Month: January 2017

THE INCREDIBLE CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY…


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2 Peter 1:1-11 – “Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”  NASU

 

Each time I read this passage the thought of the “Incredible Christian Promise” comes to mind.  The apostle Peter, often a rash and even brash man had a heart so tender and in total contrast to his physical presence, that reality is amazing and inspiring.  This salutation regarding Christian virtue is powerful and worthy of examination.  He identifies his audience as ‘fellow believers’ and prayed for the multiplication of God’s Grace and Peace to them.  He then reminded them that, in Christ, the Divine Power of God had opened the door to everything pertaining to life and godliness.  He reminds them that, as believers, they are partakers of the Precious and Magnificent Promises of God.  He then details some of those promises and provisions or benefits of being a Christian.

That Grace enabled them to become partakers of the ‘divine nature’ and enabled them to escape the corruption of the world that is facilitated by lust.  If you only understand lust as being sexual you miss the message.  If you understand that lust is, by definition, a longing for something especially that which is forbidden you move toward the light powerfully.  He then implores them to take definitive action in their lives by applying diligence in faith and yearn for and reach for ‘moral excellence’ or ‘virtue.’  Moral excellence will produce godly knowledge and that knowledge inspires ‘self-control’ and ‘perseverance.’  Perseverance will in turn produce ‘godliness’ and through that pathway comes ‘brotherly kindness’ and the fruit of that is LOVE!

How long has it been since you paused to deeply consider what has been granted you in SALVATION?  Heaven is a phenomenal prize and worthy of pursuit but there is so much more afforded us that applies to the HERE and NOW!  He has come and called us to Him!  As we respond to His call to Salvation let us then move into His purpose for our lives and through His LOVE fulfill our assignment here on earth with JOY!  We do not have to live under the torment of the devil and the almost unbearable pull of temptation for we have partaken of His divine nature and IN CHRIST we are FREE!

            God, bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

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WAITING IS SO VERY HARD… [Part Three]


 

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Text:  Psalm 62:1-8; Isaiah 40:31

             We are to WAIT for God to direct our steps. We are to TRUST God to provide our needs.  We are to WAIT silently in silence.  Those steps are powerful and needed but there is more so I ask you to continue our pursuit for guidance and learn to WAIT on God.

WAIT IN STABLE CONFIDENCE.

“He is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense (stronghold); I shall not be greatly moved.”  [v.2].   There is stability in Trusting the Lord.  We can wait on Him in quite confidence and the knowledge that HE NEVER FAILS.

Isaiah 40:31 tells us that “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.”  In this instance, WAIT means to “twist or stretch in order to become strong.”  In the noun form, it means “a line” or “a rope.”  The idea is of stretching or twisting strands of hemp so that, in the process, it gains far greater strength.  This is where we trade our weakness for His strength.  I take my little strand, like that of a spider’s web and wrap it around the steel cable of His strength.  This is accomplished in the WAITING PROCESS and there my strand is as strong as His character.  I exchange my weakness for His strength.  His strength gives way in the Heat of Battle and it always holds firm.

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In WAITING on the LORD, there are three specific things that transpire.  We will mount up with wings as eagles.  We will run and not get tired.  We will walk and not become weary.  The Hebrew meaning is: “They will sprout wings like eagles.”  There is a place in God where we can soar above the problems and cares of this life.  Also, we can run the race set before us and no longer drag an anchor.  We can walk through the normal routine of life and not grow weary or faint.  WHY?  Because we are WAITING.  We are not going in our own strength but His and God NEVER gets tired.

The Benefit of this is powerful and quite simple.  We are to wait because:

  • He is our ONLY Deliverer – – He is our salvation (v.1).
  • He is our ONLY Security – – He is our stronghold (v.2)
  • He is our ONLY Hope – – Our hope is from Him (v.5)
  • He is our Glory – – On God, my Salvation and my glory rests (v.7)
  • He is our ONLY refuge – – My refuge is in God only (v.7) 

That is the theme…  It is ONLY GOD!  He and He alone is our source, strength, hope, deliverer, refuge, and hope.  He is our Provision.  So WHY DO WE WAIT?  Because without Him, we do not have deliverance.  We do not have Security, Hope, Glory, or Refuge.  Without Him WE ARE HELPLESS.

Waiting involves TRUSTING.  Waiting includes PRAYING.  Waiting implies RESTING.  I can assure you that God will keep His word if you are willing to wait!  Perseverance is a key!  We grow and learn, not when things come to us instantly, but when we are forced to wait.  It is in the times of waiting that God tempers and seasons us mellowing and maturing us.  He readies us for His service and call.

The Phillips translation of James 1:2-4 reads, “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!  Realize that they come to test your faith and produce in you the quality of endurance.  But let the process go on until the endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.”  We need to change American’s Prayer to the Christian’s Prayer: “Lord, make me mature and I am willing to wait on You.”

If you would have patience you must learn trust!  You must practice self-control and have enough confidence in Jehovah God that you will AWAIT His direction regardless.  Patience is not a gift He will drop in our hearts it is a virtue that is developed through application of the principles and truths of His word.  We must Love Him completely.  We must Trust Him implicitly and we must Learn to wait!

God, bless you as you move forward in your journey and learn to WAIT! 

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WAITING IS SO VERY HARD… [Part Two]


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Text:  Psalm 62:1-8; Isaiah 40:31

We are talking about patience and how difficult it is for us to wait.  Let me offer something I believe can be encouraging found in Psalm 62.  We find a simple outline to guide our thinking with regard to “Victorious Waiting”.  The truth is that we do not need lengthy teaching on the art of waiting, we need long practice times of waiting!  Most of us know about waiting, what we need to do is WAIT.  Consider the help with me if you will.

Psalm 62:1 – “My soul waits in silence for God only.”  The literal Hebrew reads almost backward from the English translation.  It reads: “Only for God in silence does my soul wait.”  The word translated SILENCE comes from the Hebrew verb meaning “to whisper softly.”  It is the idea of whispering a secret to someone you love but not loud enough for anyone else to hear.  In this case, it is only for God to hear.  The word “ONLY” appears six times in this Psalm and I believe that tells us that for David, there is no one else but the LORD.  I ask that you consider the following:

  • WAIT FOR GOD TO DIRECT YOUR STEPS.

“My soul waits in silence for God only.”  Do not run ahead – WAIT.  A red light means WAIT and watch carefully.  You cannot run and wait at the same time.  The ability and strength to run spiritually comes after and through waiting.  I suggest you call to remembrance the story in the Old Testament where Joab called Cushi and told him to run to King David with the news about Absalom.  Ahimaz begged to run, but he had no message.  God instructed Moses while standing at the Red Sea with the armies of Egypt hot on their trails to STAND STILL & SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD!

Verse one is David’s declaration and verse five is his command: “My soul, wait in silence for God only.”  It is well to note that David was talking to himself. He was directing his will.  He was instructing his inner man to “Wait for God to direct his steps.”  That is not easy when we are anxious to run.  Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and know Me.”  We need to learn to hear and know the voice of the Spirit of God.

  • TRUST GO TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR NEEDS.

“From Him is my salvation.”  This is a continuation of verse one.  In verse two we read, “He only is my Rock.”  This directive is simple.  We are to WAIT ON HIM.  We are to TRUST HIM to provide for our needs.  The only question is “How Are or How Do We Do That?”

I believe that if you have been around Church for any length of time you have heard the instruction, “Wait for God.”  I can teach, but I cannot learn you anything.  God has to help you LEARN and that frequently requires WAITING.  Some things are only learned through experience.  Consider God’s Record – HE WILL NOT FAIL.  He is El-Shaddai, the God of plenty and the God who NEVER FAILS.  We can and must trust Him and He will, in due season, come through.  We cannot afford to become impatient or faint in the process.  When we wait on God to direct our steps – HE DOES.  When we trust God to meet our needs – HE WILL.

  • WAIT SILENTLY, IN STILLNESS.

“My soul waits in silence” (v.1).  “My soul, wait in silence.” (v.5).  The songwriter said: “Speak, Lord, in the stillness, while I wait on thee; Hushed my heart to listen, in expectancy.”

I have found that some of my best prayer times are virtually Wordless Times.  Those are times when I stop speaking, close my eyes, and meditate upon what I have been reading or saying, and LISTEN deep inside.  I listen deeply.  I listen for reproof and guidance.  I LISTEN FOR HIM and TO HIM!  It is here that the Holy Spirit takes over and directs our hearts.  It is here that the Holy Spirit gives directions.  It would be good for each of us to take time and read Revelation 2:1-7.  It is a letter that the Lord Jesus dictated to the Church at Ephesus.  On the surface, everything appeared to be wonderful, but something was missing!  Something went wrong!  They had left their first love! They were orthodox and predictable, solid to the core, standing staunchly for truth, BUT, they had lost the fire of their first love.

This was so significant that Jesus informed them that UNLESS they returned He would remove their lampstand from its place and take their light away.  They would be nothing more than an empty shell with a sign out front but no life inside.

I want to address this a bit more so we will pause here and pick up next time and look further at the encouragement and guidance found in this Psalm.  God, bless you and guide you as you take the next step in your journey in Him.

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WAITING IS SO VERY HARD…


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Psalm 62:1-8 – “My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. 3 How long will you assail a man, that you may murder him, all of you, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?  4 They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; they delight in falsehood; they bless with their mouth, but inwardly they curse. Selah. 5 My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.”  NASU

Isaiah 40:28-31 – “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”  NASU

 

I have become fully convinced that Americans are among the world’s most impatient people!  We do not wait well.  We want everything yesterday and waiting is a most difficult requirement for many if not most people.  It seems that we fit the prayer ascribed to Americans: “Lord, give me patience…And I want it right now!”  It is very difficult for a country that exists on frozen dinners, instant potatoes, powdered orange juice, packed cake mixes, lighting fast computers, and freeway express lanes to teach it’s young to wait.  Time waits for no man and most of us believe we are time and should not have to wait.

If the truth were known, many would rather do the wrong thing than wait.  WE HATE WAITING!  I have found that waiting is the rule rather than the exception in life.  The exception is the Open Door and when you have one – GO!  But waiting, when the door is closed does not mean you are out of the will of God.  It just might mean that you are in the center of His will while waiting.  We face more Red (stop lights) and Yellow (caution lights) than we do Green (go lights).  We are frequently faced with WAIT-WAIT-WAIT.  We need to discover the truth and revelation that WAITING ON GOD is resting rather than worrying!  You can many things in life and we sometimes attempt to fake it while waiting.  We appear on the surface as being patient but we are torn up inside.  We put on our plastic front that suggests peace but there is no peace inside.

Let me share a very old illustration that most have probably heard that has helped me understand.  It was a story about some American soldiers during the Korean war.  They had rented a house and hired a local boy to do their housekeeping and cooking.  That seems to have been a common happening during the Korean war.  The Korean man they hired had an unbelievable positive attitude.  He was always smiling.  The soldiers began to play tricks on him.  The nailed his shoes to the floor and the next morning he would get up, pull the nails out of his shoes and maintain his excellent attitude.  Then they put grease on the stove handles, and he simply wiped it off and kept smiling and singing.  They balanced buckets of water over the door to soak him when he walked through.  He simply dried off and kept smiling never complaining.  Finally, they began to feel guilty and called him in and said, “We want you to know that we know that we are never going to trick you again.  Your attitude has been amazing and outstanding.”  He smiled and asked, “You mean no more nail in shoes?”  They said, “No more!”  He asked, “You mean no more sticky on stove handles?”  They said, “No more!”  He said, “You mean no more water over door?” They said, “No more!”  He smiled and said, “Okay, then no more spit in soup.”  I know that is a bit gross but it reflects what I’m saying that what you see on the outside may not be what is happening inside.

Genuine patience is something that is acquired through learning to fully and completely trust!  Genuine patience enables us to enjoy TRUE PEACE at all times!  The question for each of us is, “Do we Trust and can we wait?”   There is more that I feel compelled to share on this but for now, we will pause and pick up here next time.

God, bless you as you learn to wait!

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SPIRITUAL FOCUS…


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Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  NASU

 

This is an often quoted passage familiar to virtually everyone in Christendom.  I read it like I read Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God…”  Here the first words are an injunction with promise but imperative if we are going to truly be and receive all God desires for us.  “BUT SEEK FIRST…”  What are we enjoined to do?  Seek.  When are we to seek?  First.  What are we to seek?  God, His Kingdom, and Righteousness.  That is simple, right?  But, in reality, it is frequently not the ‘first practice’ of believers.

How many times have you waited until you were desperate to SEEK HIM?  Probably more often than you or I truly want to admit.  Sometimes we declare that we are SEEKING HIM when we are ‘seeking answers’ not necessarily HIM, His Kingdom, or His Righteousness.  We have a problem or need and we desire an answer.  Our prayers are often ‘self-centered’ and ‘self-serving’ rather than SEEKING HIM.  Too often, I have failed in this, even knowing that HE IS THE ANSWER and if I FIND HIM, I also find the answer to my question, plight, problem, or need.  The solution is not necessarily in me getting something externally but developing a relationship with Him and the IN HIM, I am able to live and move and have my being.

I would never suggest we omit the last part of the verse for it is very important.  God says, that if we SEEK FIRST His Kingdom and His Righteousness, in that hungering and thirsting, what we need is added or granted to us.  I asked the question on social media some time back, “HOW PASSIONATE ARE WE FOR GOD?”  That was not a question of condemnation or judgment but a quickening of the Holy Spirit to my own heart.  What is our passion level?  How earnestly are we SEEKING HIM?  How desperately are we SEEKING HIM?  How important is it to us to FIND HIM, His kingdom, and righteousness?  How important is His Presence in our lives and our daily dealings?  I am reminded of Israel, in the wilderness, and their rebellion.  God said to Moses in Exodus 33, “…Depart, go up from here, you and the people you have brought up from the land of Egypt, to the of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘ To your descendants I will give it.’ 2 “I will send an angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. 3 “Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.”  Picture in your mind, God speaking to Moses and saying, “I’m done with you and this people.”

When Moses relayed the words of God to the people they went into mourning.  Then, God comes back to Moses and warned them that were He to come into their midst He would destroy them because of their obstinance.  Moses was moved so deeply he engaged in intercession for the people and rehearsed their journey to God.  He finally declared in (v.15), “…if Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here…”  Simply, Moses said, “God if your presence, your person does not go with us, leave us here to die.”  That is passion for God and desperation for Him.  God said, “My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest.” 

In today’s world, we can easily become sidetracked and distracted with the affairs of life from the social, economic, relational, to the political and fail to SEEK FIRST that which is most important.  I do not suggest we leave the others unattended but that the PASSION OF OUR HEARTS and the FIRST SEEKING of our hearts is GOD.  Lord, help us to be consumed with PASSION FOR YOU!   I desire that in my own life and pray for it in the lives of all to whom I now speak.  Send the Fire of Your Spirit and stir up in us a desire that burns white-hot for You!

May the Lord kindle your passion, guard your hearts and guide your steps today and each day of your earthly journey.  BLESSINGS!

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WE ARE NOT FORSAKEN…


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Hebrews 13:5-6 – “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ” I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” 6 so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”  NASU

 

I am confident you have seen this as your read the words, “I will not leave or desert you, nor forsake you.”   The Promise of our Lord that we would never be abandoned, forgotten, or forsaken resonates so deeply in my heart and brings incredible comfort and confidence in my daily walk.  Many of us have felt so alone that we felt forsaken, forgotten, and abandoned and could not sense the presence of the LORD and our prayers seemed as though they never rose above our heads.  That aloneness is painful!  Sadly, many are in that condition and their desperation is pushing them to the brink of despair where they are gasping for hope and weary of life.  They have been abandoned by people and the sense of rejection is burying them in depression.  That is not the desire or provision of God and if we can somehow break through those dark clouds of abandonment the ray of hope can shine through and bring us into the light.

The Promise is that Jesus will NEVER LEAVE us.  His presence will be with us and is with us even when we cannot feel or sense His presence.  As David said in Psalm 139 there was no place he could go and the presence of God not be there.  In 2 Chronicles 16:9 we find the revelation that the eyes of the LORD search the entire earth and HE SEES.  In battle, the physical presence of your support is comforting and vital to your survival and victory.  Our LORD, promises that He will NEVER leave us.

The Promise is also that He will not FORSAKE us.  That indicates His emotional involvement in our situation.  He will not turn His back on us and as Hebrews reveals to us that He is ‘touched’ by the feeling of our infirmities.  He feels our pain as well as our joy.  He feels our desperation as well as our confidence.  He feels the cries of our hearts and in His knowing and His presence we can take comfort that WE HAVE HELP in the time of trouble.  All hell may be amassing an army against us and the flood of demonic attack may be bursting over us like waves breaking on the rocks, but HE IS THERE.  We are not abandoned and we are not forsaken.

If you are facing the worst time of your life and you wonder if God even cares let me challenge you to consider what Salvation cost God.  If you paid that kind of price for something or someone would you not be willing and determined to give them the comfort, strength, encouragement, and help needed to not only survive but thrive?  If we, as the Bible says, are willing to give good gifts to our children do we think God would do less?  Jesus endured the Cross for you and me and He did not to that to let us flounder in the spiritual winds, lose heart, and pull away from Him in our helplessness.  NO!  He is our Present Help.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and His word never fails. He has Promised that He will be there, so take heart and even if you cannot sense Him, receive His Promise by faith.

God, bless you as you embark on today’s leg of your life’s journey!

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THE POWER & IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER…


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Psalm 107:28-30 – “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. 29 He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven.”  NASU

 

The Bible offers numerous examples of prayer turning the tide, changing the direction of the nation but more importantly changing the heart of individuals and bringing them into conformity with God’s Word, Will, and Way.  In life, most people pray when TROUBLE is on the horizon or confronting them.  In those times, they get serious and fervent in their prayers but in times of ease, prayer is often an afterthought or a casual experience.  If we are casual in our prayer lives in times of ease, we will find faith in times of difficulty very difficult.

Moses prayed and the judgment of God was averted against Israel.  He prayed and Lot and his family spared from the judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah.  Daniel prayed and God changed the course of an entire nation.  David prayed and deliverance came to him and to Israel.  Repeatedly, in Scripture importune, effectual, and fervent prayer had a dramatic effect on the outcome.  Jesus gave us a pattern to follow in prayer and additionally instructed us to ASK with PROMISE.  Matthew 7:7, our Lord said, “Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  In Matthew 21:22, Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”  Mark 11:24, the words of our Lord provide hope and a challenge, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”  Did you catch the tense of that verse?  It is important for in faith’s eye it is the evidence of what you have yet to see.  It is substance not just a wish and hope but a firm fixed confidence that it has been granted and you are simply waiting for the fulfillment in the natural what you have believed in the supernatural.  Then, in John 14:13-14, we are told, “Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask ANYTHING in My name, I will do it.”  That could not be more positive and definitive!

Prayer must be fervent, effectual, consistent, and determined but it also must be offered in FAITH.  Mark 9:29 reveals, “And He said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.’”  That is prayer coupled with faith breaks the bonds of demonic powers and forces of hell.  In Acts 9:40, we find, “But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.”  That is POWER in PRAYER!  Remember the instructions of James 5?  “Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.  And if he have committed sins, he will be forgiven.  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

We are to enter God’s gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with Praise.  Therefore, Thanksgiving is to ALWAYS be a part of prayer!  If you are asking, believing that He has granted your petition would not Thankfulness be a natural part?  Of course, it would!  Philippians 4:6-7 gives the instruction, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  THAT IS AMAZING!  No fretting and no fear over ANYTHING.  If we come to God in prayer, believing and offering THANKS the promise is not only the answer to prayer but that God will set a guard at our hearts and minds to KEEP US and will grant us UNSURPASSING PEACE!  Hallelujah!

A.W. Tozer said, “It is because of the hasty and superficial conversation with God that the sense of sin is so weak and that no motives have power to help you to hate and flee from sin as you should.”  Andrew Murray declared, “Prayer is not a monologue, but a dialogue.  God’s voice in response to mine in its most essential part.”  Corrie ten Boone said, “Don’t pray when you feel like it.  Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it.  A man is powerful on his knees.”  Samuel Chadwick said, “Prayer is the acid test of devotion.”  Williams Carey said, “Prayer – secret, fervent, believing prayer – lies at the root of all personal godliness.”   Jesus was a man of prayer, the disciples were men of prayer, the prophets were men of prayer and if we are going to pull down strongholds will only be as effective as our prayer lives!

God, bless you as you determine in 2017 that you will be a man or woman of prayer. 

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RESCUED…


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Colossians 1:13-14 – “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  NASU

Colossians 1:13-14 – “For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,14 in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].  Amplified

 

The KJV renders it “delivered” and that is powerful and a clear description of what transpired. The rendering of “rescued” is also incredible and wonderfully encouraging as it reflects the ‘Mission of God’ about man.  In this picture we see The Living God, Jehovah sending forth His Special Forces Team to RESCUE man from the devil’s dominion and power.

He sent the prophets to condition man’s heart to receive the Messiah.  Then, in the perfect time, He sent Gabriel to that young Jewish maiden chosen to receive the divine seed and produce the Christ Child.  He chose the path that would allow Jesus, as man, to satisfy the Law and Divine Justice and as God to draw men to Himself.  Jesus became God’s “A” Team and Special Ops Force to defeat and dethrone the devil.  Jesus thwarted the devil at every hand.  He was tempted in all points as we yet WITHOUT SIN.  He was sinless and thereby the only sacrifice possible for the sin of man.  He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  He took our place, endured our pain and punishment, and RESCUED us.  The tragedy is that too many reject His offer of deliverance and rescue.

He has drawn us to Himself out of the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of God.  Hallelujah!  In Jesus, we have redemption because of and because of His sacrifice.  Yes, we receive grace by faith but there would be nothing to exercise faith for had He not come on His Divine Rescue Mission.  He canceled sin’s penalty through the Cross for those who repent and believe.  The devil has no legal claim to any person because of the Cross.  Many, live under his dominion simply because they have not heard or have not received the offer of Jesus.

I am RESCUED!  I am DELIVERED!  I am a NEW CREATION in Christ Jesus!  I am FREE!  The life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of and in the Son of God.  In Him, I live and move and have my being.  In Him, I am more than a conqueror.  In Him, I have HOPE!  My fellow believer, you have been RESCUED, therefore live like you have been.  Resist and reject the deception of the devil and stop viewing him as an all-powerful force. HE IS NOT!  Jesus triumphed over Him and took the keys of hell and the grave from him.  We have not only been RESCUED but we have been EMPOWERED and EQUIPPED to live the abundant life promised.  We are able to take on the whole armor of God and pull down strongholds, set the captive free, and we are people of HOPE! 

My RESCUED friend I encourage you to lift up your eyes and look to your source of help, GOD!  Determine in your heart that you will no longer live in the shadows but because you are seated in heavenly places with Christ you will live triumphantly!

God, bless you as you enforce the victory of Calvary in and through Jesus!

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THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR OPENS THE DOOR TO A NEW BEGINNING…


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John 19:30 – “Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ” It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”  NASU

 

Today is the 2nd day of a New Year and we have ended a year, closing the door on the year 2016 and opening the door of 2017.  The end of one year opens the door for a new beginning with a clean slate, so to speak.  Today, in a very real sense, is the Door to 2017 so as we reflect on the year gone by we should also seek the Lord’s guidance for our plan for 2017 or His plan.

Some have asked and I’ve heard theological debates over when the Old Covenant ended and the New Covenant began.  I try to avoid hair-splitting discussions and wrangling over things that bring confusion rather than unity so my purpose is not to delve into that topic per se.  The words of Jesus on the Cross are powerful and important.  As he hung suspended on that cruel tree of shame He cried “IT IS FINISHED!”  I believe it is important to take note of WHAT was finished so we can understand and perceive the Door of Opportunity that He opened.

Man, in the Garden, fell short of the mark and sinned.  Adam & Eve were disobedient to God and that disobedience plunged humanity into a state of depravity that gave legal ground to the devil on the earth.  The Bible identifies the devil as the ‘god of this age’ in 2 Corinthians 4:4.   In Ephesians 2 we discover that the devil is called, ‘the prince of the power of the air.’  Then in John 12:31 we find him called the ‘ruler of this world.’  All of those are significant and identify his legal standing because of man’s sin.  Adam, through his sin, opened the door to the kingdom of darkness and gave legal standing to the devil.  Breaking that legal claim would require a man to come who could satisfy ‘divine justice’ and redeem man.  Jesus came, as man and for man, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died on the Cross to pay the price for sin.  What was finished on the Cross was the devil’s legal claim!  Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine and the subsequent events after His death, the burial, taking the keys of hell and the grave from the devil, stripping him of his legal claim, rising from the dead and ascending to the right hand of the Father ARE VITAL.  His declaration, IT IS FINISHED marked the end of the Old and the Beginning of the New.  He closed the door on the devil and opened the door to Salvation.

As we enter 2017 we should reflect on 2016, only in the sense of learning from the lessons and be motivated to not make the mistakes of the past, but then close the door on it and never look back.  Today, the 2nd of January marks a NEW BEGINNING and a NEW OPPORTUNITY.  You and I, as members of the Body of Christ, can place the past under the Blood of Jesus and embrace the newness of life and the awesomeness of His life. We can face 2017 not with trepidation but anticipation.  Yes, all the problems that exist today will be there tomorrow but we are not children of the past but children of the future, in Jesus.  We are not those that take hold to the plow looking back but those who are looking to the hills from whence comes our help.  We are not those under the domain of darkness but those who have been translated into the Kingdom of Light.  We are those who have weapons mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.  We are more than conquerors through Jesus!  So, look out 2017 here comes the Body of Christ!

God, bless you as embark on your journey in this New Year.  May your new year and entire year find you enjoying the richest and best of the blessings of God and rising to new heights in Him soaring as the eagle, running without weariness, and walking without fainting.  GOD, BLESS YOU and may you have a continued HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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