The Glorious Bride

"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and as a bride adorns herself with jewels."
                                                                                                                               Isaiah 61:10




Few things on this earth rival the joy and excitement of a wedding. It is a promise of love and hope, accompanied by the jubilation of finally discovering your forever partner. Exhilaration is tangibly palpable, both by the wedding party and the family and friends that attend. All of this is culminated by pivoting necks just waiting to catch the first glimpse of the glorious bride. Emotions run deep even as the groom tries to swallow past the lump in his throat when he sees his most heavenly vision ascending towards his arms. Tears of joy trickle down cheeks...

This is how it was for our family on Saturday as we welcomed our second daughter-in-love to our family. Sam and Austin had returned home from serving in the Pentagon to pledge their vows to one another. Austin kept trying to convince us that he was not nervous but we occasionally caught facial expressions that would dispute his claims. If Sam was nervous, she did a better job at disguising that fact.

Since they had their wedding at our home, we literally got to be a part of every single plan and detail. As many weddings as we have been a part of or witnessed, it was enlightening to really see all that is entailed in this process. Too often, I was caught up in the logistics, only to stop and be reminded of the most important thing. This happened when I glanced up to see the bride or groom catch a glimpse of their beloved's face. Both beamed brighter than a full moon and sparkled like the brightest star. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed.

The love they share served as a reminder to those around them of what is really important in this life. Both of them walked in unity and forgiveness and were inclusive to even those who had wounded them in the past. Their greatest desire was to share their most important day with everyone who had ever had been important to them and they did not let offense stand in their way.

God honored them both for these selfless decisions. There were so many miracles that happened on their wedding day. The first miracle was that it did not rain during the ceremony, even though it was supposed to. The second miracle was that prayers and scriptures were shared with some people who had never before heard them. We literally saw hearts being healed, forgiveness and reconciliation, as well as relationships being restored. Mostly, we saw God move in powerful ways!

Seeing God move in this way at their wedding made me really stop and think about our future as the bride of Christ. This heavenly wedding feast of the Lamb will supersede any earthly rendition we find here. And, when we consider the fact that God is the wedding planner, we know that it will be more glorious than any of us could even imagine!

Every detail was planned long ago, and God has customized this event to be spectacular. Matthew tells us that, "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son" (Matthew 22:2). Even now, the linens are pressed and the table is set.

God takes it one step further by using the imagery and symbolism of the church being His bride. Isaiah tells us that, "thy Maker is thy husband; the Lord of Hosts [is] His name; and the Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall He be called" (Isaiah 54:5). In this, God paints a portrait that is even more intimate, emphasizing the covenant aspect of our bond.

We become His bride at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. In the interim, we are His betrothed. He has clothed us in robes of righteousness and called us to be faithful. He wants us to look with anticipation to this day and overflow with His presence and glory while we wait. All the while, we look for those moments here when we can catch a glimpse of our Beloved's face.

He does not want our loyalties to be divided. God would say to us, "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2). Like the anticipation the week before a wedding, we are to think about, pray about, and dream about the blessed event that awaits us.

Preparation is also required. When I think about the thousands of details it takes for a small home wedding, it occurs to me that no less should occur for this once in an all eternity event. Over and over again, our decisions will either be towards holiness or momentary happiness.  Over time, it will be obvious what our choices really were.

Paul tells us that Jesus is going to return for a bride that is holy and pure. He said, "Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain, or wrinkle, or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:25-27). He's the One who makes us holy but the pursuit of holiness requires diligence and obedience on our part.

It also requires valuing holiness above worldly desires. Spending time in His presence gives us the courage to step out, even into unknown territory. When we put God first, it naturally follows that we will then put the needs of others before our own. Especially the spiritual needs of others.

God clothed us in garments of salvation, extended through His love, mercy, and grace. In turn, He wants us to share with others all that He has done for us. Because He has done so much, we should be eager to tell others. Daily, we renew our hope in Him so that we can share with those people in which we have given up hope. This is when we really see God's power being released.

On the day of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, there will be unspeakable joy, a blessed union that is eternal, a redeemed church, and God will be glorified. It is so important that we bring with us as many people as possible. When we witness the culmination of each persons giftedness and diligence and obedience to honor our King, we will be amazed.

There will be so many testimonies of the goodness and greatness of our God that it will take all of eternity to take it all in. Right now, we see God putting out all the finishing touches for this Blessed Event. The table is set, the bride is getting ready, and the music is about to begin... Suddenly, we see that the bride is glorious! Better yet, the Bridegroom is majestic and regal and, oh so, mesmerizing!


                            (Dedicated to Sam and Austin-- we love you!!!!)


"Then a voice came from the throne, saying: 'Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, both great and small!' Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: 'Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready."
                                             Revelation 19:5-9

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)

Bold As A Lion

                              "The [uncompromisingly] righteous are as bold as a lion."
                                                              Proverbs 28:1




Lions are commonly depicted as "king of the jungle" or "king of beasts" throughout cultures around the world. They often depict royalty, power, kingship, and bravery. In Africa, it is one of the greatest compliments you can ever receive to be compared to a lion. In fact, many of their most powerful rulers incorporated the word "lion" into their nicknames.

Both beauty and strength are the attributes of a lion. Grace and power are intertwined and embodied within this exquisite animal that God created. Never do lions doubt what or who they were created to be; neither do they concern themselves with what the other animals think of them.

When God created us, He created us to be as bold as a lion. He created us to know with certainty who He is and who we are in relation to Him. It is our relationship with Him that allows us to walk in boldness and confidence, knowing that our lives are created to be a part of His master plan.

Boldness is behavior born out of belief. When we really understand that God's Word dominates all else and that He has given us authority and dominion in the earth, it will change everything. Our doubts will be conquered and we will see a God within us that is infinitely bolder than we are.

Hiding God's Word in our heart and building our most holy faith is our number one priority if we want to effect change in our world.  If we are really going to make a difference, we must possess total confidence of who God is and what His Word counsels us to do in each circumstance. This requires courage and confidence to rely on God's power and to speak His Word with conviction and compassion.

We possess the hope for which this world is searching. And if we have it, we are definitely called to share it. We are told that, "since we have such a hope, we are very bold" (2 Corinthians 3:12). We need God to strengthen our hearts and minds so that we can boldly share His truths. When God's boldness pours through us that "He crowns the humble with victory " (Psalm 149:4).

Godly boldness is all about God. It is not a personality trait that only some were given- it is an attribute of the Holy Spirit. Granted, our styles and techniques will undoubtedly differ but the end result will not. We will bear a harvest in our lives when God leads and we care more about serving God than pleasing people.

If, however, we misconstrue boldness for rudeness, we have missed the mark. In our own strength, boldness will appear demanding and controlling. It will insist upon its own way, implementing a steamroller approach. It is always our job to lift others up, not to crush their spirits or flatten them.

When things are difficult in our lives and trouble comes knocking, we often begin our prayer strategy by praying for deliverance. However, often God is wanting us to pray for boldness to walk through our difficulties in faithfulness. This is how Christ's power is displayed through our lives so that others can see Him more clearly. This is how we are old in our brokenness!

When God showed Ezekiel the vision of the valley of dry bones, all Ezekiel could see was death, destruction, and decay (Ezekiel, 37). God told Ezekiel to  prophesy to those dead bones and say, "Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Behold, I will cause breath and spirit to enter you, and you shall live; And I will lay sinews upon you and bring up flesh upon you and cover you with skin, and I will put breath and spirit in you, and you [dry bones] shall live; and you shall know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, who calls forth loyalty and obedient service]'" (Ezekiel 37:5-6).

Ezekiel spoke what God said as though he were the voice of God. Similarly, we have been given the Bible to show us what God says about our circumstances so that we can prophesy too. We need to call the Spirit of God down into our circumstances by declaring His Word. This is how we are bold in our speech!

Our declarations of faith have to be bolder than we are. David was one of the least likely candidates to take down Goliath, but he overflowed in confidence of who God is and what God would do through him. He said, "Your servant killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the Living God!" (1 Samuel 17:36). This is how we are bold in our faith!

The apostle, Peter, was bold in his prayers. When the disciples saw that one of their women, named Tabitha, had died, they sent two men to get Peter to pray. When Peter got there, the widows were crying and grieving her death. Peter sent them out of the room and "knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body, he said, 'Tabitha, get up!' And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she raised herself and sat upright" (Acts 9:40). This is how we are bold in our prayers!

Peter was also bold in his witnessing. After he and John had been arrested and put in jail for their boldness in witnessing, they prayed to God for more boldness. Despite additional threats, they prayed, "And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to your bondservants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly, while You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy child and Servant, Jesus" (Acts 4:29-30). Peter understood that it is the boldness of the Holy Spirit that does signs and wonders. This is how we are bold in our witnessing!

It is time for the Church to walk in the full power and authority that have been given to us by Jesus. There are soo many people who need to see God and experience His love and mercy in a personal way. Allowing God to be bold through us is the only way the world will catch a glimpse of the majesty and power of our Savior. Like so many who have journeyed the walk of faith with Jesus before us, we can be a people who are bold and strong and do not waver in the face of adversity!


"Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart- so you will be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
                                                                                                                              Andrew Murray

The Power Of Testimony

"And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony; and they loved not their lives so much as to shrink from death."
                                                                                                                                 Revelation 12:11




In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we find eyewitnesses to the life and ministry of Jesus. Not all of the details match one another exactly because each one of these men had a different vantage and a different perspective of the life and ministry of Christ. Likewise, because God has created each one of us to be unique, we, also, have a very distinct perspective of our walk with God. This is very important because of the nuances of our stories and the audience of peoples that our testimonies will influence and touch.

Genuine testimonies are extremely powerful. We are told that "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for life or for death]" (Proverbs 18:21). When we use our testimonies to speak truth and life, there will be a harvest in our lives that reflects this. God will add His power to them to bring about transformation and the extension of His kingdom.

Our testimony also helps us to overcome the attacks of the enemy. His attacks are nothing new, as they started right after Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3:15). Even now, Satan has access to heaven where he goes night and day to accuse God's people (Job 1-2).

His strategy is to persecute God's people and to destroy them, if possible (1 Peter 5:8). Therefore, our lives as believers will always involve a degree of conflict. The apostle, Paul, tells us, "Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and deceits of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10-11).

The name devil means "accuser" and Satan means "adversary". Even though he stands before the throne of God and fights us through accusations (Zechariah 3), Jesus is our "heavenly Advocate" (1 John 2:1-2) who represents us and makes our defense. Because of His death and resurrection, we ca overcome Satan "by the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 12:11). We can rest in knowing that our salvation is secure, not because of our works, but because of the finished work of Christ on Calvary.

The same serpent who accuses God's people in heaven also deceives the nations of the earth (Revelation 12:9). One of his biggest strategies is to lie about the church. He convinces the world that Christians are dangerous, deluded, and destructive. It is because of this deception that the leaders of nations come together against Christ and His people.

It is our union with Jesus that gives us peace in the midst of hostility and victory over every scheme of the enemy. Jesus' blood gives us perfect standing before God and the confidence to boldly share our testimony. Satan's power must fail when God's people trust in the power of the blood and in God's Word.

Our testimony provides an unique perspective of what Jesus has done in our lives. Because "our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:10), we can rejoice in knowing that these forces have already been defeated. This is what enables us to share about God's power, sovereignty, and faithfulness in the midst of the storms in our lives.

The storms we encounter have great purpose. Despite the howling winds and the tempest that rages around us, Jesus is the "I" of the storm, if we allow Him to be. The author of the book of Hebrews wrote, "we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:18-19).

Not only can the storms rage around us, but they can also rage within our hearts. This usually emanates from fear of the potential outcome. When the disciples experienced the storm out on the sea of Galilee, they began to plead with Jesus to help them, which, of course, He did (Luke 8:24)!

After Jesus calmed the storm, He directed to them a simple question. He asked, "Where is your faith?" (Luke 8:25). This question always requires a simple assessment of where our trust lies?

Faith is the cord that ties us to our union with Jesus. It is what provides the assurance of Jesus' love, goodness, and power. Our faith is what gives us the confidence that He still speaks to our storms and command them to be still. No matter how ugly or messy they may be, God will use our testimonies for good. It is also what reassures us that His promises will carry us through into an eternity spent with Him.

Jesus is our refuge. He is firm and unchanging and will safely carry us through every storm. Truly, this is where we see His power. This is where we come to know Him more intimately. This is where He heals and comforts our aching hearts. This is the place where testimonies are made, and where He also infuses them with His power. God's pan is to reach a dying world through a living, breathing example of His grace- you.

Our testimony should be a natural expression of who we are and our daily walk with Jesus. God wants other people to see how Jesus lives through us. He wants other people to see faithfulness and sincerity as He displays Himself through our lives. He also wants them to see that His grace and power are sufficient in our weaknesses.

Satan will do everything in his power to destroy our testimonies. He will bring temptations, false accusations, sickness, discouragement, opportunities to compromise, etc. Knowing his intentions should never make us afraid, but they should keep us alert. God promises us that, "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

God is well able to keep us and preserve our testimonies. When we walk in humility, knowing that we need His grace every second, it will thwart Satan's plans. We flee temptation and never allow sin to grow deep roots in our hearts. We walk in forgiveness and pray continually. These are the parameters that allow us to live in freedom and see the fruit that comes from the power of our testimony!


"The most obscene symbol in human history is the Cross; yet in its ugliness it remains the most eloquent testimony to human dignity."
                                                            R.C. Sproul

Liberty In Our Land

"He who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)."
                                                                                                                                  James 1:25




In the Old Testament, when the nation of Israel sinned and rebelled against God, they often ended up either in captivity or were exiled from their land. During the Babylonian captivity, God used Babylon as His instrument of judgment for Israel's idolatry, sin, and rebellion. King Nebuchadnezzar lead his armies against Judah until most of Jerusalem was destroyed, including the Jewish temple.

Ironically, it is always the people and the nations that declare themselves to be "free" from God and His ways that end up in servitude or captivity. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of captivity is "the state of being kept in a place (such as a prison or a cage) and not being able to leave or be free: the state or condition of being captive". Freedom becomes obsolete, as does the ability to make free choices. Interestingly, captivity provides the illusion that there is independence when, in actuality, there are tight boundaries.

Whether we acknowledge it or not, The United States grows more in captivity everyday. According to a study done by Columbia University, there are currently 40 million Americans that meet the criteria for addiction to nicotine, alcohol, and drugs. In addition to this number, there are another 80 million who are deemed "risky substance users" which threaten public health and safety.

It would be bad enough if the statistics for bondage ended here. However, they do not. There are another 40 million people who visit internet pornography sites on a regular basis. Approximately one out of every five internet searches on mobile devices are for pornography. Studies have shown that as addiction to pornography increases, so does desensitization and acting out sexually, which also causes public health and safety issues in our nation.

Still, there is more. There are also addictions to: gambling (8 million people), shopping (18 million people), work (47 million people), food (17 million people), sex (12 million people), and video games (28 million people). Anytime people cannot control their actions or make rational decisions there is a bondage, especially in the face of negative consequences. When there is a bondage there is likely a deception that accompanies it that denies its very existence.

These are just the documented addictions of our society. But, what about social media? Cell phones? T.V.? Entertainment? Comfort? Selfishness? The truth is, anytime we are compelled to do something we don't want to do or we do not do something that we want to do, there is a form of bondage (Romans 7:15).

Jesus died not only for us to be set free from bondages, but also for us to be free to do what He has called us to do. The apostle, Paul, said this, "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" (Philippians 3:12). We let go of the hindrances and sin that holds us back so that we can take hold of all that Jesus died for us to have.

This requires that our spirit be stronger than our flesh or our soul. Only this will stop the downward spiral of bondage and captivity that we see in our nation today. Henry Ward Beecher said, "The real democratic American idea is, not that every man shall be on a level with every other man, but that every man shall have liberty to be what God made him, without hindrance."

Even within the churches in America, there are still two overreaching problems that hold us back. The first problem is that we are not connected enough to God and the second problem is that we are too connected to the world. If this were not true we would not have statistics within the church that emulate the statistics within our society.

We must be determined to get more God into our lives and less of the world. If we are committed to doing this we can boldly declare what Paul did, "For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:19).

God wants to refresh and restore our nation, just as He did for the nation of Israel. As was prophesied, after 70 years of exile, the Jews returned to Israel and began building the temple. People returned to God and a revival broke out in the land. The Israelites rejoiced because they had been delivered from the hands of their enemies!

This Thursday, on our National Day of Prayer, would you join me in recommitting your life, your family, and our nation back to God? Would you be willing to fast and pray and declare freedom for the captives? If, in unity, we would pour our hearts out to our loving Heavenly Father and believe Him for a mighty move, I believe we would see the same results the Israelites saw. We would, once again, see God's faithfulness to His people, His judgment of sin, and the absolute certainty of His promises. Perhaps, we could once again hear the bell ringing of Liberty in our Land


   "God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard it and defend it."
                                                           Daniel Webster