Despise the Shame

What do you see? 

Jesus, according to Hebrews 12:2, was so focused on completing God's will (even unto death) that he "despised the shame" of all the ridicule, beating, torture and pain of death on the cross.  There is both a principle of life and an example that challenges every Christian.  So, let's look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, to learn this lesson.

Whenever we set our heart to obey God or to do something for the Lord, there will always be obstacles and challenges designed to distract and prevent us from moving forward.  We have to learn to despise the shame, in other words, think nothing of the cost compared to the glory of God that comes from obedience.  

Consider the comments of Paul, who also went through beatings, shipwrecks, false accusations and imprisonment, saying on one hand to count the cost and then on the other hand declaring, "the cost is nothing" compared to the glory of God to be revealed.  The point is that there is always a cost, but we have to keep our focus on the prize and not let the cost deter us from accomplishing the God-given task.  Because our flesh may get discouraged by circumstances and quit, God warns us in Galatians 6:9, "let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." 

Therefore, be encouraged.  God, who is always faithful, will give you both the will and the power to do what He asks. Choose to ignore and think nothing of the effort or abuse that you may have to endure so that you press on to receive the prize.  Faith and patience (same Greek word for endurance) inherit the promises.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and refuse to be side-tracted by the shame or cost.  You will succeed.    

Weary? Never Quit!

What is God saying to the church today? 

The Lord has been showing me the importance of putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and taking authority over the works of the enemy, especially in the areas that the Lord has exposed to me.  It is easy to forget and get into the complaining and frustrated mode where the evil around me starts to depress me, rather than see this as a call to arms, to take the God-given authority that He has entrusted to believers to resist the enemy and cause him to flee.  Maybe we have fought for a while, but haven't seen instant results, so we get weary and slowly fade.

  So my Word this morning is from Galatians 6:9, "let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."  Faith and patience (same Greek word as endurance) inherit the promises.  We all know there is a spiritual battle going on, but for some reason (My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge) we get distracted or worn out and quit fighting the good fight.  In my spirit I sense that one of the major things God is doing in the church is uniting us to stand together as one in the authority of the name of Jesus.  Psalm 8:6 reminds us (as does Luke 10:19) that He has put all things under our feet.

 The word for church, "Ecclesia," means the called out ones, but it also has a political foundation from its root meaning in Greek, of those assembled to rule in the affairs of men.  Romans 5:17 would support this, "much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."

  

  It is not a little thing to put on the armor - there is a real battle going on.  Gird your loins with the truth of His Word.  Thank the Lord Jesus for the breastplate of His righteousness.  Set your heart to prepare your feet to walk in the Gospel of peace to all.  Above all, choose to stand in faith that Jesus has overcome which quenches all the fiery darts of the enemy.  And rejoice as you put on the helmet of salvation, remembering that He has delivered you from all the consequences of your sin.  Last, but not least, take up the sword of the Spirit by declaring the Word of God.  When you speak the Word you release God's power and allow the Spirit of God to move. He is waiting to be gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18).  What specific Scriptures are you declaring today?  May I share a few of my favorites:

    Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph, 

    My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory,

    By His stripes I am healed,

    He covers the righteous with favor as with a shield,

    No weapon formed against me shall prosper,

    He makes all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,

    Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you,

    At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven, on the earth, and beneath the earth, 

    Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

 Why should we continue to be diligent to fight?  My final exhortation is bedrock, because of Jesus.  Hebrews 12:3 declares "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."  Or consider the joy of Jesus speaking His praise to you as expressed in Revelation 2:3, "you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary."