The Courage of Christ

"The wilderness  and the desert will be glad... It will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shouts of joy... They will see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart,' Take courage, fear not'. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, and He will save you."
                                                                                                                        Isaiah 35:1-4




When the prophet Isaiah penned the words above, it was quite likely that the Assyrians had ravaged the land of Israel. Their crops were destroyed and their highways were unsafe and impassable. The people were cooped up, afraid, and wondered what would happen next. There was a faithful remnant, however, that still trusted God's promises and were praying for His divine intervention. God heard their cries and He answered their prayers.

If God kept His promises to His people centuries ago, will He not also keep them today and in the future? His answer to us is similar to what it was to Isaiah and the faithful remnant. He promises during difficult times that He will bring forth more beauty and more fruit than our minds can even imagine. There will be rejoicing and shouts of joy and we will see the glory of our God!

The Lord admonished His people to encourage the people who were exhausted and to strengthen the feeble. He told them to tell the anxious and fearful to take courage and not to be afraid. This divine exchange only occurs when we give God our heavy burdens and receive from Him a yoke that is light and easy to bear (Matthew 11:30).

Right now, God is literally shaking the whole earth. The book of Hebrews says,"Then [at Mount Sinai] His voice shook the earth, but now He has given a promise: 'Yet once more I will shake and make tremble not only the earth but also the [starry] heavens.' Now this expression, 'Yet once more' indicates the final removal and transformation of all [that can be shaken- that is, of that which has been created- in order that what cannot be shaken may remain and continue. Let us, therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe; for our God [is indeed] a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:26-29).

We are witnessing a shaking in every aspect of our world: politically, economically, legally, educationally, racially, sexually, morally, internationally, and spiritually. The value of humans and the sanctity of life is being challenged throughout the globe. Terrorism and lawlessness are increasing at unprecedented levels.

In our country, we are beginning to witness a huge rift in the Church between those who choose to honor and obey Biblical precepts and those who do not. It is easy at times like these to wonder if God is still sovereign and on His throne. It can be easier to focus on the worrisome aspects of our culture than to proclaim the promises of our God

This is what happened to John the Baptist. While he was sitting in his jail cell, "John summoned to him a certain two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord, saying, 'Are You He who is to come, or shall we [continue to] look for another?' So the men came to Jesus and said, 'John the Baptist sent us to You to ask, "Are you the One who is to come, or shall we [continue to] look for another?'"...
So He [Jesus] replied to them, 'Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Good News (the Gospel) preached to them. And blessed (happy- with life- joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from outward conditions- and to be envied is he who takes no offense in Me and who is not hurt or resentful or annoyed or repelled or made to stumble [whatever may occur]'" (Luke 7:19-20; 22-23).

Jesus encouraged John the Baptist, despite the very real difficulties of his circumstances. Jesus literally infused courage into John the Baptist to help him in that moment and to sustain him during his most difficult trial that was to come. Jesus transfused His own courage into John's very receptive heart.

John the Baptist was a Reformer that God used to prepare the people for the first coming of Christ. Today, we need many Reformers that will do the same in preparation for the second coming of Christ. The world is crying out for true Reformers in every realm of society and throughout the world.

Webster's dictionary defines reform as "to make better by stopping abuses". We do not have to look very far to see the myriad of abuses that occur daily. In order to bring about true reformation, there must first be a confrontation of the truth. God has entrusted us with the spiritual authority to rise up and challenge those in positions of natural authority that do not yield to the truth of God's Word. Restoration can never fully happen until there has first been a true reformation.

Reformers are bold, courageous, and outspoken. Biblically, we find such examples in people like Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, as well as John the Baptist. These men were God-centered and unwavering. It was not in their character to compromise. They did not bow down to people, idols, or the expectations or customs of their day.

Reformers count the cost and are compelled to persist, despite potential adverse ramifications. Jesus is the perfect example of this. Throughout His ministry, He taught us how to act, how to manage things, and how to think. He was preparing us for restoration, but first the reformation had to occur. Jesus reformed by: dying on a cross, grabbing the keys of hell and death, and then being resurrected so that we could receive His divine inheritance.

Jesus' goal was eternal, and so should ours be. Our life here is but a blink of an eye. After that, we will live forever and ever. In the meantime, every aspect of this generation must be touched by the hand of God so that His glorious light will penetrate and push back the darkness.

God always co-labors with people that are passionate for Him alone. What begins in the furnace of affliction can be transformed into a continual fire that burns in our souls if we allow The Refiner to have His way in our lives. This is the consuming fire that will change our nation and our generation.

In order to reach the maximum number of souls, we must be genuine and passionate and filled with God's holy fire. Courage will be required to stand against the vitriol that hates all things relating to Jesus. Not just any old kind of courage, either. In fact, in order to truly bring reformation and advance God's kingdom on earth, we need to be filled with the very courage of Christ!


      "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
                                                            C.S. Lewis

The Refiner's Fire

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify... and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings... will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years."
                                                                                                                  Malachi 3:3-4




Under the law of Moses God provided three ways for people and things to be cleansed and made acceptable unto Himself: water, fire, and blood. In the case of a nation, God would cleanse the nation while He purified the spiritual leaders. Only then would their sacrifices be acceptable in His eyes. Prior to cleansing and purification gifts and sacrifices were not acceptable to the Lord.

While it is true that today we are under the New Covenant and that we can only be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, it is also true that the inherent rebellious nature of man's heart has not changed over the centuries. In the Divine Exchange, Jesus took our sins and our punishment and replaced it with His righteousness. By simply placing our faith in Jesus and turning away from our sin we are recipients of God's forgiveness and grace and we are made flawless in the eyes of God.

Even after we are saved we can still wrestle with our understanding of who God is and His ways. There can be fragments in our hearts and minds that resist (even unknowingly) what God is doing in our lives because His ways are so much higher than our ways. Our flesh can rise up and we can even begin to question the circumstances, callings, and trials we are facing. Especially, when we are in the furnace and God sits as our Refiner and Purifier.

Many before us have also endured the furnace and have even achieved victory in the midst of the fire. We can learn the lessons from people like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who chose to honor God in the midst of their fiery circumstances (Daniel, Chapter 3). Not only did they prove that their faith could be trusted, but they also brought glory to God in the midst of them, as will so often happen through persecution.

Through no fault of their own, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were brought before King Nebuchadnezzar because they refused to bow before the golden image of himself that he had erected. According to the king's law, they were to be thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to comply with his mandate. These three warriors, however, knew that God's laws were more important than their egotistical ruler. So, into the furnace they went...

"He [King Nebuchadnezzar] ordered that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace" (Daniel 3:19-20).

The reason the king was so angry was because these men had the true faith to confront his idolatrous laws. They explained to him that it was against God's commands to fall down and worship a golden statue. Confidently, they refused to worship anything or anyone other than the One, True God.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also had the genuine faith to confess the Lord. They told the king that God was "the God of all gods, the Lord of kings"(Daniel 2:47). Calmly and respectfully, they used their adversity as an opportunity to give their testimony.

Because of their testimony, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego confounded their enemy. When the king looked into the furnace, he saw that not only were they not consumed by the fire but that there was another man in the fire with them! This theophany was an image of the pre-incarnate Christ that was right by the side of His people. The one true gift of a furnace experience is that God is right there and that He brings to us treasures in the darkness.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's genuine faith confirmed the promises of God for them, as well as for the other Jewish believers in that time and al subsequent time periods. Their faith proved that God is still on the throne, no matter how dire their circumstances were. They also proved that God will not forsake us and that we can rest in the assurance that one day He will fulfill every promise ever made.

When we trust and obey God in our furnace of affliction, He will be glorified and it will positively affect others. Even when the heat is being turned up to conform to the gods of this age, we know that God's grace will give us everything we need to stay the course and walk in victory. And for those of us who endure, God promises that He will give us the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

In the Refiner's fire, extraordinary temperatures are needed to make the precious metals moldable and shapeable and to keep them from cracking. When the metal is broken down, the Refiner can accomplish the work he has purposed to do. Never, ever, does the Refiner take His eyes off the metal, lest it be destroyed.

The ultimate purpose of the Refiner is to remove all the dross, or impurities. This is how God purges us of all that is not His righteousness. He ultimately brings us to the end of ourselves. Only then can we reflect His image.

Right now God is preparing a remnant in the earth that can be trusted to bring glory to His Name. He tests us in order to develop our faith because he knows that a faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted. The apostle, Peter, addressed this when he said, "Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality as though something strange were befalling you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly]"(1 Peter 4:12-13).

Peter expounds this point when he talks about the purpose of our trials. He says that the purpose is "so that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested and that your faith which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:7).

In order to bring glory to God with our lives and to finish well, we have to start by trusting and praising God now. We have to draw close to Him and remember to: confront our challenges, confess the Lord, confound our enemies, and confirm His promises. This is how we yield to the Holy Spirit and submit to the Refiner's fire.


                             "When through the fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
                                   My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply;
                              The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
                                 Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."
                                                                                Author Unknown

God's Love Letter To You

My Precious Child,

You are unique, extraordinary, and created by Me in love. I knew and loved you even before you were created because there was intent and purpose in making you who you are. This is why I created you in My image and why you are accepted (1), chosen and dearly loved (2), and my very own beloved child (3). Your true identity is found in Me, alone.

You are forgiven and redeemed (4) and complete in Me (5). I have freed you from all condemnation (6) and have established, anointed, and sealed you for all eternity (7). Of all the peoples in the earth, I have chosen you to represent Me and bear much fruit of who I am.

You have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by Me (9) and I am forever faithful to you. I have given you a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind (10) and I have provided you with continual access to Me. I have told you to ask for wisdom anytime and anywhere and I will give you what you need (12).

Because of all I have given, you are now alive in Me (13), free from the law of sin and death (14), and removed from all oppression and fear (15). You have received My righteousness (16) and are holy and without blame in My eyes (17). You are renewed (18), delivered (19), and redeemed from all curses (20).

You are a new creation (21), and the fruit of My workmanship so that you can do good works in the earth (22). This is so that you can be a doer of My Word and blessed in what you do (23). Since you believe, the light of the Gospel shines forth in your mind (24).

Seek out My purpose and My perspective in all the circumstances of your life. Do not come into agreement with anything or anyone who is contrary to My Word or My ways. Singularity in your thoughts will enable you to see the things that are unseen (25) and walk in My peace, which surpasses all understanding (26).

Remember, it is your thoughts that produce your beliefs. It is your beliefs that will form your habits. Repetitive habits will shape your character. Ultimately, your character will shape your destiny. It is My desire that your destiny coincides with the purpose and plan I have established for you since before the foundation of the earth (27).

You have received power from Me (28) so that you can do all things through Me (29). In My power you are an overcomer (30) and a partaker of My divine nature (31) to be My ambassador in the earth (32). With your shield of faith, you can quench all the fiery darts of the enemy (33).

Now, go and be the light of the world (34) and the voice of My praise (35). Know that you are strengthened with all might according to My power (36) and that I will never leave you or forsake you (37). I will work in you to do the things I have called you to do (38).

Be thankful at all times because this will synchronize you with My will for your life (39). It will also enable you to hear the voice of heaven so that you can echo the "amen" on earth. Use your words to rule and reign- not to grumble and complain.

I have placed you on this earth for such a time as this (40) so that My will can be accomplished. Tune in to Me and I will direct your steps (41). Be strong and courageous and I will be with you wherever you go (42).

You are a part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and one of My chosen people (43). You are My elect, filled with mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (44). You are firmly rooted, built up, established in faith and overflowing with gratitude (45). Your eyes of understanding are enlightened, you know the hope of My calling, the riches of the glory of My inheritance, and the resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead (46). Because of these things, and oh, so much more, know that I love you like crazy and nothing could EVER separate you from My love (47)!

Have a Blessed Valentines Day,
Your Heavenly Father


1. Ephesians 1:6
2. Colossians 3:12
3. John 1:12
4. Colossians 1:14
5. Colossians 2:10
6. Romans 8:1
7. 2 Corinthians 1:21
8. John 15:16
9. 2 Peter 1:4
10. 2 Timothy 1:7
11. Ephesians 2:18
12. James 1:5
13. Ephesians 2:5
14.  Romans 8:2
15. Isaiah 54:14
16. Romans 5:17
17. Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16
18. Colossians 3:9-10
19. Colossians 1:13
20. Galatians 3:13
21. 2 Corinthians 5:17
22. Ephesians 2:10
23. James 1:22;25
24. 2 Corinthians 4:4
25. 2 Corinthians 4:18
26. Philippians 4:7
27. Isaiah 48:13
28. Mark 6:17-18
29. Philippians 4:13
30. Revelation 12:11
31. 2 Peter 1:3-4
32. 2 Corinthians 5:20
33. Ephesians 6:16
34. Matthew 5:14
35. Psalm 66:8
36. Colossians 1:11
37. Hebrews 13:5
38. Philippians 2:13
39. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
40. Esther 4:14
41. Psalm 37:23
42. Joshua 1:9
43. 1 Peter 2:9
44. Romans 8:33
45. Colossians 2:7
46. Ephesians 1:18-21
47. Romans 8:38-39

Raising A Standard

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard
 against him and put him to flight."
                                                                                                                    Isaiah 59:19




Each one of us are called to live abundant and victorious lives. This means that we have already been given the Holy Spirit and we are connected to Jesus, who overflows in our lives like a fountain. Because of this source of life within us we are no longer relegated to average, run of the mill lives that have no purpose, direction, vision, or passion. God has clearly provided the best for us, through His Son, to have a bountiful life and then to share that bounty with others.

And then, life happens. Hard times of adversity and challenge arise during some seasons of our lives and it seems as if the battering ram never rests. The world desires to throw stones at us and remind us of our failures and defeats, while anxiety and fear crouch at the door just waiting for an opportunity to rush through it. At times, we can even come into agreement with the negativity and sorrow that shrouds our vision, which only creates more difficulties and angst.

These are the times and seasons when the enemy rushes in like a flood and we are left with the question, "How will I respond?" Second only to the decision to receive Christ and the gift of salvation is the decision of how we will handle intense seasons of challenge and adversity. Our response will either put a wedge in our relationship with Jesus or it will cause us to cry out to God, who is our Deliverer.

As we recognize God as our True Deliverer, we find that often it is because we have been thrown into a fiery furnace of affliction. Most of us would rather believe that God will always prevent all manner of evil from darkening our doorstep, and, quite often, He does. However, from a Biblical perspective, God is more often acknowledged as a Deliverer.

In the Old Testament, the Psalms are filled with such verses:"Arise, O Lord! Deliver me!(Psalm 3:7)". "For He will deliver the needy who cry out (Psalm 72:12)". Time and time again, in the history of God's people, He helps them out of their trouble and rescues them. In the New Testament, Paul declares, "On Him we have set our hope, that He will continue to deliver us (2 Corinthians 1:10)".

As much as our flesh tries to resist it, knowing God as our Deliverer is a beautiful thing that is comparable to nothing else. It drives us to a place of intimacy and holiness and purity which is where we can really see God. We see Him not for who we want Him to be, but for who He truly is and in all His glory.

When we recognize, trust, and rely upon Christ, who is our Cornerstone, we no longer recoil from the stones being hurled by the world. Instead, we gather them up and build an altar in our lives to the One who endured the pain of the Cross because He understood the benefit it would bring (Hebrews 12:2). We give glory to Him who will one day usher us into His presence and we will be made completely flawless (Jude,v.24).

Alignment with God is essential during these seasons of our lives. This means that we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24; 10:38). We stand against the ways of the world by interceding and intervening in the areas God gives to us. As we witness the world's system becoming increasingly corrupt, we remember the words of Jesus when He said, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize- a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion] (Matthew 11:12)".

As Christianity and the Word of God is marginalized throughout the earth, God raises up a standard against it. The remnant God uses may even be called through the cleansing fires of adversity as He calls us through our troubles to His table of plenty. No matter what the enemy throws at us, if we are aligned with God, we will walk in His blessing

Living a victorious life is not a passive endeavor. It is intentional at its very core and great faith is required. One of the requirements is that we forsake meeting our needs in our own way and allow God to fill every void. We renounce our answers so that we can receive His answers and solutions to every situation we encounter.

Since sin never satisfies, we find that if there are areas of dissatisfaction in our lives that these are the areas God is highlighting for us. For example, many of us would view anxiety as the problem, but, in actuality, it is the answer. The truth is that we become anxious when we really don't trust that God is there for us and that we can lean on Him for support. We can take His yoke, which is light, instead of trying to lug around our heavy and burdensome one. If we humble ourselves under God's mighty hand and accurately assess the truth of our sin, He will lift us up at the right time (1 Peter 5:6).

Pain and trouble are always worth it if we use them as a catalyst to press in to God. It is never beneficial to come into agreement with the negativity of our circumstances or what the world has to say about them. It is also never beneficial to align ourselves with grieving and mourning if God's presence is no longer in that pit of pain. I am certainly not insinuating that there are not times to grieve, but what I am saying is that sometimes we can stay stuck when God has already called us to move forward emotionally.

Pressing in to God means practicing His presence (through prayer, meditation, and worship) and surrendering to His ways. It is also having the eyes to see things from His perspective. This is when His grace pours over us to identify the sin and sinful patterns in our lives and turn away from them. We renounce our excuses and we are blessed.

If we choose to not obey or we hold onto that which God has commanded us to release, complacency will ensue. This is what happened to the Jews in the book of Isaiah. God told them to leave Babylon and return to Israel so He could do new and great things for them (Jeremiah 50:8; 51:6; 45).
Instead of obedience, stubbornness prevailed as well as fear and a willingness to settle where they were comfortable. In doing so, they missed out on multiple blessings that God had planned for them.

This is what God said to these Jews, "Oh, that you had hearkened to My commandments! Then your peace and prosperity would have been like a flowing river, and your righteousness [holiness and purity] like the abundant waves of the sea (Isaiah 48:18)".

We have to abide in God's Word so that we know the truth. It is necessary to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus so that we are not just "hearing" about Him from other people. He will help us to identify whether our thoughts are kingdom thoughts or worldly thoughts. When we recognize accurately what does not honor Him, we vigilantly replace them with verses from scripture. This is how we set up watchguards in their stead.

Once we have sincerely asked our Heavenly Father for forgiveness and have turned in the opposite direction, we have to receive it by faith. Beating ourselves up mentally is an affront to our Creator. Instead of reminding Him of our mistakes, we can boldly remind Him of His Word. We focus our eyes on the prize, knowing that God is good and so are His plans for us. Right now, God is raising up a standard (a mighty remnant) in the earth so that His kingdom is advanced and He is glorified!


"We might be wise to follow the insight of the enraptured heart rather than the cautious reasoning of the theological mind."
                                                 A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy



.

Reliant

"You show that you are a letter from Christ...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence and steadfast reliance and absolute trust that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God."
                                                                                                                        2 Corinthians 3:3-5




It seems illogical to believe that our weaknesses and shortcomings can be used by God to become avenues of blessing, and yet, when we rely on His sufficiency, that is exactly what they are. It is in our frailties that God delights to show Himself strong because then He alone is glorified. Even more than this, God desires intimacy with His children and it is from this intimacy that flows the power and purpose for which we are created.

The level of intimacy we have with Christ lies solely on our shoulders. We get to choose how close to God we become and the degree to which we depend upon Him. When we truly develop the spiritual discipline of practicing God's presence through worship and meditation, this is when everything in our lives begins to change. The more we experience God, the more we want to experience Him and this shifts our priorities to sacrifice the lesser things in life.

Total reliance occurs when we know and trust God because we are assured that He deserves that level of dependence because of His great love for us and ability to work all things for our good. The definition of the word reliant is "having or showing dependence; confident; trustful". Most believers would look at this definition and believe that they are completely reliant on God, but this is the part where deeper insight is required. It begs the question, "Do I really have an accurate perception of my limitations and inadequacies and do I really trust God to make them strong within me?"

Our society rejects the notion of any weakness as being a good thing. And yet, from a biblical perspective, God gives us many benefits for our insufficiencies. The primary benefit being that, as we surrender to Him, Christ then becomes All-Sufficient to us.

Christ's sufficiency far supersedes anything we can do on our own. It is His sufficiency that enables us to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]...Invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, exercising every kind of endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light" (Colossians 1:10-12).

When we are truthfully willing to take account of our weaknesses, we will recognize that it is our inadequacies that force us to work in the power of the Holy Spirit. Anything that drives us to our knees and propels us toward God is a good thing. Fellowship is the sweetest with our Heavenly Father when we realize that not only can He supply all our needs, but that He is already wanting and waiting to do it.

Our limitations will relieve us from the burden of trying to do things in our own strength. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can carry the burdens and weights that would crush us if we were standing on our own.  Even when our circumstances seem to be relentless, God will deliver us to walk in victory. He alone can give us a calm and a contentment that only comes from the quietness of our spirit. Either we will relinquish our struggles and cease striving or we will proceed in our own strength and quickly become overwhelmed.

When we humble ourselves enough to feel our need, God will raise us up to new heights. Acknowledging our shortcomings allows God to get all the glory. This is when He knows that He can trust us with His power because He sees that we will steward it in the way He calls us to.

It is our lack that is engineered to magnify God's perfect sufficiency. It is the prayer of faith and confidence that keeps praying until something happens. As we contend and press in to seek the face of God, we find that Jesus is: our Deliverer, our Peace, our Protector, our Advocate, our Rock, our Defender, our Hope, our Righteousness, our Truth, our Counselor, our Comfort, our Sustainer, our Refresher, our Love, our Help, our Healer, our Companion, our Wisdom, our Strength, and our Faithful and Mighty God.

As we look to Jesus continually to meet our needs, we are transformed. And, when life is hard, and Jesus is all we have, we begin to see that God is much, much bigger than our circumstances. Matthew Henry, author and theologian, says, "If we have, through grace, an interest in Him who is the Fountain, we may rejoice in Him when the streams of temporal mercies are dried up."

We grow in our capacity to experience God and in or capacity to become steadfast in our walk. In the book of Acts, Peter quoted David as saying,"I saw the Lord constantly before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken or overthrown or cast down [from my secure and happy state]" (Acts 2:25).

The more we know God experientially, the more we will love, trust, and rely upon Him. It is inherent in these times in which we live that we know how much God loves us and that we are also passionately in love with Him. It is only this kind of love that will enable us to not be shaken in a world that seems to be inundated with tremors.

If we really take the time to spend with God and develop an intimate, rich relationship, we will also have the love and compassion that is active and brings life to others. Every time that Jesus experienced this type of compassion He was moved to heal, feed, and minister to those in need. Our vertical relationship then extends horizontally as we become doers of the Word.

When we are filled with God's Spirit we can change the environment everywhere we go. As we seek God's face in our lives, it is inevitable that others will be touched and changed by the power of God. Jesus reiterated this point to Martha (sister of Mary and Lazarus) when He said, "Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God? (John 11:40).


                      "Grace is but Glory begun, and Glory is but Grace perfected."
                                                      Jonathan Edwards

Our Glorious Inheritance

[Paul said], "I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people."

                                                                                                                                    Ephesians 1:18b

With so much turbulence in the stock market and national economies around the world, it is vitally important for us to understand the things we possess that can never be taken away. The lives we live on this earth are but a vapor and everything in this world will one day vanish and forever be gone. And yet, as believers in Christ, we have been graciously given an inheritance that is ours now and an additional inheritance that will be ours later.

When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we were adopted into His family and grafted into His lineage. This simple act of faith transitioned us from being outside of God's family to actually belonging to Him and His family. The book of Galatians tells us that we "are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26).

Further explanation is given when the author adds, "And since you are His child, God has made you His heir" (Galatians 4:7). This means that all of God's children have privileges and a spiritual inheritance that are too wonderful for our minds even to grasp. To be included in God's family is life's greatest honor and our highest privilege. There is nothing or no one that can rival it.

Since Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant, He is the One wo assigns us our portion on this earth and eternally. God said to Him [Jesus], "Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage, and the ends of the earth Your possession" (Psalm 2:8). Later, the Psalmist writes, "The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance" (Psalm 16:6).

We are the beneficiaries of Jesus' sacrifice. Because of what He has done for us, we inherit: the riches of His grace, patience, kindness, wisdom, mercy, glory, and power. He graciously gives us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Additionally, we are given a rightful place in God's family and a territory that is ours to manage. We become co-heirs with Christ.. When we are born into His kingdom through Jesus, we inherit all His promises given to us in His Word. We then use what God has given us to bring light and life to a dark and dying world.

The Holy Spirit is the "guarantee" of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). He gives us the assurance of our eternal outcome as well as the guidance we need to lay hold of the inheritance God has for us now. He gives us the confidence that God will indeed perform what He has promised.

If these gifts were not enough, we also have an inheritance that we will receive later. This is what God promises to us:

                     *We will have no more pain, death, and suffering (Revelation 21:4)

                     *We get to be with God forever (1Thessalonians 4:17 and 5:12)

                     *We will be transformed to be like Christ (1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

                     *We will be rewarded and given positions of service (Mark 9:41 and 10:38;

                       1 Corinthians 3:8; Hebrews 10:35; and Matthew 25:21,23)

                     *We get to share in Christ's glory (Romans 8:17; Colossians 3:4;

                       2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 2:12; 1 Peter 5:1)

None of these promises can be taken away from us! God has reserved them and will continue to protect them for us. We are told that "God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay" (1 Peter 1:4).

While our eternal inheritance is secure, we must claim the inheritance God has for us here. We find an example of this in the Old Testament. After the Israelites had entered into the Promised Land, God had apportioned each of the twelve tribes a specific area of land and territory. Five of those tribes had claimed their inheritance, but seven of them had grown accustomed to their nomadic lifestyle and were willing to settle for less than what God had for them.

The land had been divided by Joshua based on the faithfulness of each of the tribes. The battles were over and the war had been won but there were still seven tribes who had not claimed their rightful inheritance. Joshua said to them, "How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land...[that God] has given to you?" (Joshua 18:3).

The difference between those who claimed their inheritance and those who did not was faith. If the same percentages were true today, that would mean that fifty-eight percent of believers would not understand their role as an ambassador of Christ because of a lack of faith and spiritual zeal. Passivity and decisions that are easier in the moment lead to a willingness to quit because of a lack of vision in what God is doing. Spiritual dryness becomes pervasive. While quitting may be easier in the short-term, it is definitely short-sighted when we see the glorious inheritance that God has prepared for us!

There are many contributing factors to spiritual dryness, but here are a few: unrelenting trials and temptations, sin, lack of prayer, pessimistic attitude, lack of involvement, lack of commitment, and disillusionment when God doesn't answer our prayers in the way we thought He would. If we are empty emotionally, physically, or spiritually, we will lack the zeal and fervor needed to persevere. If we do not persevere and claim our inheritance, our hearts will ultimately become extremely hardened.

Resistance is the call for perseverance. It is our obstacles that become our greatest teachers if we sincerely seek God in the midst of them. C.S. Lewis said, "God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them."

If you are currently in a spiritually dry place, please know that this is a normal part of every spiritual journey. We must, however, determine that we will not stay in its place. We have to push forward and take possession of our spiritual inheritance. Never, ever give up!

We are God's special treasure and He has great things in store for us! When we are in Christ and have received His Spirit, we have the power and strength to persevere to the end and receive our portion. He has given us His great and precious promises which enable us to thank Him even in the midst of adversity because we are guaranteed we will receive what He has promised and that, in Him, we have a glorious inheritance!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

                                                                                                                             Colossians 3:23-24    

 

Hope In The New Year

"Hope refreshes faith, that it may not become weary. It sustains faith to the final goal, that it my not fail in midcourse, or even at the starting gate. In short, by unremitting, renewing, and restoring, it
invigorates faith again and again with perseverance."
                                                                                                       John Calvin, French Reformer




This new year started somewhat tumultuously for our family. Our youngest daughter, Abbie, was hospitalized for several days with facial cellulitis and an abscess. The treatment required days of  IV antibiotics, followed by a minimum of a ten day course orally. School was missed and flights were rescheduled, as were many patients in Brent's medical practice. In spite of our unexpected chaos, there were also many unexpected blessings that God had prepared for us along the way.

The first blessing came in the form of a Christmas present we had received from a precious eight year old girl named Jordan. She had made us a decoration that hangs on a doorknob in the shape of a candy cane. Written upon it was the verse that reads, "By His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). When her parents called us while we were in the Emergency Room, her Mom reminded me of that gift given and stated that it was a prophetic promise for us in this situation. Days later, God confirmed this word when Abbie's nurse unknowingly laid a candy cane on her belly while she slept. Yes, God can even speak through a sugary, striped confectionary.

The next blessing we received was through unexpected friends and family that unknowingly called and texted us that they were being prompted to pray for us. We literally could feel the prayers that were being prayed for Abbie. It was extremely comforting to know that others were praying for her that she would be healed and restored (James 5:16).

A third blessing came in the form of a daily Bible verse text. It arrived on a morning when Brent and I were exhausted physically from a lack of sleep. The verse said, "The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace" (Psalm 29:11). Strength and peace were exactly what we needed and strength and peace God did supply!

The last, and best, blessing that God gave to us was the chance to minister to a Jewish nurse that took care of Abbie. This nurse was diligent and had a heart of gold. She shared with us that her immediate family barely survived the holocaust in Germany, while her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were murdered. All of her family that survived today lies in Haifa, Israel. In the midst of every trial lies an opportunity in God's economy.

It is, however, in times like these that we truly find out where our hope lies. If it is inextricably linked to Jesus, our Rock, we will not be shaken. Everything we need will be given to us and our security will never falter.

Hudson Taylor, a nineteenth century missionary to China, sums up the sufficiency of Christ as follows: "'Christ liveth in me.' And how great the difference! Instead of bondage, liberty; instead of failure, quiet victories within; instead of fear and weakness, a restful sense of sufficiency in Another."

It is my belief that in this upcoming year the most important thing we can do is to completely find our sufficiency in Christ. If we look to the stock market for security, we will be shaken. If we look to the government, we are standing on sinking sand. Jesus is our true security and He is the Only One who "will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

This is the Hebraic year 5776. The two predominant letters associated with this year are the ayin and the vav. The ayin has the numerical value of seventy and is symbolized as the eye. The vav has the numerical value of six and its meaning is the "peg, nail, or hook". When you combine these letters it means "to see the peg". The word "see" in this context means to "discern, understand, know".

Really knowing Jesus this year will keep us strong and peaceful in the midst of turbulence and increasing tensions in the world. Since this is also a political year in the U.S., it is safe to assume that the vitriol and deception will continue to escalate. Like never before we need to be rooted in the love of Christ and grounded in His Word because the tension between the work of God and the work of man (not of God) will  continue to mount.

We must be secure in our salvation and know that it only comes through Jesus. Not religion. Not works. Just Jesus. We are told that "There is salvation in no one else [other than Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Prophetically, Jesus is the peg or nail that secures our position and connects us to His Father. He is our prophetic promise of victory. This is how the prophet Zechariah explains, "Out of him [Judah] shall come forth the cornerstone, out of him the tent peg, out of him the battle bow; every ruler shall proceed from him. And they shall be like mighty men treading down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle, and they shall fight because the Lord is with them, and the [oppressor's] riders on horses shall be confounded and put to shame" (Zechariah 10:4-5).

Jesus is the Only One who has been given the authority and power to overcome the evil in this world. The Holy Spirit describes Jesus as "the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key of David, who opens what no one shall shut and shuts what no one shall open"(Revelation 3:7). He is the One who allows us to grow in grace, be strong in faith, and give glory to God through our lives.

If you are currently in a battle, it is prayer that will win the war. As we pray and declare God's Word, Jesus watches over His Word to perform it. Alert and awake, we will discern what God is saying during these turbulent times.

Moreover, there is a double blessing and a double portion that will be given to the people of God during this season. Double gates will be opened in front of us, unlocked by the key of David, and we will see answers to prayers that have long been prayed. As we rest in the sufficiency of Christ, things we have labored for in the past will come to us with less effort and more expeditiously than we expect. God will bring sweet unexpected surprises to His children.

This is not the time to shrink back. It is the time to conquer over our opposition as Jael did (Judges 4:21) and to "enlarge the place of your tent' (Isaiah 54:2). As our dreams are revived and we step out in faith, we will see that our "boundaries have fallen in pleasant places" (Psalm 16:6). God is good and so are His plans for 2016!

                                            HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!!

"He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the Cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly triumphing over them by the Cross."

                                                                                                                               (Colossians 2:14-15)