Better and Better Forever!

A friend of mine suggested that Christians should be the most joyful people on earth.  He is right, of course.  Jesus pictured His life in us (John 15) like a vine and its fruitful branches pointing out "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." 

My joy and pleasure as a young student pilot just learning to fly was to watch planes take off and land graciously.  One day in a dream I was laying by the runway of a busy airport and these huge planes were lifting off and coming in right next to me.  In my heart and mind, this was close to the greatest feeling in the whole world.  Then a small voice that I recognized spoke, "You know what is so great about your life in the Lord, it is going to get better and better forever!"

Knowing Jesus and His eternal love and peace is "my exceeding joy" (Psalm 43:4).   Nothing compares to being right with God.  Even though we may not always physically "see or feel" it, Peter describes our faith as "joy unspeakable and full of glory" leading to salvation. (1 Peter 1:8).  There is no greater joy than knowing the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus Christ.  David, after sinning with Bathsheba and then repenting, calls on God to "restore to him the joy of Your salvation."  

Jesus told us in the master and steward parable of Matthew 25 that the reward for being faithful in little was to be given much and to "enter into the joy of your Lord."  Doing the will of God or being faithful is key to be like David who stated his secret for a victorious life, "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."  Psalm 16 continues by giving this truth, in Your presence is fullness of joy.  

Nehemiah 6:8 further reveals that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Jesus was able to endure the unimaginable suffering of being rejected, beaten, mocked, and crucified on the cross because of, as Hebrews 12:2 states, the joy that was set before Him.  That joy was seeing you receive forgiveness and be with Him forever.  We are called to walk in the joy of the Lord.  Abiding in Him and having the fruit of the Spirit, including joy and peace, we are able to likewise always be led in triumph through all adversities.

 It follows then, that Satan who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, wants to steal our joy.  If the enemy can get us to focus on our problems and become complainers instead of grateful servants, we become like the Israelites in the wilderness.  We become weak rather than strong overcomers.  In the Matthew 24 comments about the challenges of the end times, Jesus warns that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.  Please give your problems to the Lord with thanksgiving, as Philippians 4:6 instructs, and let Him keep your mind and heart with peace.

Watch and be wise!  Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.  You know the enemy's plans.  He wants to steal your joy so he can get you when you are weak in your own strength. However, you overcome by standing on God's faithful promises even in times of trial.  Romans 5 encourages us to even be joyful in our tribulations, which produces perseverance, character, and hope because of the love of God that the Spirit has poured into our hearts.  Likewise, Romans 8 points out that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  The Lord delights in the welfare of His servants and has made provision for us to overcome in His overcoming victory.  Be strong in the Lord.

What a glorious life.  We overcome by faith (1 John 1:5) in this life on earth and will enjoy His glorious presence and fullness of joy forever and ever in the next age.  What more could God do to give us abundant life?  It is great now by faith in His Word, and will get better and better forever because, as Ephesians 3:20 reminds us, how great God is and how excellent His power is toward us. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.  

How to Partner with God: Our Part and His Part

One of the most amazing characteristics about God and His love is that He desires to be partners with us.  In 1 John 1:3, John declares what he has seen and heard, "that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son."  A simple definition of fellowship is two fellows in one ship.  Can you imagine that the Father and Jesus are in the same boat as you? You are never alone but are partners with God in whatever you do or wherever you go.  

Romans 8:17 reminds us that we are "joint heirs" with Christ and everything He deserves for willingly laying down His life is also ours.  Hebrews 2:11 likewise points out that "He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one."  Since we have this awesome partnership, what is our part or responsibility and what does He do.

Perhaps Jesus answers this question in a simple way when He taught us how to pray. " Our Father, hallowed be Thy Name..." It is our part to hallow His name.  Webster defines to hallow as "to regard as holy, to venerate, to declare as sacred.  When we do our part which is to hallow or declare who He is in the names He has revealed, God who always was and always will be "I Am," will naturally do His part.  Amos asks "How can two walk together unless they agree?"

Notice these examples of our part by agreeing with His revealed nature in His names, and His part by replying and being that to us.  

We say Jehovah Tsidkenu, You are my righteousness        He replies, I Am

We say Jehovah M'kiddish, You are my sanctifier               He replies, I Am

We say Jehovah Shalom, You are my peace and well-being     He replies, I Am

We declare, You are my strength        He replies I Am

We say Jehovah Rapha, You are my healer      He replies, I Am

In troubles, we declare You are my deliverer     He replies I Am

We say Jehovah Rohi, the Lord is my shepherd     He replies I Am

We see patterns all through Scripture that when man does his part, we allow the I Am God to be that for us. When Israel was challenged in the wilderness by Amalek, Joshua led the army as Moses lifted his hands to God in praise.  When Moses' arms were up, Joshua and Israel prevailed, when Moses lowered his arms, Amalek prevailed.  At the Red Sea when Moses lifted up the rod of God, the great I Am parted the waters for Israel to cross on dry land.  

We have the same principle of our part and His part in overcoming the enemy.  God tells us to put on the armor of God and stand in the authority of Jesus, then the I Am God will fight for us, keeping His promises (given in 1 Peter 5:10) that He will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.  Jesus gives us "all power and authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt us."  Finally, this is confirmed in Revelation 12:11, we overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb (His part) and the word of our testimony (our part).   

Why does Isaiah 30:18 say God waits to be gracious to us and show us mercy?  Many are called but few are chosen.  He waits for us to respond to His invitation, to open the door.  God rewards those who diligently seek Him by being a doer of the Word.  Seek Him.  Pray, fast, give in secret. What you sow you will reap.  He waits for you to humble yourself so He can and will lift you up.                       

Choose this day to do your part to partner with God, because, as 2 Chronicles 16:9 declares, God is searching for the one whose heart is right so He can do His part which is to show His strength and might in our behalf.  The greatness of our partnership with the I Am God is shown in Ephesians which declares that His goal is to be all in all.