Will
and Madeleine WalkerMinistry Centre Managers
The four men worked feverously in the hot sun, chipping away at the clay and stone on the roof. There was an air of desperation about them. Rather than attempt to go in the front door from which they were barred because of the crowds of people, they had a choice: remain paralyzed themselves or to step out. They chose to step out of their comfort zone, climb up on the roof garden of a stranger’s home, get a few shovels and start to dig.
Suddenly one of the men exclaimed, “We’re through, we’ve broken through.” And with debris falling onto the people below they widened the hole and lowered their friend to the feet of Jesus.
Against what seemed impossible odds, the four men enabled their friend to have his own breakthrough.
The story says that Jesus focused first not on the paralyzed man on the mat before him who had just jumped the ministry line, but he first looked up and focused on those four friends—on the paralyzed man’s community who had broken through the barrier -- their barrier. When Jesus saw them and perceived what breakthrough artists they were; He knew that their breakthrough had come because of their faith. As a result of their faith, their friend was healed.
Breakthroughs don’t come without a cost!
When Chuck Yeager landed his plane after becoming the first one to break through the sound barrier on October 14, 1947 the press rushed him and asked him what had impressed him the most about the experience. Yeager said, “What I discovered is that the cockpit shakes the hardest just before the breakthrough.” It’s in the moments before breakthrough that life often throws the worst at us, when we are most tempted to draw back, to get discouraged, to shrink back into our comfort zone, to allow the fear or circumstances to paralyze us. That’s when we need friends, a community of people who will believe with us, fight for us and support us until we all get our breakthrough. We need each other for our breakthroughs.
All of us know what it is like to be hemmed in from circumstances engineered by the enemy. David knew how that felt. In 2 Samuel 5:17-21 we read: “Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.”
The word Baal Perazim (v20) literally means the Master of Breakthroughs.
A quick look at David’s life can give us some further keys to see breakthroughs in our lives:
First, he was a man who walked in his anointing. (v.17) The enemy doesn’t like that and will throw every obstacle at us to destroy us. We need to be sure we do what we do under the anointing of God upon our life when going against the enemy.
Second, David knew his place of protection and stayed there. Verse 17: “… all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.” Our stronghold is Christ and we need to be diligent to abide in Him. Do you know how to live in that safe place?
Third, as David faced the impossible, he inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” (v.19) The sin of presumption and haste has brought the failure of many well meaning endeavors entered into by God’s people. Could it be that some of us have not seen our breakthroughs because “I did it my way?”
And fourthly, David knew that to defeat the enemy, to walk in freedom, he had to be obedient to what God said. “So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; ….. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.”
Are you looking for a breakthrough? Asking and discerning God’s will is just the first step. Doing His will is the step that brings the breakthrough. Too often breakthrough does not come even though it is just one step away, the step of obedience.
INVEST IN YOUR WORSHIP
Worship is a wonderful thing. NO really, it is! And I’m not just saying that because I happen to be involved with worship.
The beauty of worship is that it is unique, it’s personal, and it’s freeing, encouraging, and stimulating. It solidifies our emotions and gives expressions to our spirit. It breaks through for God’s reality. It enlarges our view while at the same time touches God. Worship moves our core and helps us to focus while at the same time opens up the heavens. It challenges our abilities, brings us closer to God; into His very presence. It lifts God up. Worship breaks through making a way for the Holy Spirit to move, it glorifies our Maker, and it magnifies the true reality of who He is!
Worship is what we are made to do. Never limit your worship; never put it in a box. All that we do as unto God is worship!
There are two things that I love doing:
1. To lead people into the presence of God. I don’t want to lead people in songs so that they can have a great time. I want people to have a life-changing experience as the atmosphere of God fills the room.
2. To help those who desire to lead worship; to give them tools that they can use to invest in their gifts.
I have been leading in worship for over 20 years now and currently lead 150+ sets a year. In all these years I have made a lot of mistakes! It is my joy to help others so that they don’t have to make those same mistakes!
On the weekend of March 6th we went to ‘Jesus First Assembly’ in Scarborough. They had asked me to come and spend the day with them to invest in their worship teams. So, I took Samuel and Storm with me for a day of sharing. The guys helped with worship and Samuel shared with the sound techs about the basics of sound. It was a joy to spend time with this great church and together explore the meaning of worship: To look at things afresh and make it practical. To build unity and dare to call things by name and see what God desires.
I love it when people / churches dare to invest in worship. We are all called to worship God, but we still limit Him and ourselves by not daring to invest in the gifts that He has given each of us.
So my call is simple: Dare to invest in your times of worship! It’s what you’re made to do!
Bart de Krijger
THE NECESSITY OF BREAKTHROUGH
Someone once said, “You’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got.” It’s true; often it is the end of ourselves or our circumstances that ignites the fire of a living faith. All great men in the Bible have experienced those dark days of when the only thing holding them together was their faith in God. David wandered for many years in caves pursued at every corner for his life. Daniel found himself trapped in a den of lions with no way out. Samson was blinded and put to work like a mule after betraying himself, his people, and God. Moses fled from his home as a murderer and became a stranger in a foreign land. Elijah became a wanted man after conquering the prophets of Baal. For the majority of his early life Joseph lived in bondage or in chains. Though each of these men have an incredible testimony of how God used them mightily to change a nation and more importantly themselves, it’s always wise to see the complete journey that each of them had to go through.
A quote that is often said here at Singing Waters is that in order for breakthrough to occur there must be something to break through. Though it would be great if everything was a continual upward progress of moving from glory to glory, the truth of the matter is that God’s vision of our growth can often resemble a rollercoaster ride more than a leisurely hike up a mountain. Why do we need breakthrough? Aren’t difficult moments the times when we become closer to our Father? The purity of gold is found in the refinement and the removal of dross in the heat of the flames. The end of the rope teaches us to hold on to God all the more tighter. Why should we even desire for breakthrough when it only draws us closer to Him? The truth is we need it; we need God to affirm His promises to us. We need Him to prove our faith in Him because sometimes we need that light at the end of the tunnel to hint that there is a way out. We want to see His promises come to life. Contending for breakthrough is the reality of Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” We are certain of what we hope for (God’s promise) and certain of what we cannot see (of His goodness; the operation of His plan unfolding in our lives). We want God to prove Himself in the face of doubters, to show His might, His glory, and His redemption. We don’t want the enemy to win because it is His Kingdom that will and shall prevail.
Breakthrough is the testing of our hearts. It is the path of intimacy, dependency, and blessing. I have a quote from Donald Miller that I wrote on my whiteboard. It reads, “There is no conflict man can endure that will not produce a blessing.” I’m still pondering the words, wrestling with how true it is but difficult to embrace. Hindsight is where we want to be, but God is gracious to allow us to experience His path towards the freedom we desire. The testimony isn’t about the end result, it’s about the journey. Why breakthrough? Because it changes us, it teaches us to contend, to trust, to hope, to have faith, and to love in the most difficult of circumstances. God is good and while we pray and wait for breakthrough we experience that goodness one day at a time. Breakthrough is the blooming of a flower in spring; it’s the opening of the cocoon for the butterfly to be released. When released they each reflect the glory of their Creator. Our glory is revealed in the light of breakthrough. It becomes our worship and praise to the God who holds us in the palm of His hands. We learn to trust, to contend, and to be obedient to His commands. His breakthrough in us becomes our glory for Him. Amen.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)
Samuel Jung
MONTH OF BREAKTHROUGH
The month of April proves to be a month, maybe “the” month of breakthrough in a year that many ministries are calling a year of the breakthrough. Here at Singing Waters for April we are having two weekends that are breakthrough themed (April 9 -11 & Breakthrough into Destiny April 23 – 25).
April is the month in which the Body of Christ remembers the most important breakthrough of all. It is this month right at the onset that globally Christians celebrate Christ’s breakthrough of death and the grave, setting us free of the law of sin and death. Opening up the way for us to know grace rather than being burdened by trying to meet up to what the law expects.
Also, would like to note that it is in this month that historically Canada saw a breakthrough that opened for us the recognition as an independent nation. Though it cost us, it was on April 12th, 1917 that Canada did what the allies couldn’t and we broke through the German lines at Vimy Ridge. An effort that saw our forces united in one tactical movement, that back home united one vast country into a nation.
Makes one think doesn’t it… what could the Body of Christ do for the Kingdom if we would unite as one fighting force. With Christ at the head, how much land can we take back from the enemy, how many enemy lines could we see breakthroughs in?
Jaosn Knox
BREAKTHROUGH OUT OF A COCOON FINALLY!
After years of struggling in and out of the same issues, I have finally discovered keys to breakthrough at Singing Waters.
Six years ago I left my country of Taiwan for Australia, trying to start my life all over. Even though I came to the Lord and was baptized at the age of 19, I had backslidden since I graduated from college and started working. Going to Australia was, in fact, a way to escape from my chaotic life in Taiwan. Yet as time went by, I found myself still trapped in recurring problems in the new environment. I asked myself why I could not learn the lessons well and wondered if I would ever overcome my issues.
With a prospective job, I often felt proud of myself in Australia. I found a great sense of fulfillment and achievement in a job that provided me wealth, power and status. As a result, I became a workaholic. At the same time, I enjoyed the natural environment and the life style very much. In March 2009, God spoke to me through circumstances that He would like me to leave behind six years of my seemingly successful life in Australia. In the next few months, He allowed me to experience weariness towards my life and feeling extremely burned out at work. After a few months of wrestling and struggling in tears, I finally agreed with God on wrapping up my life in Australia without knowing where to go to next.
Later, through my sister, I learned about the 9 week long Isaiah 61 Chinese School of Ministry at Singing Waters Ministries in Canada. It seemed that God desired me to first receive healing and to seek His will at Singing Waters. After packing up all my belongings in Australia, I came to receive Abba Father’s loving healing and sweet embrace for two months. To my amazement, two weeks before the school ended, God provided a way in which I could continue my walk with Him. Joseph and Faith invited me to join them as intern in the Chinese ministry department at Singing Waters. It has been such a favour from heaven! Although, deep inside I knew that it was God’s leading, I still responded with the initial excuse that I would need time to seek further confirmation. I think it was because I was not ready to totally give up the worldly desires and still enjoyed being in control. However, Abba’s hands of faithfulness and love continued ministering to me during the first month after I left the school. He spoke to me through people, dreams and circumstances so much that I really knew coming back to Singing Waters was the only door He had open for me. Therefore, I accepted the invitation and came back to the environment that seems familiar yet still strange to me.
Becoming a part of the staff at Singing Waters has been a tremendous challenge to me as one who has spent most of her life in the world. I once wondered if was because of my ignorance to step in, but I am sure it is the hands of our Heavenly Father continuously sustaining and leading me to such an environment that I am utterly a stranger to. On the first day when I came here, I seemed to sniff out some sense of loss and loneliness. I felt disoriented, insecure and helpless not knowing what I was capable of doing here. My previous work experience and skills didn’t seem useful here at all. All of a sudden, I found myself withdrawn and scared. Later, I discovered, it was Abba Father’s intention to lead me to be in touch with my most real yet long forgotten self in such a short time! Under the disguise, I was, in fact, an extremely weak, lonely, helpless person. As I struggled, I found myself wanting to escape and hide myself again. Yet, “where could I hide from His Spirit?” I asked myself. “Where could I run away from His face?” Then, He answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” I really had no other way to escape! I knew I could never run away from His palm. I had to give Him my heart completely and trust Him closely.
In the following weeks, God’s healing has filled me, every day during my time at work, in worship or in weekend Breakthrough courses. My heart has been so softened that is so ready to receive His Words. He seemed to say to me, “I led you here to mold you, love you, and bind up your wounds instead of inflicting you more. I will watch over you in every moment. Do not fear. I am your shadow of protection, your shelter and all your help. Trust in Me with all your heart. I will prepare the way in the desert and make straight in the wilderness a highway for you.”
God loves me so much and His presence has been so rich. My heart has melted in His Words of love and my tears streamed down like rivers overflowing. After a while, as I look back, I have found there is less fear in me now. I seem to be free from feeling hurt or inferior by others’ remarks. More importantly, God changed my interests and habits of life. My heart has grown more and more drawn to His nature and words. I have more desire to build up a more intimate relationship with Him instead of plunging myself into gossiping, watching TV, movies, or other entertainments. I just came to realize that Abba Father could be so real in me!
In hindsight, it is all by the grace of God that I could experience a tremendous transformation of life in such a short time; moving myself from a lifestyle of business and intensity in Australia to the present one of tranquility and peacefulness at Singing Waters, walking out of a glamorous life style in the world into a healing ministry for His kingdom. I believe, with the presence of Abba Father, my future journey of life will be filled with all kinds of surprises and hope.
Abigail Hsing
OUTREACH REPORT
Suzie and I enjoyed the weekend of March 13th and 14th in St. Catherines, Ontario. We stayed at a friend’s house and were invited to speak at Westview Community Church on Sunday. We spoke on identity and what it means to have your identity rooted in who you are and not what you do.
Also we shared what it means to walk into one’s destiny; explaining that God can give us a prophetic word through others. This in turn we then can use to start lining our lives up with that word whereas the old way of thinking was to put it on a shelf to see if it comes to pass. However, we believe if the word witnesses to you, start putting things in place so that God can begin to open the doors.
We were blessed to have some good friends come with us and along with three ladies from the church, we prophesied over all those who wanted a word. The service finished a little later than usual, at 2:30 pm, but no one seemed to mind waiting for their turn.
After all that we spent Sunday night ten minutes from Niagara Falls, thanks to all the friendly Canadian hospitality.
God bless you all,
With love,
Norman and Suzie Jarvie
The word conjures pictures of great triumphs and conquests. The tearing down of the Berlin Wall, the winning of the game in overtime or the rescue of a trapped child, these are the magnitude of events that come to mind when we hear the word Breakthrough. Yet, it is often in the everyday choices that eternal breakthrough comes.
The world offers a kaleidoscope of sound, color, and sights all competing to overwhelm our senses and manipulate our choices, but what does God say? “Be still and know that I am God”. It is the quiet of the day that He comes in gentleness to speak in a soothing voice that truly offers the freedom of choice. His voice does not compete nor manipulate, His voice persistently offers.
Empty promises, empty calories and empty emotional experiences create a jaded people who cannot find satisfaction or peace. Fulfilled promises, identity and destiny are the result of accepting the quiet gentle voice of the Spirit offering life and more abundantly.
So what is the breakthrough of this gentle voice? Breakthrough the hardness of our hearts, the dullness of our hearing, the blindness of our sight, and the vacuum of our hope and trust. God’s voice breathes life into barrenness and calls dreams into being without tearing and ripping the fabric of our soul. It is the stillness of God that breaks through the ploys of the enemy and the death surrounding our spirit and mind. This quiet voice is the deep breakthrough that will change lives and shape history.
Be still and receive your breakthrough.
Hazel Jones for Singing Waters Prayer Team.
THE FIREPLACE PROJECT
Every weekday the staff, as a team gets together for a short time in the fireside lounge for devotions to start the day off. Each day is led by a different staff member. A couple of weeks ago Jason had shared that instead of doing a New Year’s resolution that he would seek the Father for a scripture verse that He would have for him for the new year. As a result of that personal testimony we were challenged to each personally seek the Lord for the week. Naturally, the team members each has their own personal time with Father, but with this project we were to see what scripture verse the Spirit would give each of us in regards to Singing Waters. It was to see what sort of picture would be woven by the array of verses presented at this time.
The end result was a collection of scripture verses spanning the Bible, which were taped to the façade of the stone fireplace. As each one was presented to the group, the individual would share what they felt the Lord was saying. Slowly the mantle was covered with several scraps of paper that appeared to form a particular picture of what the Father’s heart is for this ministry. Just like the variety of stones with their differing shapes and colours that make up the structure of the fireplace, so too was the picture made by the collection of scriptures that we as a whole feel the Father is saying.
And so it is, that what we have received is very encouraging. The core of this ministry remains the same as this place is to be a gathering place for the nations to come to pray and worship the Lord, while at the same time it is a place of healing restoration in the Father’s love. Meanwhile there also came signs of hope, as Singing Waters has been seeing some tough times; some of the verses were promises of entering a new season of new life, new growth.
However, that’s not the end of it. Seeing the galvanizing results of this and how it really became a team involved project, even during the devotional time, we are emboldened to continue. To prayerfully seek the Father’s heart for us as a whole, one knit together unit, working for the glory of Him and His Kingdom come here on Earth now.
Amen!
