Ready for What is Coming

Everything will be shaken that can be shaken. Hebrews 12 openly declares this truth, "now He has promised, saying, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also heaven."  However, the Word reassures us, "Thanks be to God we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken."  In addition, Isaiah 60 promises that as darkness covers the earth, His light will come upon believers and His glory will be seen upon them.  So, the critical question remains, will men turn from the darkness that is being shaken and turn to the unshakeable kingdom of Jesus, the light of the world?    

As we begin the new year, the world cries out for psychics and fortunetellers to predict what is going to happen.  Yet few turn to God's Word or even consider listening to God.  However, God has been speaking by His prophets and the plan spelled out in His Word is sure to happen.  This is consistent with Amos 3:7, which states, "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.  One example of the testimony of prophets speaking about the end-times is found in www.givehim15.com   Also there are over 150 chapters of Scripture that have reference to events of the end-time (See www.www.mikebickle.com from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City to learn more.)  It is time for the church to get her head out of the sand and rise up to be the light God desires the world to see.  

God has two important instructions in Revelation for the church to obey in order to walk in triumph during the completion of prophetic events on earth.  Revelation 22:11 basically states the unjust will get worse and the holy are called to be holy.  There will be a sharp divide between good and evil, just as the Gospels show the complete division between Jesus and the world.  

Therefore, the first essential quality for the church, the body of believers, is to have the fear of the Lord, which is defined in Proverbs 8:13 as hatred of evil.  God Himself calls His children to come to Him and He will teach us the fear of the Lord (Psalm 34:11-13).  Fear of the Lord produces humble obedience.  We must learn to be instant in obeying the Holy Spirit.  

Secondly, the Kingdom of God is always advancing.  The life of God in us will continue to grow, of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.  Believers are called to stir up the supernatural gifts and authority God has entrusted to us.  His glory will be seen on us as we speak words of life, execute the judgments of God, and see God confirm His Word with signs and wonders beyond what is recorded in the Acts.  In short, we must allow the Holy Spirit to teach us how to be instruments of divine power and love.  Jesus promised we would do the works He did, and greater ones.  Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts.  

We have an unshakeable kingdom and will not be shaken.  Not only will we be protected, but beyond our imagination, we will be a glorious witness of the life and power of God.  Many, maybe millions or billions, will see our light and turn to the Lord during the coming events.  It is not a time to dread, but rather the greatest time in the history of the world to see every evil ended and every good powerfully confirmed.  Jesus will be a very present help in trouble and constantly show Himself superior to all the powers of darkness.  We shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony (declaring what God has done for us), and we love not our lives even unto death (Revelation 12:11).  We will have such an overwhelming taste of His glory that the words of Psalm 63:3, "Thy loving kindness is better than life." will be reality and we simply won't fear death or going home to glory.  Everyone born of God will overcome.  (1 John 5:4)  Praise God for giving us His ever increasing faith, unshakeable hope, and everlasting love.   

Fear not, for I am with you.  I will prepare you to arise and shine!   

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How Start, How Finish

Life is filled with starts and finishes.  How we start the day, how we finish the day.  How we start the job, how we finish the job.  How we start the marriage, how we finish the marriage. There are seasons, times to sow and times to reap, according to Ecclesiastes.  The difference maker is how we start and how we finish.  Consider Jesus in how we start this new year.

Jesus became a baby in the midst of physical humbleness but with heavenly glory, angels appearing, shepherds responding to the message that a savior has been born, and three kings from the east recognizing the supreme ruler of the universe.  He began with the witness of God. 

Jesus finished strong by freely laying His life down for mankind in the midst of extreme physical torment and ridicule, but with the witness of the prophetic Word of God.  He fulfilled the Scriptures and trusted God to raise Him up.  He descended into hell, but the devil had nothing in Him to hold Him, so by the power of the Spirit He was able to take the keys (authority over mankind) from Satan and demonstrate God's triumphant victory over sin, sickness, and death by His resurrection.  He finished with the witness of God.  

Jesus, who now lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, enables us to demonstrate this same triumphant victory in our daily lives.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  We can start the day (Psalm 92:2) declaring that by the fresh mercy of God we stand whole and complete in Him.  Likewise, at the end of the day, we can finish by acknowledging the faithfulness of God in helping us through the day. Psalm 92:4 continues with the promise "I will triumph in the work of Your hands."  All that is needed to walk together with God is to agree with Him (Amos 3:3) in our heart and by our words. 

As we began the new year, many people make resolutions and wishful plans; however, the truth is these only prove that we know changes are needed and rarely produce results.  God has a better way to start the year that does glorify Him and produce lasting results.  

God does honor, according to His Word, two specific resolutions.  One is a commitment, that whether we live or die, we aim to be well pleasing to Him (2 Corinthians 5:9).  It is a heart desire and a fresh dependence upon the Spirit "to will and to work for His pleasure" as we obey His promptings.  In short, to obey what He tells you to do. 

Secondly, we commit, as Paul prayed in Philippians 3, to press on to the goal of knowing God, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."  The challenge is to die to fleshly desires of the old man and put on the new man created in His image and holiness.  As we allow the Spirit to establish His truth and a greater desire to know Him in our hearts, we can fulfill 2 Corinthians 4:11, "For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."  Each situation provides an opportunity to know God and the power of His resurrection as we choose life in obeying His way and put to death our selfish desires of the flesh.  

Therefore, how we start the day, start the relationship, start the job, start the year, depends upon our humble attitude.  We acknowledge our need to trust and depend upon God to help us walk in the Spirit and to give us strength to obey.  Just as Jesus, because of the joy set before Him willingly endured the cross," we purpose to put the joy of knowing Him and pleasing Him greater treasure than doing things our own way.    

All Will Know Me

The Word from heaven about the birth of Jesus is "Glory to God in the highest and peace to men of goodwill."  Jesus' purpose in coming to earth as a man was to give peace by reconciling sinful man with a holy God. In short, He came to save all mankind.  1 Timothy 2:4 declares "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  

When Jesus confronted Saul on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus, He stated His intent openly, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. but rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose....to open their eyes (Jews and Gentiles) in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."  Acts 26:15-18  

God desires all men taste and see the goodness of the Lord.  Those who come to know Jesus not only experience His peace and forgiveness, but also enjoy sharing the fullness of His life in us.  Just as the angel announced the coming child shall be called, "Emmanuel, God with us," Paul further reveals that as a born-again child of God, we experience "Christ in you, the hope of glory,"   This abundant life empowers believers to overcome on earth and to have sure promise of eternal joy with God forever.  

However, there is more.  Psalm 62:1-2 explains "God be merciful and gracious to us that your way may be known in all the earth."  The Lord clearly wants us to be a light in this world so others may see His light in us and come to know Him.

In other words, what He has done for us makes us able to do the same for others.  He loves us so we can love others with His love.  Just as He forgives us so are we commanded and enabled to forgive others.  Everyone born of God overcomes according to 1 John 5:4, so we can give testimony to the world that Jesus has overcome and now is King of kings.  As He is, so are we in this world, (1 John 4:17)

This is eternal life, that they know Me and know the Father, according to Jesus in John 17.  Jesus came and clearly desires all men to know Him.  We are now His ambassadors by walking in the light of His life and sharing the message of our saving God.  May the Lord draw all people to Him as they see our good works and hear our sharing of His gracious plan.  Let the Lord be magnified, as every knee bows and every tongue humbly confesses, "Jesus is Lord."    

 

Love to vs Have to

The question is why do we obey God?  Love to or have to?  Wanting to please God, rather than having to keep a list of laws in order to satisfy God's demands, sets one free.  Our motivation is that we, as receivers of His grace, aim to be well-pleasing to Him, according to 2 Corinthians 5:9. 

 A teen-age boy may not listen to his mother to clean up. dress neat, or practice certain manners.  However, when he falls in love and wishes to please a certain girl those seemingly impossible chores instantly are automatically done out of love and desire to please the object of his affections.  The point is the new motivation. 

This is the essential difference between the law and grace, or more specifically religion and relationship.  Most religions are similar to the Law with a list of "things" that one has to do in order to be in God's favor.  The Gospel is exactly the opposite.  Jesus loves us even when we are sinners, enough to die for us.  One simply has to admit that he has failed or sinned and accepts that Jesus loves him so much that He willingly paid for all our sin consequences through His death and resurrection.  

Accepting this infinite love transforms the human heart, allows the Holy Spirit to make one a new creation, and plants a fresh desire, a "I delight to do thy will" in the believer.  This love relationship motivates more out of wanting to respond to God's infinite love than having to obey a set of rules ever could. Paul explains that the love of Christ constrains us.  

The challenge, according to Romans, is whether this grace allows us to keep sinning.  No, the difference is that now we want to obey out of love, not out of fear of rejection.  

How can one walk with God unless he agrees with Him?  Man's thoughts and ways are totally opposite of God's thoughts and ways.  Therefore, as the believer presents his body as a living sacrifice and chooses to let God's thoughts and ways (expressed in His Word) dwell in him richly, he is transformed and demonstrates the perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).  When man's heart is to please God, he freely chooses to lay down his old fleshly ways and to grow in walking according to the characteristics of the new man God has recreated him to be.  

Jesus stated in John 14:15, "if you love me, you will keep my commandments." The indwelling presence of God in the new man produces joy and strength to obey His commands.  And then, the very act of obeying God, produces newness of life, (Romans 6) which encourages more love and obedience.  The more we know Him, the more we want to love Him by obeying.  This new loving way of life continues until man is transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. 

God is not interested in a group of robots who are forced to submit and have to do what He wants.  Rather man is created in God's own image and likeness so he can freely choose to respond to the Father's love expressed in Jesus Christ.  Being a cheerful giver, even a giver of our very life, pleases God.  Believers who are born again into this new creation, are empowered with the Spirit to love and actually delight in serving God and pleasing Him.   God shows his pleasure with the infinite rewarding words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of Your Father.'   

     

 

The Lord be Magnified!

 Do you say continually, "The Lord be magnified!"?  What if we asked if you love your salvation?  Would you answer differently?  Yet Psalm 40:16 states, "Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, 'The Lord be magnified!'"  The obvious point is that God is worthy of our continuous exalting and glorifying Him.  Clearly the Holy Spirit needs to show us how all things show His glory and empower us to boldly magnify Him for all He has done.  

Let's consider why the Lord Jesus willingly laid down His life and endured such torment and suffering that He was marred beyond recognition. (Isaiah 53) Through His blood being poured out all our sins we were washed clean.  We not only are "most blessed" to receive His forgiveness, but He also lifted us up with Him to be "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people. (1 Peter 2:9)  Why has He bestowed on us such awesome favor?  The rest of the verse gives this answer, "that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  We have been appointed to proclaim His praises.  Ephesians 1 also summarizes our purpose by declaring we have been destined to live for the praise of His glory.  We are His light.

Our ways and thoughts are so far from His ways and thoughts.  If we found a "deal" in the Black Friday sales, we would go all out to tell everyone around us.  Yet in coming into the salvation of Jesus Christ, receiving the greatest possible gift with everlasting greatness and joy, the hope of glory, Christ in us, it seems such a "little thing" that we are afraid or hesitant to tell anyone.

"Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus" is the line from a song by Anne Wilson.  The words continue, "He makes a way where there ain't no way, rises up from an empty grave, ain't no sinner He can't save, let me tell you 'bout my Jesus.  His love is strong and His grace is free, and the good news is that I know He can do for you what He has done for me.  Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus."  May the Holy Spirit put that kind of appreciation for what He has done in our lives and that kind of boldness to make it known to all. 

Here is my suggestion how to change this omission into action.  As we read the Word of God and get fresh revelation in the knowledge of Him, respond to the Holy Spirit with a simple, "Thank you.  Show me more."  The more we taste and see how good He is, the less we will be intimidated by our fears of what others may think.  As we forget not His benefits, our eyes and heart will be enlightened to see that He is the answer to every situation.  That kind of "know-so" heart confidence can't help but flow from our lips.

We are the salt of the earth that preserves life and makes everyone thirsty.  Therefore, God commands us who have freely received, to freely give.  Never think that a little "salt" of what God has done is too small to mention, but rather, because you love your salvation, say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified!"

 

Let

  Let.  This implies something that we do.  It is a participation of agreement to some action.  In Psalm 31, the word "let" precedes the desired end several times.  It is first addressed to God as a prayer for His participation.  For example, v.1 'Let me never be put to shame," and v.16  "Let Your face shine on Your servant."  In these verses we are inviting the Lord, actually agreeing with His Word and giving Him permission, to perform His desires.  What a marked contrast to the concept that we are waiting on God to move, rather than God is waiting on us to let Him do it.  

The dictionary definition of "let" is to allow, permit, give permission to, give leave to, choose to execute what is right or should be done.  In short, "let" requires your agreement and obedience to an order.  "Let" is the switch on the flashlight, God is the battery.  

The conclusion of Psalm 31 calls on us to choose an action God commands, "Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope in the Lord."  Likewise, Jesus often directed His followers with commands like "Let your light shine among men."  In John 14, as He was explaining to His disciples that He was going to die and go to the Father, His instruction was "Let not your hearts be troubled."  A choice like this requires a deliberate focus on His truth and rejecting the natural thoughts and feelings that our fallen nature pumps into our consciousness.  

God is so good.  Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life.  His mercy is fresh every morning.  No good thing does He withhold from those who fear Him.  God makes all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called for His purpose.  There are so many of these promises which show His goodness and give us a future and a hope. We can focus on His goodness and mercy and "let" this truth flood our soul, or we can focus on the negative emotions that scream at us.  However, know that this decision is life or death; choose life.  It is up to us to take every thought captive to obey Christ.  The question is what thoughts and feelings will you allow to dwell in your mind.  No one can do this for you, you have free will and are king of your life. The choice is yours.  

Paul instructs the Colossians, "Let the peace of God rule in our hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the Word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."  In Philippians, he further states the necessity to refuse to be anxious by turning things over to the Lord in prayer with thanksgiving, so the peace of Christ can fill our hearts and minds. Then he shows us how to "change the channel" by deliberately thinking about what is lovely, pure, just, and worthy of praise.  We can allow Christ's peace to enter by obeying His simple command "think about these things."  

Clearly the gate keeper is our mind and heart.  Proverbs 23:7 reveals as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  2 Corinthians 10:4 points out the divine weapons for the spiritual battle empower us to take every thought captive and put down every imagination that opposes Christ.  On the amazing positive side, the Spirit has reveals to us the mind of Christ and we are instructed to "let" this mind be in you, which leads us to know God's thoughts and ways.  We let His thoughts and ways dominate and replace our thoughts and ways.  God's way of rewarding us for choosing to keep His Word in your mind and heart, thus speaking His truth, is to lead us "always in triumph."  

Finally, Jesus said to those who would be His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  Matthew 16:24  Therefore, we let Him and His life rule in us by laying down our selfish ways, thus letting His joy and peace be our strength.  God is waiting for us and calling to us to allow Him to live in us forever.  Let Him.   

Glory of God Will Be Seen

 Jesus told Mary, after the death of Lazarus, that if she believed she would see the glory of God. Therefore, in that same promise we can stand in faith that, yes, today we will see and experience the glory of the Lord. It pleases God to give us the kingdom.  We beheld His glory in receiving Jesus according to John 1:14.  Even though we live in the real world which always has tribulations, God is always with us and reminds us to focus on Him and His victory rather than let our hearts be troubled.  Psalm 17 graphically brings this truth to our attention with the last verse, 'As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in your likeness."  

What a powerful assurance that His presence will result in being satisfied. What could describe this condition better that these promises: my needs are all met, no good thing will He withhold, surely goodness and mercy will follow me today, in His presence is fullness of joy, and all things work together for good because I love Him and am called according to His purpose.

Moses consecrated Aaron with the instructions of what he needed to present to God and with the assurance that "Today the glory of the Lord will appear to you." in Leviticus 9.  In the New Testament, we are instructed to present ourselves as a living sacrifice and be renewed in our mind to prove or demonstrate God's good and perfect will.  We know the promise in Isaiah 60 that in the midst of darkness His light comes and "the glory of the Lord will be seen upon you."

So God created you and this day to show HIs glory to you.  He clearly desires to walk with you in His glory wherever you go and whatever you do.  The command is to consecrate yourself and this day to Him, believe His Word, and surely you will see the glory of God.  In His presence we are being changed from glory to glory.  

Believe the promise of God that today His glory will be seen upon you.

Don't Drink Dirty Milk!

Drink Pure Milk.  Touch Nothing Unclean.

Jesus was the most joyful person on earth because He loved righteousness and hated lawlessness, according to Hebrews 1:9.  Because of the fall of man, evil has entered the world, and now life is filled with choices such as good or evil, right or wrong, life or death.  God reminds us that life and death are before us, so He clearly instructs us to choose life.  We are called to love good and hate evil.  Scripture is filled with promises and blessings on those who fear Him, which is defined in Proverbs 8:13 as hatred of evil.  It pleases God when His children reject evil.  

In the New Testament this contrast between good and evil and the need to choose good is further explained to ensure obedience.  2 Corinthians 6:14 states, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?  And what accord has Christ with Belial (the devil)?"  God then shares His Father-heart desire to walk with us as His sons and daughters and literally be in us.  What could be stronger or more important that His next statement, "Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."

With this foundational understanding, let's consider the coming holiday of Halloween.  It's origin was the 2000-year ago Celtic feast of Samhain, where ghosts of the dead were believed to come back to haunt the living.  Scripture is extremely clear in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 that "There must never be anyone among you who...consults ghosts or spirits, or calls up the dead."  As you recall King Saul's final condemnation came when he asked the witch of Endor to call up Samuel from the dead.  In the New Testament, Paul openly states, "I do not want you to be participants with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too." (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)

The Celts were afraid of the demon spirits from the dead, so at the feast of Samhain  there were large bonfires, animal sacrifices, and people even wore the heads and skins of the sacrificed animals to scare away and hide from the evil spirits, which is where the custom of dressing up in costumes comes from.  Some people offered fruit, candy, of gifts to appease the evil spirit world to avoid their "tricks."   

An honest look at the character of what Halloween celebrates also shows the nature of Satan, not God,  Fear, evil spirits, witches, death, torment, twisted and ugly creatures, deception and openness to the demonic supernatural demonstrate the exact opposite of the beauty and love of God.  Jesus said Satan was out to steal, kill, and destroy.  He call him the father of lies.  Paul points out what a deceiver he is because "Satan, himself transforms himself as an angel of light."  All the excuses or rationalizations do not cover the truth that this holiday does not honor or glorify God, but rather is the work of darkness.  God is not mocked.   

Children are open to the supernatural because they are close to God.  Woe to those who lead them astray!  What we can excuse as innocent fun is not right in God's eyes if it opens children to demonic darkness.  Lead children to taste and see the goodness of God, His healing power, His victory over fear, death, and sin.  Jesus is so good, so beautiful, so loving, so wonderful.  Let them enjoy His presence in worship.  Give them the pure milk of the Word.  Don't drink dirty milk.

          

Crowns Are Not Always Comfortable

 Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Father.  Nothing compares to the crown that God has for those who faithfully serve Him. 

There is a standing joke about the response of the person whom the dentist informed that she needed a crown.  Her reply was, "it is about time somebody recognized that!"  Just so happens that this week I did get a crown from the dentist and my overall reaction is that crowns are not always comfortable. 

The analogy to receiving a crown from men is likewise true.  Jesus warns in Luke 6:26 "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."  Our flesh always wants men's approval and to feel like our efforts are noticed and appreciated.  This leads to a dangerous pattern.  We may do or say things just to please men rather than seek to please God by being obedient to the truth of God's Word.  The difference is life or death.  Choose life. 

Have you noticed in the sermon on the mount how many times Jesus says to pray in secret, fast in secret, give in secret, so God the Father can reward you openly.  He calls us to "perform" for an audience of One, not to show off to others.  God looks at the heart, not the outward physical display.

1 Peter 2:14 points out that the role of authorities is to punish evil and praise good.  Therefore, there certainly is nothing wrong with commending good behavior or choices. These comments help motivate people to continue in godly actions. 

However, there are also some negative things that can tempt us.  First, we can become arrogant and think we are better than we are. We may even think we are better than others when Scripture in Philippians 2 reminds us to "esteem others better than ourselves."    Second, we can begin to compromise our standards just to get men's approval, rather than be true to the godly convictions God has planted in our hearts.   We want to stand before God in our greatest appointment with no regrets.   

What is the answer?  Let the peace of God be the umpire in your heart.  Do things and choose attitudes which please Him rather than looking for fleshly affirmation.  We know according to Romans 8 that flesh is enmity against the spirit and cannot please God.  Be gracious to receive thanks when people give you credit or recognize your efforts, but let your rejoicing rest in the comforting witness of the Holy Spirit.  T. L. Osborn, a seasoned evangelist who carried the Gospel to India, said it this way, "If you aren't affected by people's cheers, you won't be distracted by their jeers."  Corrie Ten Boom accurately described this situation as receiving the "roses" people give her, but before going to bed she would say, "Jesus, these really belong to You."   

Crowns, except the one God gives, are temporary and not always comfortable. 

     

Look in the Mirror

This morning I looked in the mirror and wasn't very excited or pleased with what I saw.  However, God quickly reminded me that it was the wrong mirror!  The real me can only be discerned by looking in His mirror.  James 1:25 says, "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." 

When we look into God's mirror, which is His Word, all darkness is removed and we see the light of completeness in Christ.  Darkness is only in the natural world, and comes into us when we let the natural replace the divine.  We have been made a new creation, a temple of the Holy Spirit, filled with the very righteousness and life of God.  In Him we live and move and have our being. 

However, it is possible to forget who we are in Christ.  Looking into the mirror of our thoughts and feelings only magnifies attention to the flesh and tends to make us ignore or forget the truth.  The above stated verse in James 1:25 exhorts us to "continue in it."  Likewise, Jesus, in John 15, declares "If My Word abides in you."  This serious admonition to keep our minds and hearts renewed rather than be conformed to the world is reinforced by Paul in Romans 12:2.  The blessings proclaimed in Psalm 1 flow from keeping this Word in our minds and hearts day and night.  

Death and life are set before us each day. Which mirror will you observe and believe? Choose the mirror of life.  Choose to dwell on the life-giving truth of who you really are through the mirror of divine revelation. The main role of our recreated spirit is to be in continuous fellowship with God.  David prayed, "I set the Lord always before me."  We are instructed to stand fast in the peace and freedom that Jesus Christ purchased and continues to provide when our heart and mind are stayed on Him.  

It all depends upon which mirror you look into and which reflection you continue to believe.  We are blessed beyond what we can think or imagine as we reflect on the image God's mirror presents.  Not only to maintain our position, but also to be further changed.  "We all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18 

Our life today is meant to be filled with giving praise and thanksgiving, rejoicing in His goodness, and walking in the divine power and overflowing joy.  It all depends upon which mirror we consult, and whether we hold fast the picture reflected from God's mirror!  Every time you look into the physical mirror, deliberately choose to also look into the eternal mirror and remember who you are by the finished work of Jesus Christ. 

 

Alert and on Guard, We Overcome!

 The words of Paul to the Ephesians in Acts 20 resonate with the spiritual battle we currently are involved in, whether we are aware of it or not.  Even though he had gone through incredible attacks, even being stoned, shipwrecked, and knew that imprisonment and suffering was ahead, Paul states "None of these things move me."  Oh, that we all had our hearts steadfast like his.  

Our overcoming abundant life depends upon living by the Word of God rather than the happenings of the world around us.  It may be a challenge to fight the good fight of faith and to know God is working all things for our good when things around us are falling apart., However, the truth is that His way is perfect, even in the midst of the storm.  The good news is He is always a very present help in times of trouble and He simply wants us to call on Him.  Jesus has already won the victory, so stand in faith to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy.    

  

Paul's instructions to the Ephesian leaders was to "take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock" and to "be alert and on your guard."  October tends to be a season when the spiritual forces of evil get stirred up with the Halloween emphasis.  The Spirit of God reminds us to be vigilant in our taking authority and declaring victory over the demonic forces.by "the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and with total commitment where we love not our lives even unto death." (Rev 12:11).  

Paul's warning goes even further, stating that ferocious wolves will get in and even within our ranks people will rise up and say perverse things leading others astray.  Rather than let this warning discourage us believers, Paul calls on us to stand strong in the Word of God which is able to build us up to receive the full inheritance.. However, the battle is real, and both Paul and Jesus tell us to be alert.  Jesus shows much more concern about us being deceived in the last days than He does about us being persecuted.  All those who refuse to love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10) will be subject to deception. 

It is not a time to be passive or defeated in spirit, but rather to rise up in the authority and name of Jesus, declaring the victorious Word of God, and trusting the Holy Spirit to equip us with all we need to overcome.  .  According to 1 John 5:4 all those born again are united "in Christ" and destined to overcome the world and the work of the enemy. By faith we unite in HIs victorious death and resurrection, and now live by faith in the power of God.  Jesus warned His followers, in John 14 shortly before His arrest, to "not let your hearts be troubled.",  What God commands He also enables.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep your heart in Him and His promises instead of rehearsing what the enemy is doing.  Daily put on the armor of God and use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,  The anointing of God will break the yoke and give us discernment to stand against the enemy's traps.  .   

Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph!

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Very Present Help

Have you ever felt like God wasn't there when you needed Him?  It is not true, of course, but our feelings may still go that direction.  Psalm 46:1 declares that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

However, many times we don't realize the next step depends upon us.  Let examine this truth in a couple of Scriptures.  In Exodus 3 Moses saw a burning bush and decided to "turn aside and see this great sight."  The next verse states, "when God saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush."  God waited to see if Moses chose to respond before communicating with him.

A similar characteristic of God appeared in Mark 6 when the disciples were in the middle of a storm on the sea of Galilee.  Mark 6:48 states that Jesus "saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking of the sea, and He would have passed them by."  Clearly Jesus was aware of their struggle and came out on the sea, but notice that He would have passed them by.  It was only when they cried out to Him that He intervened by calming the storm and getting them safely to the other side.

One more example is after the resurrection when Jesus approached the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, and amazed them by opening the Scriptures about the Messiah.  Luke 24:28-29 explains "Then they drew near to the village where they were gong, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, 'Abide with us, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent.' And He went in to stay with them."  He would have continued on if they had not asked Him to stay with them. 

The point of these Scriptures is this, just as Isaiah 30:18 points out, God waits to be gracious to us.  He is a very present help in trouble, but He won't intervene unless we call on Him.  God desires us to ask, seek, and knock.  He delights in showing mercy.  Yet He waits for us to ask, to invite Him in, because God honors man's authority and freedom.    

Psalm 115:16 states this amazing truth.  "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's; but the earth He has given to the children of men."  God's plan and purpose for man was to have dominion and rule the earth.  Even though Adam and Eve sold out to the devil and fell into disobedience, the man Jesus defeated the devil and completely paid the price for sin. thus restoring all authority back into the hands of man. God respects our authority and won't do things without our permission.  

We overcome through faith in what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf.  1 John 5:1-5 declares whatever is born of God overcomes the world, through our faith.   All of Jesus' power and help are available, since we are joint-heirs of the inheritance Jesus earned through His death and resurrection.  God commands us to pray always, to ask in faith, and He will respond.  So even though Jesus is with us in every situation, He waits for us to turn to Him and call for His help.  The Lord is always with us, but we need to deliberately have an attitude like David, "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken." Then we will realize His very present help and not be shaken.  

Realize that this very present help is as close as a simple prayer.  "Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being here with me right now in what I am going through.  I call on You, Lord Jesus, to be that very present help to deliver me and cause me to overcome.  I trust Your mercy and praise You for your faithfulness and goodness to rescue me.  In the name of Jesus, let it be so. "        

Feel Close to God?

Are you feeling close to God?  That actually is Not the question.  Our relationship with God flows from our spirit to affect our thinking and feelings, not the other way around.  If you have accepted Jesus' death and resurrection for your sins, you are close to God.

Everyone knows that feelings are fickle. We can be high and excited one moment and depressed the next.  Feelings change in a heartbeat, but reality always remains the same and does not change.  True reality is found in the Word of God, which even though heaven and earth may pass away, Jesus assures us His truth endures forever. 

The primary question of every person who has ever lived on the planet is "how do I stand in God's eyes?"  In other words, am I right with God and will I go to heaven?  There are many religions that give a set of rules to live by, but the problem is that in the heart of every man we know that we have missed the mark and done things wrong.  We have all broken the rules to live by.  Scripture says it this way, all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  There is only one way to get free of sin, and that is to have someone pay for them who is able to do so.  Jesus as the Son of God not only qualifies as able, but He willingly as a man took the punishment that all of our sins deserved, death.  There is only one faith that has a God who paid the price for sin so we can stand right with God.

Many people think that they are trying to live pretty good lives and therefore, God will surely accept them.  Others know about God's mercy but still feel that their efforts to do what is right AND God's mercy will grant them eternal life.  Both are wrong.  All our righteousness, our attempts to do right, are still as dirty rags according to Isaiah 54:6  This is actually good news because it takes away our fear of am I good enough.  Instead, all we have to do is say yes, I am not good enough but I receive the gift of Your righteousness.  Thank You for paying completely for my offences and for the rebellious sin nature of my flesh.  It has nothing to do with our performance, but rather realizing Jesus has said, "you are righteous because I AM."

The principle that Jesus taught is that the humble will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.  God honors those humble enough to be like the publican in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican going to pray, "Have mercy on me, a sinner."  

What about doing good?  Everyone knows that love is stronger than fear, and perfect love casts out all fear.  We do good because we seek to please Him.  We keep His commandments because we love Him and all He has done for us, not because we fear rejection from heaven.  As being born from death to life and given the righteousness of God, we can set our minds on the Spirit and actually delight to do His will.  We may still blow it, but the Spirit checks us and we quickly repent, knowing He loves and forgives.  Nothing can separate us from the wonderful love of God. 

So the point is, we are more than close to God, we are actually a temple for God to live in.  He makes His home in us, not because we feel like we have been good, but because He is good and and has done it all to make it possible.  So we know we are "close to God" because of the revelation of our relationship in His Word and the witness of the Spirit, whether or not we feel our performance has been great today.  God desires us to know we are "His beloved in whom He is well pleased," now and forever.  

Work

We should be regarded, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, according to 1 Corinthians 4:1.  Our true respnse to Christ's infinite love is to choose to willingly serve Him and obey Him.  Servants work.    

Very few things in life challenge our flesh like choosing to work.  In the spirit, we know the truth expressed in Ephesians 2:10, that "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."   On the other hand, our flesh tends to be lazy and we don't feel like doing anything.  Our flesh isn't just the body, it is the fallen nature of the rebellious soul, simply defined as the "I think, I feel, and I want."  Flesh seeks the easiest path.  The flesh is opposed to the spirit and hates anything God or our spirit desires.  Therefore, when we let our spirit rule and override the fleshly resistance, we show who is master and please God.

In the spirit and according to the Word, which is spirit and life, work is an opportunity to share in the creative power of God to produce fruit.  We are told in Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ."  

A friend of mine, worked on the assembly line of a car manufacturing plant, and his job was to put on the right front door of the vehicle.  He had 22 seconds to pick up the door, place the piece on its hinges, and put the pins in so the door could shut properly.  It just so happened that he was a worship leader in our fellowship, so one day he was seeking God on how to grow in worship.  The Lord said to him, "If you put the door on the car with the same carefulness and thoroughness that you would if you were putting it on My car, that is worship.  He saw his work as a new opportunity to worship God.

The Holy Spirit shows us our call, our assignment of what we are to do, then He enables us "to willl and to work" for His pleasure. .It is our spirit that must rule over the soul, just as the soul rules over the body.  I delight to do the will of God is the truth on which the spirit operates.  The spirit then overrides the desires of the flesh, and our soul must submit.  The soul directs our bodies to get to work.  The result is we are able to produce some fruit, maybe a job done, a chore accomplished, or a "to do" list item completed.  We can enjoy the satisfaction and peace of "Well done, good and a faithful servant" from the Lord.

Today may be Labor Day for a variety of reaons, but it is also an opportunity to praise God for the work He has given you and for the enabling power He has provided to do it.  Our work, everything from giving a glass of water to a little one to helping a neighbor do something, glorifies God and has His promise of a  reward.  All things, even work, are from Him, through Him, and for Him. Praise God forever! for His perfect ways.     

  

  

Good Plans

Every school teacher spends most of August planning and preparing for the next school year.  It is a time to look at ways we can improve and to imagine how much we are going to accomplish.  It seems that good intentions, like hope, spring eternal.  . 

There is nothing wrong with making good plans, but.....     Proverbs 16:9 points out "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  In other words, unless the Lord is in it to "will and to work for His pleasure," the plan will not bear fruit.  Isaiah 30:1 even goes so far as to say "Woe to those who devise plans, but not of My Spirit."

We know God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Part of that "for good" is opening our heart to realize we need Him, because the temptation in the garden was for man to think he is "like God," and therefore, does not need the God's help.  Yet Ephesians 1 points out that as we grow in "wisdom and revelation of Him" our understanding will be enlightened until He becomes "all in all." 

Jesus spoke and demonstrated that love is laying down His life for His friends.  This same principle can be applied to loving God with all our mind.  We love God by laying down our thoughts and plans and submitting to His.  God wants us to use our mind, only in harmony with His ways.  Therefore, the necessity of seeking Him and learning to hear His voice must preceed the making of plans.  He is not far away, but literally is within our spirits ready to help us know the way.

My instruction, if you wish to walk in victory, is to lay down your thoughts before Him, and ask Him for His plans for the day.  Then be obedient to do what you beleive He is directing.  This step may be easier if you write down what comes to mind as you wait on Him. blessed are those who hear and do His Word.   There is such a sense of peace and accomplishment when you obey and see the fruit of your deeds.  Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph. 

Moses prayed in Exodus 33:13, "Show me now Your way, that I might know you."   The more we seek and find God's way or plan to overcome, the more we will experience knowing the character of God.  God promises to satisfy those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  The key is to desire God's right way of doing things and refuse to settle for anything less than what his peace confirms.  May His peace keep your mind and heart in Christ Jesus as you follow His good plans.  

Fall Like Lightning

 The 70 disciples came back to Jesus with joy saying, "Even the demons are subject to us through Your name."  Jesus replied, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."  (Luke 10:17-18)  Satan has fallen and is defeated.

Jesus, who declared that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him in Matthew 28, also declared that we have been given the right to represent Him through use of His name. When He sent the disciples out He called them together and "gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."  With His authority what could possibly stop us from overcoming?

In the parable of the sower it is revealed that even though the Word is an incorruptible seed, it can be choked by the weeds (other thoughts and cares) that we allow to live in our hearts.  We see the same principle working in the situation (Mark 9) where the man brought the demon-possessed boy to Jesus.  When he asked Jesus, "If you can do anything?, Jesus replied all things are possible to him who believes.  Notice in the man's response that he did believe, but he also had unbelief.  These weeds, contrary thoughts and soulish cares that produced unbelief, choked his faith and rendered him powerless.   

Jesus is not impressed or moved by many words. He even taught us not to pray like the heathen who repeat many phrases or chants. He is moved by those who declare His Word with authority.  "Let your eye be single" suggests that our focus is on the truth and power of the Word, refusing to look at the waves and the wind that would cause doubt.  He who dies to himself, finds life.  Rejecting what our soulish nature, called our flesh, dictates through the natural senses and choosing to hear the Word which is spirit and truth, produces life. 

The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus.  He leads us to know the truth of what Jesus has accomplished.  He further pours the love of God into our hearts so we can by faith understand the absolutely awesome gift of divine nature God has allowed us to share in Christ.  So much so that 1 John 4:17 states, "As He is, so are we in the world." 

Jesus established His church to bind and loose things on earth with the same authority and power of heaven, assuring us that the gates of hell would not prevail. He meant for believers who receive His free gift of righteousness to rule in this life.  He also gave us instruction of how to pray, including the imperative commands, "Thy kingdon, Come!" and "Thy will, Be Done!"  We as the Body of Christ are to do the works that He did and greater ones.  

How do we rule?  Jesus is revealed in Revelation as having a two-edged sword coming out of His mouth.  Likewise, Psalm 149 speaks of believers having the high praises of God in our mouths and the two-edge sword in our hands.   God has entrusted to His faithful ones the authority to use the Word, so He can confirm it with power and signs following.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit is teaching believers today to declare His Word over all situations, and to stand in His authority.  The climax of the armor in Epesians 6 is to "stand therefore, and having done all to stand, stand."  1 Peter 5 calls us to resist steadfast in the faith until God perfects, establishes, strengthens and settles us in the victory.  

 Satan has fallen from heaven like lightning.  Jesus made a public example of him (Colossians 2:15) by defeating him through His death on the cross, and triumphed over him through His resurrection.  The battle is finished, and God is looking for those who would believe it in their hearts and declare it with their lips.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.  Speak the Word in faith.  Fight the good fight of faith by refusing to let the weeds of unbelief detract you from standing strong in Jesus' name and authority.  Faith pleases God and causes us to overcome the world (1 John 5:4).  

 

Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing

Nothing offends our flesh like the truth.  Yet when Jesus pointed out that "apart from Me you can do nothing" in John 15, He wasn't putting us down.  Rather, the purpose was to set us free from self-reliance so we could become fruitful uniting with Him.  Jesus also shares the resulting promise, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

Man was created to walk humbly with God.  Adam and Eve were given the ability and the commission to keep and maintain the garden, but as we all know, sin destroyed their harmony with God and their capability to rule righteously.  Sin produces death not life.

However, in God's infinite wisdom He sent Jesus to destroy the work of the enemy and restore the God-given position and role for which man was created.  This restoration comes because believers are now brought into an amazing new creation, called "in Christ" in the Scriptures.  As Galatians 2:20 declares, "I am crucified in Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live is by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."  The book of Ephesians further explains that in Christ is "every spiritual blessing" and that God "raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."  Through Jesus, and in Jesus' righteousness, we have received His gift to rule as kings on the earth again.  

As the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 reveals the son of the virgin shall be called Emmanuel, God with us. Since man did not and could not obey the law to produce life, God chose to send Jesus to accomplish the necessary work of redemption, which opened the way for the Holy Spirit to produce an indwelling of God Himself in us.  In the awesome miracle of new creation or restoration, we become a temple of the Holy Spirit and God Himself personally and permanently dwells in us.  Through the infinite unity of the Godhead, John 14:23 reveals that if we love Him and obey His word, Jesus and the Father "will come and make our home with him."  We are meant to live in Christ and Christ in us, and through this glorious mystery have God in us.  

We, as kings and priests of God's kingdom, have been given authority and called to rule in this life on the earth (Romans 4:25).  However, fleshly wisdom and doing just what is right in our own eyes will only produce strife and every evil thing.  As the founding fathers of the United States sought to establish a government based on the principles of God's Word (In Isaiah 33 God is declared king, judge, and lawgiver, which represents the three branches of the new government.), George Washington rightly stated that it is "impossible to rule without God."  

Psalm 72 starts with an honest prayer request, "Give the king knowledge of Your way of judging, O God, and the spirit of Your righteousness." (Amp)  God's thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than man's ways and thoughts, so the only way we can "rule" is to have His ways of judging and His discernment of what is right.  It is likewise impossible to parent effectively, to make wise decisions, or to be a godly influence on other people without seeking His wisdom and discernment to know how to handle things in His way.  

Many people are shaken about what is going on in the world and are wondering what God is up to in the current situations.  At least two major things are indicated by the Scriptures.  First, as Jesus prayed in John 17:21, "that they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."  God plan, which will open the hearts of people in the world to believe, is to change the hearts of believers to be in unity. The good news is that Jesus' prayer is sure to be fulfilled and the world will stand in awe as Christians love one another.  Before the Spirit fell in Acts 2, the believers were of one heart and mind, so likewise this unity of beievers will be accompanied by a fresh anointing of the Spirit. Note the anointing promise in Psalm 133 when brothers dwell in unity.  

Secondly, the Spirit was given, as Jesus stated in Acts 1, to make us witnesses of Him to the ends of the earth.  Jesus has paid the price for all men to be saved from the consequences of sin and come to the loving knowledge of God.  He is worthy of His reward (Phillippians 2) for His obedient suffering unto death.  Believers are the light of the world and the salt of the earth that draws others to Jesus.

As the world is challenging Christians and seeking to remove God from the public sector, God is raising up a mighty army that refuses to obey man rather than God.  Notice in Acts 4 how the early Christians, after being threatened by the world to keep quiet about Jesus and His resurrection, cried out to the Holy Spirit to enable them to speak the Word of God with boldness.  God's reply not only refilled them but also shook the house!  So clearly, the second major work of the Spirit today is moving on believers to cry out to God for anointing to be bold witnesses of Jesus Christ.  God is seeking Christian witnesses who refuse to be intiminated but rather speak boldly about the Lord in word and deed.  

Jesus' purpose for declaring that apart from Him we could do nothing, as stated in John 15, is for us to abide in Him and let His word abide in us, that we might bear much fruit, prove to be His disciples, and glorify the Father.  The time has come when the Body of Christ must depend upon God for His ways,  stand in the gap for each other with greater intensity, and be a living epistle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.   Let God be magnified. 

Do What is In Your Power

Anyone overwhelmed by the frontal assaults of the enemy on God's standards for life?  

The very foundations of the purpose of life, such as existence of God, His creating everything, the primary call to know and serve God, the authority of God's Word as truth, the role of marriage, sex, and gender that He established, and His command to love one another, etc. are being openly mocked and deliberately overridden by the new "man-made rules."  How clearly Psalm 11 describes this drastic situation, "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  We are seeing a bad tree bearing bad fruit, much like what happened in Judges when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes."  Man's rebellion leaves the world in a desperate condition.

However, God is not mocked.  This degradation of mankind and the rebellion against God's standards did not take the Lord by surprise.  Notice how Jesus addresses this challenge in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Not only has Jesus overcome the world, but He has passed the victory torch to us.  This is revealed in 1 John 5:4, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that overcomes the world--our faith."  When we were born again and filled with the Spirit, we literally are "Christian" or "little Christs" that walk in the same overcoming life and power of God as Jesus did.  This awesome gift is completely because of what Jesus has done, and has nothing to do with our being good or holy enough to do this. Just as Paul explained to the Romans that those who "receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."  The torch of overcoming power has been given to us.  What are we going to do with it? 

Consider two defintie instructions that give direction.  First, fight the good fight of faith.  If you remember Jesus, after sharing the parable about the persistent widow seeking justice in Luke 18, asks the question, "when the Son of Man comes,will He find faith on the earth?"  So clearly there is a definite need to"build yourselves up on your most holy faith" (Jude 1:20).  We live by faith, not by sight; by what Jesus has done instead of how strong we feel.  Faith, of course, comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God. It is not a little thing to take time each day and give attention to the Word of God.  Come to Him with a hunger and thirst for a "rhema" word like you have to have it or you will die.  There is more truth in that comment than our flesh wants to admit.  We must have faith to please God. 

Secondly, there is a principle with God stated in Proverbs 3:27, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so."  In other words, do what is in your power.  We can't do everything may be true, but it is not an acceptable excuse.  We can do something.  

We have been given authority in the name of Jesus to destroy enemy strongholds.  We have the blood of Jesus and the word of testimony that overcomes Satan.  We can declare the Word of God and let God confirm His truth.  We can submit to God and resist the enemy causing him to flee.  We are not helpless, but rather fully equipped to stand and see God "crush Satan under our (your) feet!"   

Often the "something" we can do is to be faithful in the "little" things so God can do the much.  Pray, read the Word and release His power by declaring His truth.  Put on the armor and stand, taking authority in the name of Jesus over the powers of darkness that you see working.  Unite with other Christians.  There is great power in being one in heart and mind "when two or three agree."  Do not let yourself be weary in well doing, but be refreshed in His presence,  Do what is in your power and see the salvation, or overcoming victory, that the Lord desires and deserves.  He is worthy.                                                                                                           

 

Come - God's Divine Invitation

 God's Word is addressed to your will.  Come.

When we are born again, our spirit becomes new, literally a new creation as we partake of divine nature, God in us.  When we physically go home to the Lord, we will be given a glorified body that will be like Jesus' after the resurrection which may be touched and yet can go through walls.  The challenge of living the Christian life is saving or restoring the soul, renewing the mind to think God's thoughts, allowing God's heart and desires to constrain and realign our emotions.  Then the test is letting this transformation lead us to make wise godly choices. Choose this day whom you will serve.  He invites us to come to Him and choose His life.  

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." according to Jesus in Matthew 11:28.  He reaches out to all those who are in trouble.  Likewise, in John 7:37, He invites those who desire more to come with promises of great rewards, "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink...out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, they shall be satisfied.

The key is that in each case God waits for us to respond to His invitation.  Many are called, but few are chosen. As a perfect gentleman, the Holy Spirit leads and guides those who are willing to come.  God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, but it was up to Moses to "turn aside and see this wonder."  When John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God, two of his disciples turned to Jesus asking where do you live.  Jesus answered, "Come and see."

What about the prophecy in Isaiah 55, "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk wihtout money and without price. True to God's nature and heart to give, He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  So it follows that in this word, His admonition is "Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance."   Almost unbelieveable to our human understanding, our God has such grace and love for us, that this abundant life is "without money and without price."  Nothing we can do to earn it or work for it, His life is freely given, all we have to do is come, buy, eat.    

We live in God's kingdom during one of the most exciting times ever!  As darkness covers the earth, God promises His light will come and His glory will be seen on us.(Isaiah 60) Likewise in Revelation  which is the book that reveals Jesus in His total triumph over sin and all the evil in the world, we join the Holy Spirit calling Jesus to "Come" and repeating His invitation to all to come, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come!  And let him who hears say, 'Come!'  And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17)  Don't be like the people in the parable who made excuses to not attend the wedding feast and had to be replaced with those willing.  Nothing is worth missing out on God's divine invitation to join Him and all He desires to do on the earth today.  The "eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth" (2 Chronicles 16:9) looking for those people who will allow Him to work mightily in and through them.  

The next time you see the word, "Come" in Scripture, realize God is personally inviting you to His place, to a higher experience, to share His overcoming triumph.  Consider these few admonitions:  Psalm 34  Come, you children, listen to Me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.  Psalm 66  Come and see the works of God.  Psalm 95  O Come, let us sing unto the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation.  O Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 100  Come before His presence with singing.  Come.

Sacrifices Today?

 Nobody likes the word, sacrifice.  

Sacrifice sounds like we have to give up something, and goes against our fleshly drive "I want" which motivates us to possess all we can.  But the key is the internal character of sacrifice.  In the Old Testament sacrifices were animals offered as a regulation to deal with sin.  The sacrifice animal had to be without spot or blemish, suggesting that it was good.  The concept is that men would put aside our good choice for the purpose or belief that something greater will happen as a result.  

Obviously Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice lamb who was slain for sin, once for all.  He laid down His perfect life trusting that redeeming sinful man back to God was the greater good.  The Father accepted His sacrifice. Therefore, there is no more a need for sacrifices to be made for sin.  

However, there does remain a call to sacrifice.  Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone.  He who loses his life will find life.  Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends.  We are called to love God and love our neighbor by putting other's needs ahead of our personal desires.  

Yet, man doesn't have the ability or character to do this on our own.  All this is only possible because of accepting Jesus' sacrifice for us.  Then the love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which totally changes us into new creations.  Filled with this new life and the love of God, man's cup overflows and he can respond by pouring out of his life, his talents and abilities, to bless others.   

When I was a kid in the "cold war" days with Russia, one of my fantasies was that the atheistic Communists would line us up in front of a firing squad, asking, "Do you believe in God?"  I would answer, "yes," and die for the Lord.  End of story.  However, God didn't want me to die for the Lord like that, He wanted me to "die" by living for Him in a series of decisions to put His will first.  Each time I laid down my own selfish desires and chose obedience, it was living for Him.   

Based on this understanding, there is one simple response that we want to focus on: giving thanks and praise.   In Hebrews 13:15 it states, "Let us continually offer up the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."  Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5 to "give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  Likewise, in the psalms David reminds us to bless the Lord at all times. However, there is a challenge.

Everyone can easily praise God when things are going well.  The test is what do we do in the midst of trouble and hard times.  There is a reason this is called a "sacrifice" of praise.  Notice how Psalm 56:4 calls praise a freewill offering, "With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to You, I will give thanks and praise to Your name, O Lord, for it is good."  This is a choice your make to offer to God. 

Nothing pleases God more than when we sacrifice our feelings and choose to obey this instruction of the Spirit to praise Him in the hard place.  Do you agree that God is working everything for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)?  Giving thanks and praise demonstrates the faith that God is good and His promises are true.  Imagine a conversation with God like this, "Thank you, for gas prices being above $3 gallon."  "Praise you, God, for letting me stand in this longest line at the grocery store."  "Thank you, Lord, for letting me work with this difficult person, for this boss who wants me to do more and more, for being caught in traffic, etc."  We give God more glory by obeying Him when it is difficult, much like the widow who put the two coins into the offering even though it was all she had to live on. 

The greater good, pleasing God, is always worth the sacrifice because He is worthy of all.  Those aren't just words, He really does deserve praise and thanks at all times.  And you pass the faith test by making this sacrifice to praise Him when your flesh wants to complain and gripe like the Israelites in the desert.  God also points out that your praise lets the demonic kingdom know the hidden wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10) and more personally, who is boss (Lord) of your life.  He is worthy to be praised. 

Sacrifice today!  Choose to make the freewill sacrifice of praise in every situation.  Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you and bring to your remembrance your commitment to God to be His house of thanksgiving and praise.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your sacrifice so we can sacrifice for You.

Do You Hear the Roar? My Covenant Land

 Jesus, the mighty Lion of Judah, is roaring with absolute authority and power today.  A lion roars for three reasons: His roar is to gather His pride.  He roars to answer the challenge of an intruder.  A lion roars to declare ownership of a territory.  Jesus, God's lion, is roaring over America and declaring this is "My covenant land." 

The people on the Mayflower declared their faith toward Almighty God as they placed a cross on the shoreline and released this prayer and prophetic declaration: “We do hereby dedicate this land and ourselves to reach the people within these shores with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to raise up godly generations after us, and with these generations take the kingdom of God to all the earth…from these very shores, the gospel shall go forth, not only to this New World, but the entire world.”  From its beginning, America was established as God's covenanted land for His purpose. 

People in the jungles know that the roar of a lion can be heard five miles away.  It follows that the roar of the Lion of Judah is far reaching, to unite all those who belong to His pride. This coming together will only be produced as a fruit of God's kind of love, loving one another as the Father loved Jesus.  Jesus stated this need to love one another in John 13 as He continued to love Judas who had already agreed to betray Him!  Only through an infusion of the supernatural love of God will all believers demonstrate what Jesus purposed, that we would be one as He and the Father are one.  Even though the world exudes the darkness of division, strife, and hatred, God promises that the light of His love will overcome and be most visible in the midst of the darkness. 

God gives grace to the humble.  When we acknowledge our narrow, selfish motives of only loving those who agree with us and humbly ask for His love toward all believers. we can then receive a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit who plants "the love of God in our hearts" (Romans 5:5).  Jesus came to the world because God loved the world and desired all men to be set free from sin and the consequences of sin, yet we know the world and even His own did not receive Him.  However, the promise remains, as well as the joy that is set before us, that according to John 13:35, when we love each other God's way, the world will know we are His disciples.  He who calls us is faithful and He will do it. 

Secondly, the Lion of Judah is roaring against the intruders.  Sin and rebellion has entered the heart of man.  God, in His gooness and love, created man in His image and likeness and allowed us to enjoy His fullness, His abundant life.  Yet man in his pride has rebelled.  In Jeremiah 2, God asks what injustice has He done that would cause men to turn from Him.  Man has defiled the land by choosing to fall for the temptation to "be like God" and live according to the flesh doing things his own way.  Jesus came to rescue man from the bondage of sin by nailing the consequences on the cross.  He became the Way for all men to repent and be restored to right standing with God forever.  

Jesus defeated the devil who encouraged this rebellion by dying on the cross and then made a public show of him (Colossians 2:15).  Jesus came to destroy the work of the evil one and He did.  In union with His victory, we His saints will likewise overcome "by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even to the death." (Revelation 12:11)  He is training our hands for war and anointing His church to fight the good fight of faith, by standing in the armor and using the supernatural weapons provided.  The final battle will clearly show that Jesus is Lord of all and no weapon formed against His people shall prosper.

Thirdly, the earth is the Lords's and the fullness thereof.  Jesus, the Lion of Judah, has marked His territory, and even though there is a challenge in the battle ahead, there is none like Him.   Revelation declares "The kingdoms of the earth have become the kingdoms of the Lord."  The book of Revelation is "the revelation of Jesus Christ," who manifests all God is and does.  He confirms His Word with signs and wonders, to keep His covenant forever.  

Therefore, His roar is releasing new victories, new positions of authority, sounds of bones rattling as they come to life to reign on the earth, and the very breath of God in His people.  Jesus exhorts man to "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  This roar is also establishing the purpose and destiny of America as His covenant land.  God is not mocked, America will accomplish the design and eternal plan for which He founded it.  

The Lion is also the Lamb who is worthy of it all.  Let us rejoice and be glad as we respond wholeheartedly to the roar of our Lord Jesus Christ.      

You Take Control

Take control.  The ball is in your hands.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ overcame sin, sickness, and all the power of the enemy. As a result, He has been given all authority.  As Matthew 28 clearly reveals “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  The key challenge is the next two words, "Go therefore."

Philippians 2 reminds us that God the Father was pleased to accept the humbling obedience of Jesus "even unto death" and rewarded Him with the commanding position and name which are above all.  "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth."  Go in My name and make disciples.  Can you see the excitement and awe of the disciples (in Luke 10:17) "Even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 

God rules on the earth through His people.  If my people...  Just as God gave donimion to Adam in Genesis 1:28, through the finished work of Jesus we now have the authority to rule again the way man was created to function.  Romans 5:17 declares this amazing truth "much more [than sin causing death for all men] those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."  He has gifted us to rule. 

Jesus not only took our place in carrying the overwhelming price for sin, He also brought us with Him to enjoy the glorious victory of sharing divine life forever.  Ephesians 2 shows how we died with Christ, rose with Christ, and are now seated with Him in heavenly places.  This is not  a pie in the sky verse, but rather the wonderful accomplishment of what Jesus achieved for us.  Salvation, or deliverance from sin and all its consequences, is now.  Our position of authority has been given and we are to "go therefore" and exercise this dominion using the name above all names.  Bind and loose, the gates of hell cannot stop us.  

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6)  Many Christians do not realize the "glorious liberty of the children of God" that Paul talks about in Romans 8, which even the creation waits to enjoy.  How are we going to come to know and learn to use this awesome calling to set My people free?

The answer is God.  The Holy Spirit has been sent to bear witness to our relationship with the Father and to reveal Jesus, causing us to know the truth of all He has done and said.  He will lead us and show us the way.  Jesus said it was better for us to have the Holy Spirit than if he were present physically on the earth.  We have the ultimate teacher and guide.  He will even teach us how to listen and obey, to will and to work for His pleasure.

Now is the time to do something.  What do you see that is wrong and out of order in your sphere of influence?  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the plan how to attack the problem.  Then obey His prompting and take authority, "In Jesus' name, this situation _______________ must change.  I command this __________ to go.  In the authority given to me as a believer in Jesus Christ, I release the restoring power of God to change this.  It shall be so (Amen), in the name of Jesus."  This is just a sample declaration, but all we need to do is follow the words and guiding of the Spirit to declare your victory.  It is not as important that you have the right words as it is that you know your authority and stand.  Even the armor of God scriptures, found in Ephesians 6, states "Having done all to stand, stand therefore."

God reigns through His people.  Let Him rule through you and your words!  As Jesus taught us to pray, Come, thy Kingdom.  Be done, will of God.  These petitions are actualy commands He desires us to make.  Speak life through declaring the Word of God and He will establish it.  God has given you the Holy Spirit to enable you to take control.  God and all heaven's power is activated as you take control.   

Who Is In Charge?

Do you know the sun is 1.3 million times bigger than the earth?  It is hard to even imagine the vast difference in magnitutde.  Likewise, God is infinitely more powerful than His created archangel who fell from heaven, Lucifer or better known as the devil.  There really is no comparison, no contest, as to their relative power and ability.  Yet there is a spiritual battle.  Why and what is it really about? 

The question is who is in charge.  God obviously created the earth, man, and all the universe so it rightfully is His.  In Genesis 1:26-28, God creates man in His own image and likeness, and this created man is instructed to subdue the earth and given dominion over every living thing.  In short, God gave His authority to rule life on earth to man.

In sequence, Adam and Eve gave that authority to the serpent in the garden when they chose to obey him rather than God.  Romans 6 reminds us that who you obey is who has dominion over you.  There is a reason why when the devil tempted Jesus in the desert, he could say, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me."  In losing his authority, man also lost his pure nature to rule in harmony with God's purposes.  Now his thoughts, emotions, and will are poluted with the selfish desires of the temptation to "be like God" or in simple terms "me first."

The only possible way man could have this authority restored would be for a man to be without sin so there was no Satanic right to dominate him, and for someone to pay for the "death penalty" that sin rightfully deserved.  From the moment man sinned and gave up his authority, God revealed His plan to restore what was lost, by declaring the woman's Seed shall "bruise your head and you shall bruise His heal." (Genesis 3:15)  The good news is that is exactly what 1 John 3:8 assures us, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."   The last words of Jesus ultimately establish that  this goal is accomplished, "It is Finished." 

Understanding this foundation, the question remains, who is in charge of you?  What rules in your life?  Jesus has defeated the devil and taken back the keys for man to rule again, "I have given you the keys to the kingdom of heaven" with authority to bind and loose on earth.  However, it is up to us to choose God's revealed truth over our fleshly ideas, to walk according to the Word of God rather than fallen man's natural thoughts and feelings.  Romans 8 clearly delineates that flesh is death, and spirit is life and peace.  Jesus stated that His Word is spirit and life.  God sets before us life and death, telling us to choose life.  We have to choose.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 explains that the warfare is in our mind and heart.  We have divinely powered weapons to pull down strongholds and arguments and every high thing that exalts itself above the knowledge of God.  Could it be that God is waiting on us to use these weapons?  Does He wait for a man to stand in the gap so He can save the land?  He waits to be gracious to you.

Jesus reveals what authority He has provided in Luke 10:19.  "Behold, I have given you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."  Likewise, in Philippians 2:10, Paul points out that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth.  These are not only promises, but also spiritual reality of what we are going to do.  Notice what happens in Revelation 12:10, the saints overcome the accuser of the brethren (the devil) by "the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death."  Man will triumph, in the name of Jesus, the power of His blood, and through speaking His Word.

Jesus chose you, you didn't choose Him, and He has a purpose for you to bear fruit. (John 15:16)  His heart's desire is for you to overcome and He is commited to standing with you to bring it to pass. After Jesus walked on earth and defeated the enemy, He sent His Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth.  God will overcome the world through His church, through you and me. We need to let Him teach us how to stand in His authority and let Him move. 

We are not begging and pleading with God to act.  Instead we have been given God's own authority to use against everything which exalts itself above the knowledge of God.  God will move when we declare with faith His revealed truth.   Notice how the Gospel of Mark ends, "and they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word through accompanying signs."  So instead of begging God for forgiveness, we can declare "Thank you for your forgiveness."  Rather than pray hoping for healing, we state, "Thank you, Jesus, for Your stripes which heal me."  In all situations, we remember that Jesus' last words on the cross are not idle, but rather the ultimate deliverance of mankind, "It is finished." 

Life and death are in the power of the tongue.  We are led by the Spirit, according to 2 Corinthians 2:14, to always walk in triumph.  The Spirit brings to mind what Jesus said, so we agree by declaring what God has said rather than what we think or feel.  Our job is to speak God's Word, His job is to complete the action.    

This principle is applied to the bigger picture also.  As Christians unite in praying God's Word boldly, God is free to move in the world.  So instead of letting ourselves feel discouraged about the lies and anti-Christ movements seemingly dominating this country, we stand boldly and declare, "Jesus, in your name, no weapon formed against this land shall prosper, and we release your overcoming power to destroy enemy strongholds and restore righteousness to this land.   

Through Jesus' substitutionary death and resurrection for us, we have been raised with Him and are seated in heavenly places, now having His full authority once again to rule in this life (Romans 4:25).  In short, we (you and I) are in charge.