The Key

"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."
                                                                                                                                    Isaiah 33:6




There are times in our spiritual journey in which we reach an impasse in the natural. It would seem that there are no easy solutions or answers for the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Human nature compels us at these times to dig deeper and try to come up with solutions in our own strength. Yet, the Spirit of God compels us to draw from the pool of wisdom that can only come from Jesus.

He is the One who holds the keys to our future and to every circumstance that has a need. At times, He even orchestrates the events in our lives to be such that human reasoning and rationale will not suffice. These are the enigmas that can only be unlocked by the supernatural keys of Jesus.

In the natural, it doesn't feel like a blessing to be in such a position. And yet, it truly is. God appears when all other help fails. With Him comes wisdom, knowledge, and strength. This is how we learn firsthand that God can do all things. Experientially, this is how we become stedfast in our walk with Christ.

There are times when we need doors opened for us and there are times when we need them to be closed. Jesus holds the keys that both lock and unlock. The book of Revelation says, "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts, no one can open" (Revelation 3:7).

Keys represent power and authority. Jesus is the Only One qualified to receive the title deed to the kingdom and that is exactly what God gave to Him. He bought back ownership of the earth, which Adam had forfeited to Satan at the fall. Jesus' keys hold redemption and restoration of all things.

In the Old Testament, when God's presence travelled in the Tabernacle of Moses, there were two doors: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Later, in the book of Revelation, the Holy Place that John sees is a throne room. He writes, "And I beheld in the midst of the throne...I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God [the sevenfold Holy Spirit] who have been sent [on duty far and wide] into all the earth... and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands" (Revelation 5:6;11).

The second door is the Most Holy Place. Again, John writes, "And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power" (Revelation 15:8). The second door  enters into a place where God illuminates the space around Himself, filled with displays of His glory and power.

There are times in our lives when we need a fresh vision of Jesus and access to His Holy Place. This comes through thanksgiving, praise, and worship. Almighty God is seeking people who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth. This communion with God is intimate fellowship and a direct union.

There are other times when we need access to God's Most Holy Place. Entrance into the Most Holy Place only comes after we have totally submitted to the righteous law of God that never changes. True worship emanates through complete reverence. It is our attitude that truly enters into a worship that is pure.

This is the place where only God dwells. It is not the place where we seek blessings or power or healing. It is where we come to God for God's sake. We approach Him; we worship Him; we bow before Him; and we enjoy Him. Then comes revelation.

All the wisdom and knowledge we will ever need can be found in the revelation God gives to us. The book of Colossians tells us that in Jesus "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). The combination of faith and knowledge will make our souls rich.

Knowing God means loving God. Loving God means worshipping Him. Worshipping Him means moving beyond our thoughts and emotions to connect our spirit with His. There is nothing more thrilling or liberating or empowering than this.

Jesus holds the answers for every one of life's issues or problems. Actually, He is the answer. He is the One who brings peace and joy and comfort. In Him are wisdom and knowledge and insight. He has the power and authority to do all things. If your circumstances linger it is because God will do whatever is necessary to bring you to a place where His fullness of life dwells.

He loves us with abandon and always views our lives through the prism of mercy. If you have a need today, run to Him! Dwell in His presence. Truly, Jesus is the Key!


"Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
                                                                                                                                   Matthew 7:7-8

The King's Heart

"Then Mordecai sent back word to Esther: 'Just because you live in the king's palace, don't think that out of all the Jewish people you alone will escape. If you keep quiet at this time, someone else will help and save the Jewish people, but you and your father's family will all die. And who knows, you may have been chosen queen for just such a time as this.'

Then Esther sent this answer to Mordecai: 'Go and get all the Jewish people in Susa together. For m,y sake, fast; do not eat or drink for three days, night and day. I and my servant girls will also fast. Then I will go to the king, even though it is against the law, and if I die, I die.'

The king asked Esther again, 'What are you asking for? I will give it to you. What is it you want? I will give you as much as half my kingdom.'

Then Queen Esther answered, 'My king, if you are pleased with me, and if it pleases you, let me live. This is what I ask. And let my people live, too. This is what I want.'"
                                                                                                              (Esther 4:13-16; 7:2-3)




The story of Esther is a dramatic and passionate one that occurred in the fifth century B.C. This drama, however, was a spiritual one that included: the evil Haman, the courageous Mordecai, the powerful King Xerxes, and a determined young girl who happened to be the queen. The outcome of Queen Esther's perseverance was that millions of Jews from 127 countries were saved. This happened all because Esther understood how to move the heart of the king.

There are so many aspects of Esther's story that parallels our lives today. Even though we don't live in Persia or don a royal regalia, we still have a direct access to our King, who also happens to be our Father. Not just any king, mind you, but our communion is with the King of Kings.

This relationship gives us special privileges that suppressed the privileges of those who are not His children. We have the distinct honor of inviting our King to occupy and reign over every facet of our lives. When we are confident in our position, we do not shrink back. Instead, we "come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive His mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

God grants the desires of our hearts when they are for our good and in alignment with His will for our lives. John explains it this way, "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.  And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have  [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him" (1 John 5:14-15).

God also responds to prayers that are sincere and heartfelt. Sincerity moves Him. James tells us that the "earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power" (James 5:16).

While we know that God has given us the victory, we also see through the story of Esther that there will also be a battle. Haman is the diabolical antagonist that opposes Esther and all the Jews. If you were to peruse all the pages of Scripture, you would not be able to find one good thing that is written about him.

Haman had a position of authority as he was the king's right-hand man. He possessed an insatiable ego that craved the worship of every living thing.  He also had an inexhaustible hatred for God's chosen people and he purposely devised a date for their genocide.

The person of Haman depicts the image of Satan. Both long to be worshipped and existed to persecute the promised people of God. Satan hates the presence of Jesus in the world and will do all he can to "steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10).  Especially now "He is filled with anger because he knows his time is short" (Revelation 12:12).

The laws in Esther's days prohibited her from entering into the inner courtyard of the king without being invited to do so.  But, Mordecai encouraged her to take the risk and do the right thing. This was her response, "Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the king's palace, facing the king's hall" (Esther 5:1).

The king was pleased when he looked up and saw Esther. His heart was touched when he saw his beloved. He responded and, "held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand, so Esther went forward and touched the end of it" (Esther 5:2).

When the king's heart was moved, what followed was the collapse of Satan's house of cards. All the diabolical planning and scheming came to nought. Not only that, but then Esther's enemy was destroyed!

Her story reminds us just how important our lives really are. Even though we are ordinary people, we have an extraordinary God. He has pulled us from obscurity and given us a position of royalty. He has clothed us in royal robes and given us the privilege of making our requests known to Him.

God is faithful and He is good. The story of our lives extend far beyond all that we can see or know. God always has a good purpose and a good plan and He is forever "working things together for our good" (Romans 8:28). Run after God and pursue Him with all your heart. This is what moves the King's heart!


                                               "He's after your heart."
                                                          Hosea 6:6
                                                                                                                

Look Again!

"And Elijah said to Ahab, 'Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of abundance of rain'. So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, 'Go up now, look toward the sea'. And he went up and looked and said, 'There is nothing'.

Elijah said, 'Go again seven times'.

And, at the seventh time, the servant said, 'A cloud as small as a man's hand is arising out of the sea'.

And Elijah said, 'Go up, say to Ahab, "Hitch your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you".

In a little while, the heavens were black with wind-swept clouds, and there was a great rain."

                                                                                                                            (1 Kings 18:41-45)

Three years prior to this event, Elijah announced that his word would stop the rain and it would only be his word that would start it again (1 Kings 17:1). In this, he was not declaring that he was all-powerful; instead, he was declaring the power of God exhibited through prayers. His posture in prayer reflected great humility, and it was obvious that his relationship with God was very intimate. His primary concerns were for the people of Israel and that God would be glorified in the midst of their circumstances.

This particular day for Elijah had been long and intense. God had spoken to him and told him that He was going to send rain. Before He did, however, came a divine confrontation. The purpose of this confrontation was to expose idols, as well as to show the people of Israel the places of their spiritual compromise.

Elijah's prayers were going to be delayed this time. Despite the fact that he had seen God answer prayers instantaneously before, this time would prove to be different. So, he sent his servant seven times to the Mediterranean Sea to report any changes in the weather. The first report was negative, as were the five that followed. Literally, the servant saw nothing. That is, until he looked again.

Because Elijah was a prophet, the words he spoke were very important. The servant's reaction, however, was of equal importance. Elijah's servant took his responsibility very seriously. When he was told to look for rain, he immediately responded by going to look (1 Kings 18:43).

Both of them had to be engaged in what God was doing in order to see their miracle. This is because miracles come as a result of our obedience to God's Word. And, typically, this does not occur without some sort of testing or divine confrontation in our lives.

Most of us assume that our hearts are pure and that our thoughts are in alignment with God's Word. The prophet, Jeremiah, paints us a completely different picture. He says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]? I, the Lord, search the mind and try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings" (Jeremiah 17:9-10).

God searches our minds and He tries our hearts so that He knows exactly how to reward us. God gives to us according to our actions. For us to truly know ourselves requires much effort. We have to read the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us.

The prophet, Hosea, instructs us as well. He says, "Sow for yourselves according to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God); reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, to inquire for and of Him, and to require His favor, till He comes and teaches you righteousness and rains His righteous gift of salvation upon you" (Hosea 10:12).

The uncultivated ground refers to the places in our hearts that are idle and have become hardened, or even full of weeds. The plow of conviction must break up these places so that the seed of God's Word can be planted. Only then can God send His gentle and merciful ran down upon the soil of our hearts.

Action is always required with faith. How we respond to God's Word and His ways will determine our results. When Naaman needed to be healed, Elisha gave him a simple and humbling act to obey (2 Kings 5:10). There were probably a million excuses Naaman could have named not to obey. Had he chosen not to obey, however, he never would have received his healing.

Faith that doesn't lead to obedience is not faith at all. A divine confrontation requires adjustments on our part. For example, we cannot live with bitterness or hatred in our hearts and expect to receive a miracle. The same is true with unforgiveness. If we are genuinely engaged in what God is doing and applying His Word to our lives, our hearts will undoubtedly change.

Revelation will be sustained by our reaction. While it is important what we believe, it is even more important what we do. James tells us that, "Faith apart from [its] works of obedience is dead" (James 2:26).

According to Smith Wigglesworth, "Faith is an act". He says that not only are we saved by faith, but we are also kept by faith. It is a substance, a deposit of God, that is an almighty flame that moves us to act so that we see miracles occur as a result. Faith takes us to the place where God reigns.

It is God's desire to move in our lives in a mighty way. It is our responsibility to believe and to obey all His precepts (not just the ones we choose). When we do, we can't just stop when we see nothing, we need to follow the example of Elijah's servant and go and look again!

"For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

                                                                                                                               (Isaiah 55:10-11)