Weak, But Really Strong!

 Most of us don't feel like we are that good or doing very much for the Kingdom of God, yet the bottom line is that we are precious to the Lord.  Maturity in the Lord isn't always how much we accomplish or how great people think we are, but rather how much we learn to "walk humbly with Him."  

"When I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12:10)  Paul was aware of his weakness and actually declared that when He realized his weakness, it forced him to depend upon God, which ironically, made him strong.  2 Corinthians 4:16 sums it up this way, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."  All life is designed to motivate us to turn away from trusting our flesh and instead learn to walk by faith trusting the supernatural life of God being manifested in and through us.  

In Psalm 8, God speaks of the majesty and greatness of the heavens, the moon, and the stars, which makes the psalmist cry out, "What is man that you are mindful or him?"  Compared to the infinite wisdom of God's creation, we seem like less than a speck of dust.  Then in almost utter amazement, he declares, "Yet man is crowned with glory and majesty. You have made him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put everything under his feet."

Who could possibly be up for such a task?  Absolutely, only with God's power!  Therefore, the bottom line is that we are meant to be constantly connected with the power of God, walking in faith of what God's Word declares, letting the anointing of the Holy Spirit break the yoke if we are to rule over the work of God's hands.  In short, this connection is prayer.

Have you heard the expression, sticks out like a sore thumb?  If you ever had one, you know how it just seems to get hit or rubbed wrong all the time.  You can't do anything without noticing it.  That is the way prayer is meant to be.  Everything and every need, maybe every breath, is meant to keep us in constant touch with the Lord.  In Ephesians 6, Paul reveals the protection of the armor of God, but what is it that holds it all in place?  Yes, the final instruction is to "pray at all times in the Spirit...be alert with all perseverance."  Our awareness of needing God and walking with Him is meant to be an "at all times" experience, just a simple talking and walking with Him through everything.  It is in this dependent relationship that we are strong.   

Need Ammunition, Not a Ride!

When the USA offered to evacuate President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, his reply was "We need ammunition, not a ride!"  God doesn't want us to hide or be removed from trouble but rather has given us the ammunition, the divine power, to overcome the enemy and all his tactics.  God sees you the same way He spoke to Gideon when he was cowardly hiding from the Philistines, "You mighty man of valor!" 

There is a strong word in Psalm 149., "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edge sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written.  This is an honor for all His godly ones.  Praise the Lord!"  The ball is now in our court.  Clearly there is a spiritual battle of gigantic proportions going on with abortion, perversion, lust, greed, persecution, violence, drugs, murder, lies, etc.  The spiritual forces behind these actions are stronger than human nature and natural defenses. We must overcome using God's power and ammunition.  

Just as Jesus pointed out that He has not left us orphans but has equipped us with the Holy Spirit, we have His Word and weapons of divine power to overcome every attack of the enemy.  Praising God and declaring the Word bind and overcome the enemy that Jesus has already judged.  John 16:11 states that the ruler of this world (the devil) is judged. It is our honor or gifted position as His body and representatives of earth to execute that judgment. 

We are called to rule in this life, not hide from it.  Through Jesus living inside us, we are the light of the world that overcomes darkness.  Yes, sin, sickness, and death reign in this world, but notice the victory that Romans 5:17 declares, "For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."  Much more we reign.  Where sin abounds, grace abounds more.

Rather than just get disgusted and frustrated by what we see on the news and in the world, we are the watchmen God has set up to do something about it.  It is a day to build ourselves up in our most holy faith, pray in the spirit, put on the armor, of God and take authority of the power of darkness. Jesus in Luke 1019 told His disciples, "I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."  God inhabits or is enthroned in His praises.  Praising God and giving thanks releases God's power.  Declaring the Word establishes life--life and death are in the power of the tongue.  Fight the good fight of faith. 

Stand in faith and prayer against the onslaught of the enemy and all that deceived, sinful man brags about against God.  And greater goal, in the process of exercising His power and authority in healing and deliverance, our hearts will grow in knowing Him and the power of His resurrection.  Yes, the ultimate goal is knowing and pleasing God.  Praise God forever! 

Servants are Blessed

I'm Free!  Free to be a servant of the Lord, goes the simple chorus.  Yet, our independent flesh wants to be the boss and not have to listen to anyone, not even God, much less be a servant.  However, clearly man's ways are not God's ways.

In Psalm 143:12, David declares victory over his enemies and great blessings because, "I am Your servant."  He trusts God to teach him to do His will, because "to You I lift up my soul."  Our soul is our inner self, so to lift up your soul means you choose to set you mind and heart and your desires on what pleases God. In other words, lay down what you think and change to desire what He asks, in order to receive the goodness and overcoming life that flows from pleasing your master.  

Psalm 143 continues to remind us of God's faithfulness and righteousness, "Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!" and "Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for I trust in You."  As sure as God is faithful and righteous, He honors those who honor Him.  As David declares, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all of the days of my life."  

A servant looks to his master to know what to do.  Verse 10 is the prayer of a servant, "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God."  Nothing motivates like having a good reason, and in the next verse God gives it.  "Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me."  All the Holy Spirit leading and reviving of abundant life is because that is the way to glorify His name.  Even Psalm 23 gives the same reason, "lead me in the way of righteousness for Thy name's sake."  Do it all for Him, He is worthy.

Servants have a heritage, as expressed in Isaiah 54:17.  "No weapon formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.   As servants of God, we are protected from all the power of the enemy and have authority to condemn (render powerless) all those who speak against us.  Servants of God are directed to say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."  Thank you, Jesus, it is well with my soul.  

Hope is Eternal

Hope overcomes defeat.  When our favorite sports team has a losing season, we say wait until next year.  In hard times we console ourselves by thinking tomorrow will be better.  Natural man needs to look forward to things getting better.  There is a quote credited to Hal Lindsay, "People can live 40 days without food, 3 days without water, 8 minutes without air, but only a second without hope."  While the exact duration may vary, the point is that hope is essential for life.  

Just what is hope?  A dictionary states, "a feeling of desire for something and confidence in the possibility of its fulfilment," but a simpler definition is that we trust things will work out for good.  We expect to make it through and be okay. 

The words in Romans 14:4 give Christians a strong foundation for this vital quality, "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."  God's Word was written to give us hope, a confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises.  However, it also includes the admonition to persevere.  Since faith is the evidence or substance of things hoped for, likewise, this "patience" or "endurance" quality is required.  Faith and patience inherit the promises.  

There is a place of rest or peace that comes from setting our mind on the spirit, on the truth of God's Word (which is spirit and life), and holding fast to that promise through whatever challenges and conflicting thoughts may come.  We can choose to take our thoughts captive to obey Christ (and the promises He has given), knowing that His words have divine power to overcome all the lies of the flesh or of the enemy.  A good way to hold on is to speak the Word out loud.  Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.  Just as God spoke the world into existence, our words carry life or death.  Choose life by speaking God's truth and refusing to give place to the negative.

Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper and comforter.  One of the ways He helps us is by leading us to truth and bringing into remembrance the words of Jesus.  When we hear the voice of the Spirit and settle it in our hearts, this becomes a sure anchor of hope that He will confirm His Word.  We can stop striving or worrying about the situation.  "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:13)

Psalm 62:5 instructs us to "wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him."  Take time to let the Word of God replace our human thinking and choose to trust Him to do what He says.  Then hope will be so much more than the wishful thinking that "hope springs eternal" suggests, but rather an eternal rock upon which we stand unshakeable.  As a God of hope, He is pleased, according to Hebrews 10, when we hold fast our confidence to the end.  The Spirit will empower you and strengthen your hope until you see the fulfillment of His promises in all your situations.  Hope is eternal.        

Purpose of Education

 "What do you know?" a friend would ask as his greeting instead of  "how are you?"  The truth is most of us "know" a lot of things, facts, ideas, feelings, etc., but it was always tough to give a specific answer.  Maybe a better question is "What do you know that impacts your life?" rather than asking for a volume of unrelated facts that one could share. 

From infancy a child is learning how to live in this world and gaining instruction to shape his life.  In a general sense this is called education.  Education is defined by Noah Webster, "The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners; education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations."  More than a series of subjects, facts and methods, education affects our understanding, the formation of character, and the way we prepare for being useful in life.

Since God created the world and all that is in it, Psalm 19 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."   The underlying principle is that everything created and rightly understood will show the glory of God.  Facts lead to conclusions which give understanding.  All truth, every aspect of creation, shows the wisdom and eternal power of God (Romans 1:20).   

This truth is further declared in Colossians 1:16-17, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." Therefore, it follows that the study of all things would show His ways and His nature.  From God's perspective, Colossians 2:3 reveals "Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Therefore, the purpose of all wisdom and knowledge is to reveal and come to know Jesus Christ.

Likewise, Jesus explained that the ultimate purpose of life is "that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)  Everything else that does not lead to a greater knowledge of Him is wasted effort and deception leading to destruction.  

Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."  Likewise, "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord." according to Psalm 111:10.  Anything that is built upon any other foundation than respect and awe for the wisdom and authority of God will not stand. 

Fallen nature's thoughts and ways are not God's thoughts and ways.  In order to know God we are told "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)  Jesus promised if we continue in His Word, we would know the truth.  The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. Therefore, the purpose of education is to have the mind and heart enlightened by truth to know Jesus and to be changed into a "new creature" who walks in His ways.