Brazil Visit #5, Post 6

Yesterday had a nice walk along the river in the center of the city. The recent rain has caused the river to flow higher but i don't know if the muddy yellow-brown color is normal. Last night I was given the opportunity to share with five home group leaders and my host pastor on the theme of depending on God. Read another chapter of Andrew Murray's book "Absolute Surrender," which focussed on the difference between independence from as opposed to dependence on God. Without total surrender we will not fully depend on God. I believe that our independence from God, rooted in sin, is the heart of pride. Prayer reflects dependence on God. We are saying that we cannot live the life that He requires on our own strength or abilities. Murray used the example of Peter prior to the Day of Pentecost as his example. Peter left all, followed Jesus, walked on water (for a little while) and was prominent among the apostles. Yet in the time of testing he denied Jesus three times. He was not yet fully surrendered to God. Denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily and following Jesus ( Luke 9:23) requires a constant reception of God's grace, power, anointing etc. Perhaps this is why we are to pray without ceasing. The men were receptive and we had a blessed time of prayer afterwards, both intense and fervent. It was a privilege for me to speak to them, and their patience was considerable as there was no translator. Afterwards my hostess had a made a very rich chocolate cake. She is a Proverbs 31 woman, always serving joyfully. One of the brothers showed me a picture on his phone of a white horse that he owns. The name of the horse. James Bond.