEEK AND TO KNOW hOW TO HELP OTHERS FACING THE crucible.The reveiled word through obediance and faith. Knowing Him as you said. Relationship with God. Crying day and night yet worshiping Him in all things. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Crying gets God's attention but singing and worship moves His hand. Job 1:20 sums it up . Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Order and a covering that your wife needs , You are her covering and she is to position her self humbly under it. Trusting her husband to intrerceed and cover her from the prayer clossit, And I see you doing it. Going into the throne room Of God. I see a marical in Jesus Christ in your seeking to hear and know Him. Selah and amen www.pastor1904vidilife.com
Richard Johnson at 10:12pm EST - December 22, 2009
There was a baseball bat waiting for me the day I was born. I have been in the fire ever since then. Asked Jesus into my heart at the age of 30. The hammering continues to this day and so I relate to the following: You know what’s really strange about all this? I feel the heat, but don’t feel burned. I hear the hammering sound against my flesh as it lays on the anvil, but barely feel anything. I am it seems, anaesthetized by grace.Some days I am so weary...but I go on to finish the raceI don't watch Christian TV anymore because they tell a story just the opposite of what I was born into. I feel like they say I am suppose to have nothing but blessing. Of course I am so blessed, because of having Jesus in my life. My experience is so different then what Christian TV talks about. All I have ever known is the fire.Phil 1:6 He who began a good work in you will complete itRomans 8:28 and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for themAmen...God Bless.....Isa 40:29 God would Michael and family strength that he mulitplies(amp)Romans 8:
Jerry Huber at 10:33am EST - December 23, 2009
Thank you for continuing to share the truth of your earthly sojourn. I cannot adequately convey the depths to which the Spirit has plumbed my heart releasing tears of sorrow and joy for you and Brenda. They are a consequence of your transparency in this season. Your testimony of faith will be a model for future generations. It is a privilege to call your names out to Father for His presence to envelope you as you await His promised healing. Our God, who exists outside of time, has sent it. Its arrival time as yet hidden but nonetheless assured. As the hymn goes, "What a day of rejoicing that will be". Peace be with you.
Clark Grey Howell at 4:15pm EST - December 23, 2009
Excellent word...only by His Spirit in us can we come to grasp what his past words written were realllly saying...more important now in our daily lives "Today" you shall know him in truth and spirit...His Spirit in you speaking Life may we find contentment being in His prescense and dealing with all the pressures around and in us that He allows that HIS victory becomes ours......my prayers by HIS SPIRIT for you and family......Bless YOU
Sturgeon Riley at 12:46pm EST - December 26, 2009