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Allowing the Lord’s Measurings to Increase the Flow of Life

“Then He measured a thousand cubits, and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be crossed.” (Ezek. 47:5)

“He who believes into Me, as the Scripture said, out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

In order to live the Christian life, we need to enjoy the flow of life out of the house of God. For the increase of the flow of life, we need to be measured by the Lord as the man of bronze (Ezek. 40:3). To measure is to examine, test, judge, and possess. The four measurings of a thousand cubits, which is a complete unit, indicate that as creatures, we need to be thoroughly measured by the Lord so that He may take over and thoroughly possess our entire being.

The more we allow the Lord to examine, test, and judge us to possess us, the deeper the flow becomes. The depth of the flow depends on how much we have been measured by the Lord. The more we are measured by the Lord, the more we are restricted and limited by the flowing of the grace of life until eventually we are lost in and carried along by the flowing Triune God as a river in which to swim. In one sense we lose all our freedom, but in another sense we are really free.

The river causes everything to live; the flow of the river produces trees, fish, and cattle. The river waters the dry, parched land and heals the death waters; this watering and healing are for the purpose of producing life. The river is unable to heal the swamps and marshes; a swamp or marsh is a neutral place, a halfway place, a place of compromise and lukewarmness (47:11). For the flow of life and for the church life, the Lord Jesus desires and requires absoluteness. By being absolute we will be in the flow, and the flow will not be a trickle but a river to swim in; then everything shall live wherever the river comes.

Our enjoyment of Christ as the flow of life is for us to be sowers, planters, waterers, begetters, feeders, and builders with the ministry of life for the marvelous organic building of God, the magnificent house of God. (The Christian Life, msg. 5, I, F-H.2; II).

Becoming God in His Function of Shepherding

“Shepherd the flock of God among you, overseeing not under compulsion but willingly, according to God.” (1 Pet. 5:2a)

According to God in 1 Peter 5:2 means that we live God; only those who live God can shepherd according to God. In order to shepherd according to God, we need to become God in life, nature, expression, and function.

We need to be filled to the brim with the divine life, enjoying the Triune God as the fountain, the spring, and the river to become a totality of the divine life, even to become the divine life itself. We need to become God in His attributes of love, light, righteousness, and holiness. We need to be the reproduction of Christ, the expression of God, so that in our shepherding we express God, not the self in its disposition and peculiarities. We need to become God in His function of shepherding the flock according to what He is and according to His goal in His economy. (SoCal Labor Day Conference, msg. 2, II.E, F, 1-4)

Pray for the saints to become God in life, nature, expression, and function (but not in the Godhead) so that they may shepherd others according to God.

UCLA Fresh Start and Follow-up

This week, we are spending much time together with the students in our UCLA corporate housing to get to know one another, be built up together, and be prepared to participate in the Lord’s move on the campus. Please pray that the Lord would give each student a new and strong beginning in the Lord and link them with companions that they can pursue with throughout this academic year.

Meanwhile, we are also burdened for the follow-up care of new contacts. Over the summer, we received nearly 400 names of incoming freshmen interested in further contact and fellowship with us. These ones will be moving into the dorms throughout this week. Please pray for many profitable face-to-face interactions with them, including our Lord’s Day morning meeting on campus this weekend.

Sacramento Meeting Hall

Update: The seller has extended the deadline to October 15 for the purchase price of $3.25 million to be fulfilled; once the 2.48-acre property is secured, there will be some retrofitting, upgrades and repairs estimated at around $1.2 million for a total cost of $4.45 million.

A detailed letter with a linked brochure of the property is at www.churchinsacramento.org. Saints in LA may participate in giving through the Church in LA designated for “Sacramento Meeting Hall.”

2024 Paris Olympics Gospel Trips Follow-up

The Bible distribution during the recent Olympic Games in Paris concluded on September 9. The Lord has done more than we could ask or think. Praise the Lord! We are now faced with an urgent need: to care for the ones we have contacted over the last five months. Please pray:

  • That a number of those who participated in the Torch Relay or Olympic Gospel Trips will have the echo of the Lord’s burden in their heart to return to France for one to three months to meet the urgent need for the continued shepherding of the dear new ones the Lord has put into our hands.
  • That all those who have applied to migrate and serve in France would get their visas approved in a timely manner so that a new Paris-based team could begin coordinating and serving by mid-October.
  • That many students, families, and mature saints would have open hearts to hear and respond to the Lord’s call to migrate within the next few years for the Lord’s interest in France.
  • That the Lord will raise up new lampstands in Rouen, Lille, Versailles, Mertzig (Luxembourg), Geneva (Switzerland), Marseilles, Toulouse, Caen, Nantes, and Montpellier.

All reports, as well as more information on migration, are posted at lme.org/reports.html. Saints in LA burdened to give may do so through the Church in Los Angeles designated for “Paris Olympics.”

Bangladesh

Over the summer, student protests turned into a nationwide anti-government movement. During this time saints mostly stayed at home and they occasionally would hear gunshots and explosions. In early August, the prime minister fled to India, the military took control, and a provisional government was announced, bringing an end to the protests.

Social order is gradually being restored. In Dhaka, the saints have resumed in-person bread-breaking meetings. However, the situation outside the capital remains difficult and chaotic, so the saints in these places have stayed online for corporate gatherings. The intercession of all the saints is needed:

  • For the restoration of social stability as soon as possible and for people’s hearts to be open to the gospel through the turbulence of the external environment.
  • For the saints to turn to the Lord and experience Him as peace in the midst of the situation.
  • For the new government, that regardless of the changing environment, everything would work to advance the Lord’s interest and the gospel.

For a detailed update with photos, see the September 2024 issue of the Lord’s Move to Asia newsletter:

Announcements

  1. Morning Revival: Week 5 of The Christian Life. After next week, starting September 30, we will pursue Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ (1) (from the July Semiannual Training).
  2. Wednesday Night Ministry Meeting: The ministry meeting continues this week starting at 7:25 pm.
  3. 2024 SCYP Parents & Serving Ones’ Fellowship: Saturday, September 28, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm in Fullerton. Translation provided. Registration due September 22 at scyp.com/fellowship.
  4. SCYP Junior High Conferences: October 11 to 13 in Diamond Bar (sisters) and Irvine (brothers). Registration deadline is September 29.
  5. Thanksgiving Conference: November 28 to December 1 in Atlanta, GA. Interested LA saints can get more information on hotel rates and RSVP at tinyurl.com/thanksgivingconfla.