You are Beautiful – Created in God’s Image!

Yesterday, over 2 million women marched in America. As I began to research why, my heart broke, and I believe God’s heart breaks too.

Why?

Clearly, many of the ladies that marched are angry, scared, hurting, and wondering what the future holds.

I get it.

The only way to truly face an unknown future, is to first face an unknown God.

His name is Jesus, and He loves you.

His love causes us to rise up and become the people of honor we are created to be: but I have discovered it to be a journey, a process that takes years to begin to understand, as we see things from His perspective, through His Word, not through our pain, and the circumstances of life.

When you receive Him, He changes You, and redirects our entire life into eternal purpose and direction.

He adopts us into His heavenly family, literally making us royalty, sons and daughters of the most High.

This is the gospel, the good news, the love of God expressed:https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/

What is true of Christ is True of You!

                 

You need to see yourself the way God sees you.

If God says you are a certain way, that’s the way you are, no matter what you feel like, look like, or how others see you.

From God’s perspective, you are good news going somewhere to happen. You might as well agree with Him, and cheer yourself up in His word.

What is true of Christ is True of You

I have simply listed a couple of Scriptures, and I ask you, to say, out loud, the truth of each one. It will make your day!

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.(Matt. 5:13)

I am the salt of the earth.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  (Matt. 5:14)

I am the light of the world.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—(John 1:12)

I am a child of God!

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1,5)

I am part  of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.(John 15:16)

I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:18)

I am a slave of righteousness.

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.(Romans 6:22)

I am God’s slave.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 6  Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 6  Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”(Rom. 8:14,15; Gal. 3:26; 4:6)

I am a son of God: God is spiritually my Father.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  (Romans 8:17)

I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 19  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received you are not your own;from God?  (I Cor.3:16; 6:19)

I am a temple – a dwelling place—of God.  His Spirit and His life dwells in me.

But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.  (I Cor. 6:17)

I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  ( 2 Cor 5:17)

I am a new creation.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  (2 Cor. 5:18, 19)

I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.   There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  (Gal 3:26, 28)

I am a son of God and one in Christ.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.  (Gal. 4:6, 7)

I am an heir of God since I am a son of God.

To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 2  To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 2  To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.  (Eph. 1:1;  1 Cor. 1:2;  Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2)

I am a saint.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  (Eph. 2:10)

I am God’s workmanship – His handiwork—Born anew in Christ to do His work.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,  (Eph. 2:19)

I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s family.

4:1  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 4:1  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

I am a prisoner of Christ.

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  (Eph 4:24)

I am righteous and holy.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 6  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:6)

I am a citizen of heaven, seated in leaven right now.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  (Col. 3:3)

I am hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  (Col. 3:4)

I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life.     

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 4  For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, (Col. 3:12; Thess. 1:4)

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.

You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  (I Thess 5:5)

I am a son of light and not of darkness.

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts onJesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.  (Heb. 3:1)

2 Peter 1:4

by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature

I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling.

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.  (Heb. 3:14)

I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life.

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

(I Peter 2:5)

I am one of God’s living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (I Peter 2:9,10)

I am a member  of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  ( I Peter 2:11)

I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  (I Peter 5:8)

I am an enemy of the devil.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  (I John 3:1,2)

I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.  (I John 5:18)

I am born of God, and the evil one—the devil—cannot touch me.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

(Ex. 3:14; John 8:24,28,58)

I am not the great “I am”

.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

(I Cor. 15:10)

    …but by the grace of God, I am what I am.

I am good-looking, God says I am beautiful!

Song of Songs 4:7

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you

Ezekiel 16:13

So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen

Revelation 21:2

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband

Ps 84:1 How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!

Ps 84:1 ERV Lord All-Powerful, the place where you live is so beautiful!

Ps 84:1 EXB Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; ^Tof hosts], how lovely is your ·Temple [^Lresidence; dwelling place]!

Ps 84:1 NLV

How beautiful are the places where You live, O Lord of all!

Ps 84:1 VOICE

For the worship leader. A song of the sons of Korah accompanied by the harp.

 

How lovely is Your temple, Your dwelling place on earth,

O Eternal One, Commander of heaven’s armies.

You are a temple of the Holy Spirit, God Himself lives in You!

You are Beautiful. Loved, Lovely, that makes you Good Looking!

 

Prayer Requests: If you or your family need specific prayer for anything, please send us a prayer request. We as a family will pray for you today, and if you would, please let us know the wonderful ways God answers. This is a great encouragement to us

https://chrisaomministries.com/2017/01/20/the-purpose-of-this-blog-2/

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Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!

 

Laugh Loud at Life!

Don’t Stop!

Acts 17 :5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

In sports and in business, I have heard the statement: ‘Just cause YOU can’t does not mean that I can’t. You are not me’.

Remember watching one of the episodes of ‘The Man from Snowy River’, and the bad guys had stolen Macgregors horses. No one would go with him at first to retrieve them, and he found himself galloping on top of a ridge, high above the outlaws. The lead outlaw said: ‘He is no threat, he cannot get down from there” the other replied: ‘Don’t forget who that is up there’.

That needs to be the way your enemies view you!
Leadership involves championship thinking and actions. You will be opposed by lesser spirits, who do not have the same level of faith, commitment, and zeal as you do, and because of their unbelief, or lack of hearing from God, they cause an uproar, trying to stop you, and the work of God through you.

Welcome to leadership! What are you going to do, when all hell appears arrayed against you, and what you believe God has told you to do? Are you going to overcome evil with good, love your enemies, while exercising violent faith against their traps, obstacles, and tumults, so that they label you, like these first apostles: ‘These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;’

You think Jesus, sitting at the right hand of God Almighty is stressed about the wicked plots and plans of men?

Ps 2:² The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

³ Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

⁴ He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh:

Maybe you have not communicated fully enough with others, and you have operated outside the chain of command somewhat: Which is worse: Bold, zealous actions for God, or paralysis by analysis, where an idea gets wonderfully discussed, but never implemented?

If you blew it, fess up where you messed up, and don’t take yourself too seriously.
Happy is the person who can laugh at himself. He will never cease to be amused.
Habib Bourguiba

It has been said, that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. One of my favorite redneck verses, when I am falsely accused is Ps 50:9 : I will receive no bull out of your house! LOL! Had fun preaching it to men: https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/no-bull/

Laugh in the face of adversity, and make the devil mad! Love people, take ground for the gospel, and mobilize strategic air strikes on behalf of the kingdom of God (prayer that blasts principalities and powers), and keep on turning the world of darkness upside down, til it is all right side up, and under the Lordship of Jesus!

The devil said what?

Remember he is a liar, and the father of all lies. The ABC’s of satan are accusation, blame, and criticism. Death by insinuation, that elusive whispering campaign, designed to slime you, discredit you, and make you feel hopeless, discouraged, and inferior. It’s an attack on the favor of God upon your life! Lift up the shield of faith, is it not written: Ps 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Did YOU hear what the devil is saying about me today?

The truth is: You have favor with God and man, as you believe it, receive it, and proclaim it by faith, in the authority granted to you by Jesus! https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/01/18/you-have-friends-in-high-places/

Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

The joy of the Lord is strength, so work yourself up at least a little gleeful giggle today if you are going through stuff, because you are a little too bold to be contained, in peoples current understanding. Love em, instruct them where you can, and then move on, in obedience to Holy Spirit.

Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

No test, no testimony, no guts, no glory, no testimony for the newsletter story. Take time to laugh today, greater is He in you, than all those arrayed against you.

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, I thank you for boldness today, making me to blessed to be distressed, too anointed to be disappointed, to powerful for the devil and unbelieving men to contain. Jesus! I love you, and thank you for your goodness, grace, and for speaking to me today! You are the way, and my waymaker, making a way through this, causing me to emerge victorious over it all, for victory is my DNA, the natural result of my obedience to you. Amen!’

Warrior Strength

Warrior Strength!

Ps 33:16
The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.

17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
for all its strength, it cannot save you.

18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.

19 He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine

It is good to be strong, but strength, weapons, great leadership, and military will not protect and deliver you in the day of battle.

Jesus alone will do that.

Always remember when you see wicked people, that their next heartbeat is only granted them at the hands of their Creator. ‪#‎JesusIsLord‬

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember, faith in the battle will bring victory:

Remember Daivid’s mighty men?

We read of Shammah:

2 Samuel 23:12

But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.

Remember warrior, Jesus will give victory when we fight for what is right…

Let’s pray:

‘Psalm 144:1

Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: God Almighty may I stand strong in this generation for You and Your cause, unafraid of wickedness, bold in my faith and my warfare for Jesus. Amen’

 

You’re Who affects Your Do, until we are through

Who You Are In Christ!

                 

I have been impressed the past couple of days, to write on, who we are in Christ, that is the way God our Father sees us.

You need to see yourself the way God sees you. If God says you are a certain way, that’s the way you are, no matter what you feel like, look like, or how others see you. From God’s perspective, you are good news going somewhere to happen. You might as well agree with Him, and cheer yourself up in His word.

Before we begin, let me repeat for you a story I read about the importance of understanding who we are as sons and daughters of God.

One day, a slave approached his master and requested that he would treat him like a child and no longer a slave. The master replied, ‘behave like a child and I would treat you like a child’. So the boy started to do all in his power to behave like a child so as to make his master happy and call him his child.

One day, true to the master’s word, he took him to an outing where dignitaries were present. The man was the guest of honour and so his child was seated by his side.

After a little while, the child excused himself to the toilet. Shortly afterwards, report flickered back to the master that ‘his son’ was in the waste bin picking left over foods. The man quickly retorted, ‘he is not my child, he is my slave’.

Gal 4:1 ¶  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Now, obviously, this story is that of an earthly father, not of our heavenly one. God is good, and even if we like a dog returning to our own vomit, go back to the trash cans of life, He does not give up on us, but extends grace upon grace, laborer upon laborer, until you begin to act as the royal child you are called to be.

The difference between this slave and you is this: You have been adopted into the family of God. You are indeed a child of the King, a son or daughter of the most High God. This truth allows us to hold our heads up high, dignity and honor restored, for indeed we have become royalty unto Him!

Revelation 1:6

and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10

and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

We are training for reigning, bowed before the King of all Kings, the Great High priest of our confession, our Lord Jesus Christ!

Yet, we must learn, become trained in holiness, grace, wisdom, obedience, honor, faith and the royal law of love, in order to be granted, from the throne of God, actual, practical authority both in heaven and in earth.

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, I come before you sir, as Your child. I have received you Lord Jesus, and I am so grateful that You have adopted me into Your family, and called me to royalty, grace, and honor. Show me who I am in you, my place in Your kingdom, and the purpose for which you created me. Give me courage to fully embrace Your call, No Compromise, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen! Aho!’

For prayer, comments, or to donate online:

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

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Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!

Seeing ourselves as God sees us…Beautiful!

What is true of Christ is True of You!

                 

You Need to see yourself the way God sees you. If God says you are a certain way, that’s the way you are, no matter what you feel like, look like, or how others see you. From God’s perspective, you are good news going somewhere to happen. You might as well agree with Him, and cheer yourself up in His word.

What is true of Christ is True of You

I have simply listed a couple of Scriptures, and I ask you, to say, out loud, the truth of each one. It will make your day!

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.(Matt. 5:13)

I am the salt of the earth.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  (Matt. 5:14)

I am the light of the world.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—(John 1:12)

I am a child of God!

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1,5)

I am part  of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.(John 15:16)

I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:18)

I am a slave of righteousness.

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.(Romans 6:22)

I am God’s slave.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 6  Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 6  Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”(Rom. 8:14,15; Gal. 3:26; 4:6)

I am a son of God: God is spiritually my Father.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  (Romans 8:17)

I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 19  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received you are not your own;from God?  (I Cor.3:16; 6:19)

I am a temple – a dwelling place—of God.  His Spirit and His life dwells in me.

But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.  (I Cor. 6:17)

I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  ( 2 Cor 5:17)

I am a new creation.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  (2 Cor. 5:18, 19)

I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.   There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  (Gal 3:26, 28)

I am a son of God and one in Christ.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.  (Gal. 4:6, 7)

I am an heir of God since I am a son of God.

To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 2  To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 2  To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.  (Eph. 1:1;  1 Cor. 1:2;  Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2)

I am a saint.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  (Eph. 2:10)

I am God’s workmanship – His handiwork—Born anew in Christ to do His work.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,  (Eph. 2:19)

I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s family.

4:1  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 4:1  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

I am a prisoner of Christ.

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  (Eph 4:24)

I am righteous and holy.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 6  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:6)

I am a citizen of heaven, seated in leaven right now.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  (Col. 3:3)

I am hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  (Col. 3:4)

I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life.     

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 4  For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, (Col. 3:12; Thess. 1:4)

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.

You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  (I Thess 5:5)

I am a son of light and not of darkness.

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts onJesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.  (Heb. 3:1)

2 Peter 1:4

by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature

I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling.

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.  (Heb. 3:14)

I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life.

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

(I Peter 2:5)

I am one of God’s living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (I Peter 2:9,10)

I am a member  of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  ( I Peter 2:11)

I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  (I Peter 5:8)

I am an enemy of the devil.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  (I John 3:1,2)

I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.  (I John 5:18)

I am born of God, and the evil one—the devil—cannot touch me.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

(Ex. 3:14; John 8:24,28,58)

I am not the great “I am”

.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

(I Cor. 15:10)

    …but by the grace of God, I am what I am.

I am good-looking, God says I am beautiful!

Song of Songs 4:7

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you

Ezekiel 16:13

So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen

Revelation 21:2

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband

Ps 84:1 How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!

Ps 84:1 ERV Lord All-Powerful, the place where you live is so beautiful!

Ps 84:1 EXB Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; ^Tof hosts], how lovely is your ·Temple [^Lresidence; dwelling place]!

Ps 84:1 NLV

How beautiful are the places where You live, O Lord of all!

Ps 84:1 VOICE

For the worship leader. A song of the sons of Korah accompanied by the harp.

How lovely is Your temple, Your dwelling place on earth,

O Eternal One, Commander of heaven’s armies.

You are a temple of the Holy Spirit, God Himself lives in You!

You are Beautiful. Loved, Lovely, that makes you Good Looking!

For prayer, comments, or to donate online:

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

Donate on-line: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=95XHSDDXDS7MC

Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!

 

IN HIM we live and move and Have our being!

In Whom We Live and Move and Have Our Being!

Let’s get into the Word of God:

Ps 18:2  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Mt 3:17  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mt 12:18  Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

Mt 17:5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Mr 1:11  And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Because of Jesus, God has adopted you into His family. You are His child. Because of the blood of Jesus, you have complete and total access to the throne of God. May you hear in your heart, the same words Father God spoke of Jesus over 2000 years ago.

“This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased”. This is my beloved daughter, in whom I am well pleased.”

As you put God’s word in your mouth, and proclaim His promises, Mt. 12:18 and 17:5 is true of you, ‘Behold my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased, he (or she) shows forth my judgements to the Gentiles, hear him”

Isa 45:11  Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

 Do it respectfully, humbly, with a good attitude. Remember, He is our Father, and He loves us! Yet, He loves to be trusted and believed! Any fire, passion and zeal you exhibit, needs to be against the world, the flesh and the devil, for God cannot lie, and He loves us!

God is waiting to hear His word echoed out of the earth from and to heaven, that he may display His acts of power to this generation. When His word is spoken in authority here in the earth, He backs it up in power.

Even angels listen for the Word of God given voice in the earth, for they are ministering spirits sent forth from God to minister for us, the promises of God.

Ps 103:20  Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Heb 1: 13  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

14    Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Let’s see this again in another familiar passage of Scripture,

Acts 2:17  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

See it here, the divine connection. God pours out His Spirit upon us, and we prophesy (that is, speak His Word), He backs up His word with His power (which includes angels), as He shows forth wonders in heaven above, and signs here in the earth beneath, all for one main purpose, that many shall call on the name of the Lord, and be saved.

In light of eternity, you are one of the redeemed, saved from death, hell and the grave. Yet you are also a child of destiny, called into God’s great redemptive plan to work with Him in the redemption of others. This will involve using His authority, granted to you through Christ, over the world, the flesh and the devil. Therefore it is essential child of God that you see yourself as you truly are in Him, that you can understand and exercise your rights and privileges as His royal heir.

Let’s continue to look at your identity, in Him, by studying what the Word of God says of the following: In Him, In whom, and In Christ.

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Notice, here, that those people who are not born-again, are not in Him. They are literally found spiritually, in darkness. Satan is referred to as the god of this world, and he works through deception and lies. There is no power encounter required between God and the devil, rather it is a truth encounter that makes freedom available. This verse shows again how Satan, the father of lies works. Through thoughts, in the minds of people, he convinces them of the irrationality the simplicity of Jesus brings to any individual that simply believes.

“What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

– A.W. Tozer

Ro 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Let’s agree with the Word of God, revealed to us here.

Declare, ‘Thank-you Father, that the glorious light of the gospel of Christ, has shone upon me. I believe that I am not conformed to this world and it’s way of thinking, but am being transformed by the renewing of my mind. By faith, I declare, that I have the mind of Christ.:

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Let’s declare, “Thank-you Father for my redemption through the precious blood of Jesus, for forgiving my sins, and for the riches of your grace towards me.”

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Let’s declare, “Thank-you Father for my inheritance, that you have already decided to give to me in Jesus. I believe I receive it, now.”

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Let’s declare, “Father, because I trust in you, having heard the truth, I have been sealed by the Holy Spirit you promised.”

Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

1Pe 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Let’s declare, “Father, I desire the sincere milk of your word, and I thank-you for growing me up in you.”

Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Let’s declare, “I thank you Father, for building me up in you, a temple of the Holy Spirit here in the earth. Thank-you for make me a living stone, your spiritual house, a priest made acceptable to you by Jesus Christ. I praise you, and worship you for what you have done, offering up a spiritual sacrifice to you. Hallelujah!”

Eph 3:12  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Pr 28:1  The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Declare, “Though I am meek, I am not weak, and I am faithful to you. Thank-you for boldness to live for you today.”

Col 2:3  In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Pr 2:3  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Isa 45:3  And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

Let’s pray, for in these verses are great provisions and change for your life.

“Father, I see that in Jesus, are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I seek knowledge and understanding, that I might understand your fear O Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Please grant me treasures out of darkness, and your hidden riches from secret places, that it might be known that you Lord, which call me by name, are the God of Israel.”

Joh 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Let’s pray, “Father, I have not seen you, yet I believe, and am blessed beyond what I can ask or think. I love you, for you are so good to me, granting me joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

Suggested Reading:

Victory over Darkness – Dr. Neil Anderson

Personal Promise Bible – Dr Jerry Savelle.

In Him

Ge 18:18  Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

Declare: I believe that the blessing of Abraham is mine, and that all the nations of the earth, are being blessed, through me!

Ps 2:12  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Say: “I’m Blessed!”

Ps 18:30  As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

‘Lord, I believe you are my buckler, because I trust in You!

Ps 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Ps 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Ps 62:8  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Pr 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Declare: “You are my shield!”

Mt 14:2  And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

In this passage, people were wondering who Jesus was, for they had seen the presence of God at work in the ministry of John the Baptist, convicting of sin and calling people to repentance. Yet, for the sake of this study, I will use this text to assure you that our Lord Jesus is still a miracle man, God the Son, and mighty works still shew forth themselves in him.

Acts 2:22  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Everywhere Jesus went in His earthly ministry, miracles were wrought. You too are a son or daughter of God. Everywhere you go, miracles should be wrought.

How? By faith, and by the operation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, working in the earth, gives gifts to his church, nine in all. They are listed here.

1 Cor 12:7  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

The Scripture admonishes us to earnestly desire these gifts, while walking in the love of God. 1 Corinthians 12:31  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

It must then, be a regular practice of every Christian to seek God for His spiritual gifts, to aid a hurting humanity. The working of miracles is one of these gifts. God wants to use you to heal the sick, divide the loaves and fishes, turn water into wine, whatever it takes to meet human need, and to both glorify Him and turn many to Him. We have not, because we ask not, it is time to regularily ask God for miracles to abound in our daily lives. John 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Let’s pray, “Father, I see that miracles are your calling card in the earth, and I want to be like Jesus, in the working of miracles. I ask you Holy Spirit to do miracles in my life, manifesting the greater works Jesus promised for my generation. Amen”

Homework:

1. Go lay hands on some sick people, pray for someones finances, believe for a marriage to be restored, whatever He leads you to do, and see the awesome power of God displayed in your life.

2. Testify over the remainder of how God is continuing to manifest miraculously through your life.

For prayer, comments, testimonies, or to donate online:

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

Donate on-line: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=95XHSDDXDS7MC

Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!

Obedience – Whatever HE says, DO IT!

I’ve read that when Edward VI, the king of England in the 16th century, attended a worship service, he stood while the Word of God was read. He took notes during this time and later studied them with great care. Through the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. That’s the kind of serious-minded response to truth the apostle James calls for in today’s Scripture reading. A single revealed fact cherished in the heart and acted upon is more vital to our growth than a head filled with lofty ideas about God.

One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it.

Chambers, Our Daily Bread, March 4, 1993

Jesus is a living Lord, and He speaks to His children!

John 10:27 New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Some people are so busy, trying to make a living; they forget the author of all life.

Like you can have a better plan than Jesus?!?

Christ went more readily ad crucem (to the cross), than we do to the throne of grace.

Thomas Watson

It would be good to develop the humility and heart of Jesus earthly mother, Mary as she says:

 John 2:5

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, “The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master”.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, p. 22

It’s always a question of Lordship, is Jesus truly in charge of your heart and decisions?

Are we seeking Him first?

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

It is easy to say Jesus is Lord of our decisions, when we are alone with Him in prayer, but challenges will come!

John Kenneth Galbraith, in his autobiography, A Life in Our Times, illustrates the devotion of Emily Gloria Wilson, his family’s housekeeper:

It had been a wearying day, and I asked Emily to hold all telephone calls while I had a nap. Shortly thereafter the phone rang. Lyndon Johnson was calling from the White House.

“Get me Ken Galbraith. This is Lyndon Johnson.”

“He is sleeping, Mr. President. He said not to disturb him.”

“Well, wake him up. I want to talk to him.”

“No, Mr. President. I work for him, not you. When I called the President back, he could scarcely control his pleasure. “Tell that woman I want her here in the White House.”

John Kenneth Galbraith, A Life in Our Times,  Houghton Mifflin, Reader’s Digest, December, 1981

Always obey God, not man!

Deuteronomy 13:4

Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him and cleave unto Him

Dr. B.J. Miller once said, “It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibilities of not doing it.”

Today In The Word, November, 1989, p.11

Luke 9:23

And He said to them all, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

“It is not the importance of the thing, but the majesty of the Lawgiver, that is to be the standard of obedience…Some, indeed, might reckon such minute and arbitrary rules as these as trifling. But the principle involved in obedience or disobedience was none other than the same principle which was tried in Eden at the foot of the forbidden tree. It is really this: Is the Lord to be obeyed in all things whatsoever He commands? Is He a holy Lawgiver? Are His creatures bound to give implicit assent to His will?”

Andrew Bonar, referring to the laws found in Leviticus, quoted in J. Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness,   p. 23.

Matthew 22:37

 Jesus said unto him, “‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.’

Isaiah 33:22 21st Century King James Version

²² For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us.

Imagine, if you will, that you work for a company whose president found it necessary to travel out of the country and spend an extended period of time abroad. So he says to you and the other trusted employees, “Look, I’m going to leave. And while I’m gone, I want you to pay close attention to the business. You manage things while I’m away. I will write you regularly. When I do, I will instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from this trip.” Everyone agrees.

He leaves and stays gone for a couple of years. During that time he writes often, communicating his desires and concerns. Finally he returns. He walks up to the front door of the company and immediately discovers everything is in a mess–weeds flourishing in the flower beds, windows broken across the front of the building, the gal at the front desk dozing, loud music roaring from several offices, two or three people engaged in horseplay in the back room. Instead of making a profit, the business has suffered a great loss. Without hesitation he calls everyone together and with a frown asks, “What happened? Didn’t you get my letters?”

You say, “Oh, yeah, sure. We got all your letters. We’ve even bound them in a book. And some of us have memorized them. In fact, we have ‘letter study’ every Sunday. You know, those were really great letters.” I think the president would then ask, “But what did you do about my instructions?” And, no doubt the employees would respond, “Do? Well, nothing. But we read every one!”

Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 242.

Matthew 7:21

“Not every one that saith unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father who is in Heaven.

James 1:22 [Full Chapter]

But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Well, simple preaching, now I need to do what I just preached, and get on with the work of my day:

Let’s pray:

‘Father God in Heaven, Creator of Heaven and earth, You who created me, Speak to me I pray. Lord Jesus, cause me to hear your voice in every area of my life, and grant me the courage to fully obey you, above every other voice, no compromise. Amen!”

A Shark Story

When I was young and full of fire, living for adventure, I completed the Underwater Skills program at Seneca College in King City, Ontario, qualifying me as a commercial diver and underwater welder. When I was 16, my dad had been posted to Norfolk, VA, to take the next level of his officer training as a naval officer, and they had a great youth program, that allowed me to take my NAUI scuba certification. I loved diving, and the ocean, and so Seneca’s training was a great fit for my adventurous personality. After graduation, I went up to Honey Harbour, Ontario, and worked a couple seasons on a cable laying barge, laying telephone cable that connected telephone lines to what is known as the ’10,000 islands’ on the East side of Georgian Bay. Round about October, or November, when things were starting to freeze up, I would buy myself a ticket, and head south to Key West, Florida to go treasure hunting with Mel Fisher. Got to work one winter for Mel’s son, captain Kane, aboard the ‘Dauntless’.

http://www.melfisher.com/SalvageOperations/TributeToMel.asp

Now this treasure hunting is quite an experience. Mel had 8 or nine boats working for him in his fleet, and people signed a contract for a percentage of treasure found. Mel had previously discovered the ‘Marguerita’, with 22 million dollars of silver and gold recovered, and investors made money, as did crew members that year, for contracts were signed by the year, anticipating the find of the sister ship, ‘the Atocha’, that historians record as having sunk in the same storm with hundreds of millions of gold and silver bullion aboard.

There were generally two types of boats in the fleet, search boats and dive boats. Search boats tow various metal detecting equipment, and dive boats are equipped with digging equipment, as the area the ships were known to have been lost, is known as ‘The Quicksands’, with the bottom covered with constantly moving and shifting underwater sand dunes, that are often 30-40’ high. The dive boats are equipped with air lifts, and a neat thing called ‘mailboxes’. These mailboxes, are huge elbow shaped tubes, that fold down over the propellers of the ship. We had little Boston whaler skiffs with outboard motors, that we would use to fly anchors out on three or four sides of the dive boat, so that these mailboxes could be folded down over the propellers of the dive boat, and pinned in place. The boat would them rev up it’s engines, and blast the prop wash down into the bottom, quickly digging a hole in the bottom 30’ or more deep, all the way down to bedrock. Then, the engines are idled back, to direct a stream of clear, surface water down into the hole. We then, as divers, would grab metal detectors, and would scoot down to the bottom, to see if any silver, gold, or lead musket balls had been uncovered by the blast.

We were allowed to keep our first silver or gold coin found, I still have my 1622 silver piece of eight to this day.

There was a wonderful side benefit to all of this digging in the sand. When we dug the first hole in the morning, the props would immediately uncover any clams, worms, crabs etc, that had been under the sand. Huge schools of fish would begin to congregate around the digging area, so that by the end of an 8-10 hour day of digging, there were literally thousands of fish swimming around the hole with us as we continue to work our metal detectors. We would begin to view the menu for the evenings feast throughout the day…

Now, we were not allowed to spear fish during the day, as any blood in the water would attract sharks, but at the end of the day, just as the sun was setting, we would descend with spear guns, and shoot a dozen or so fish, for Hor De Orby’s (hors d’oeuvres). Probably 8-10 of these fish were grouper or snappers, or some type of delicacy, that we would quickly fillet and hand to the cook, to bread and fry up, as we began the evening chores of washing out dive equipment, greasing ‘O’ rings, filling tanks, cleaning the deck, etc, as we began the three hour ride into harbour, where we would anchor out for the night. These were gratefully served as snacks enroute, before our evening feast. Usually, we anchored at Marquesis Key, as it’s channel enters into the only coral atoll in US waters.

We would take all the fish guts, scales, etc, with any trash fish we had speared, and put this in a 45 gallon garbage container, with about 5 gallons of sea water. Someone, over the years, had welded a shark hook to a 3’ length of chain, that we would attach to a clevis on the end of one of our spare anchor lines.

Then after the traditional nightly feast, we play cards on deck, and then hook up a 2-5lb trash fish to this shark hook, and let the line drift back behind the boat 50-100 yards. Every couple of minutes, we would scoop up some of the blood and guts from the 45 gallon trash can, and we would chum for sharks.

For a couple of weeks, all we caught was one skinny little 5’ hammerhead, so I had a hard time believing the stories of the monster sharks the crew had caught in previous years. Sounded like fish stories to me….

Well, one night, there was a ‘glow in the dark’ plankton bloom that was awesome to see. The water was really clear and calm, and you could look down into the dark, and anywhere something moved, these plankton would light up, leaving a glowing trail when a fish swam. Every crest of every wavelet would light up, and it was really peaceful and picturesque. Looked like those greenish glow sticks that people wave around on July 4^th fireworks: Really beautiful.

Round about 10-11Pm captain Kane told me to pull in that shark hook, and go to bed. I was really tired, and nodding off, but I really wanted to catch one of those big sharks everyone talked about. I pleaded with him to leave the shark hook out, and he said I could on one condition: ‘If you hook a big tiger shark, and it fouls that line in the props, you are first diver in with a knife, to cut the props free.”

“Sure!” I said!

So, I dumped the whole trash can full of chum over the side, and rinsed out the container. Then I thought: ‘How will I know if I get a bite in the middle of the night?’ So, I pulled in about 40 feet of rope, and figure-eighted it around a 70 lb spare Danforth anchor that we had stowed around a set of bollards behind the cabin where we slept. I figured that if a shark hooked itself, it would rattle that anchor on the metal deck, and I would wake up and pull him in.

Finally, I went to bed, and fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

In the middle of the night, I was awakened the sound of a loud ‘clang’, and the boat was shaking, and everyone was up, and men were yelling: ‘We got a shark, we got a shark!’ There was the sound of gun shots, as I sleepily ran to the back deck of the Dauntless. They had a spotlight, trying to spot the fin of this huge shark exploding through the surf behind the boat. When the monster had taken the bait, it had flown that 70lb anchor 40’ through the air, and the anchor was pinned against the back guard rail so hard that two men, could not pull it off. As the fish exploded from side to side behind the boat, it seemed like the entire ocean lit up from the line, like a ‘glow in the dark’ football field. A couple of us tried to pull it in, but the rope just tore open our hands, and the entire boat was shaking from the fight!

Each time the fin of this thing would surface, captain Kane would squeeze off a couple of rounds from the .303 rifle we kept on clips for sharks and pirates.

“Bam, Bam! I think I hit him! Bam! Bam!’

Finally, someone had an idea to fire up the big 6-71 Jimmy motors, and hook up one of the winches we used for pulling anchors. Quickly, a snatch block was run off the side, and the rope run through it. We then engaged the winch, and began hauling this beast in. As it got closer, Kane managed to get a couple rounds into it’s head, and the fight was over. Yet, we couldn’t lift it!

So, we placed the rope around a brace, and began winching it in, to discover we had caught a 9 foot, 550 lb lemon shark. Teeth, going somewhere to happen.

Problem was, that even though the fish was dead, it’s jaws would still clamp shut involuntarily, and I had to duct tape a fillet knife to the end of a broom handle to cut the hook out. I wanted to gut it, and put it in our walk in cooler, but Kane wouldn’t let me, so as the knife did its work, the body of the beast dropped off, and descended into the deep, clear waters. We followed it with the spotlight into the deep, and I remember the words my father had ingrained in me as a young boy: “Son, if you are going to kill something, you better eat it!’ I thought about what a waste of good meat that was, and how that shark would never have bothered us diving, or probably even come close to us, as lemon sharks are fish eaters, not generally known to attack people.

Well, the moral of the story:

Sharks are rather amazing creatures I’ve found. A shark’s primary sense is a keen sense of smell. It can detect one drop of blood in a million drops of water (25 gallons or 100 liters) and can smell blood 0.25 mile (0.4 km) away. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/sharks/anatomy/Senses.shtml

By throwing ladlefuls of blood into the water behind the boat, sharks would hone in on the scent trail, and would readily take the bait placed for them.

So it is in our life. God is love, and we who know Jesus, are His children, designed to walk in love, life, light, strength, power and authority in the earth. With Him, we are invincible, and satan knows this.

So, he has to do something to get through our impregnable armor.

God forgives us, but commands us to forgive others:

Colossians 3:13

Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].

Luke 6:37  “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Mark 11:25

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.

Mark 11:26

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.

God commands us to forgive people who do us wrong, but in the business of life, people can tick us off, and we can get offended. This is a bait of satan, designed to get us out of the will of God for our lives. John Bevere has a tremendous book by this title http://archive.org/details/JohnBevereTheBaitOfSatan that you can download.

2 Corinthians 2:11

To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.

This is one of the wiles of satan, a trap designed to destroy us.

Unforgiveness to the devil, is like blood is to a shark.

1 Peter 5:8

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

Satan is a predator, trying to devour our lives. He cannot touch us when we are fully walking with God, in love towards our fellow man, so, he sends people to do us wrong, with the intent purpose to get us in unforgiveness. Why?

Remember the story Jesus told in Matt 18 about the servant who owed a huge debt he could not pay, and how he was brought before the king? He asked for mercy, and the king graciously forgave him, and released him from his debt. This man then went out, saw another guy that owed him a small amount, and had the man thrown in prison. Servants told the king, who then had him arrested and brought back to court. His verdict?

(Mat 18:33 NIV)  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’

(Mat 18:34 NIV)  In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

I want you to see this. Unforgiveness will produce torment in your life.!

When you or I choose not to forgive, we go into bondage. You get turned over to the tormenters.

(Mat 18:35 NIV)  “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Unforgiveness brings torment into our lives, and allows the devil to come and do what he does, kill our dreams, steal our joy, blessing, or perhaps our lives, and destroy things that may have taken us years to build.

Grudges only hurt us, not the person we hate or stonewall, for they allow demonic spirits to torture us, and steal our peace. Forgive: It’s your life at stake…

Homework:

1.      Come clean with God. Ask Him to show you all the things you’ve done that offend him, and ask Him to Forgive you Come clean with others. Ask God to show you all the people who have hurt you, and forgive them. I had to make a 21 page list, forgive them, then burn the list.
2.      Come clean with yourself. Ask God to show you all the areas of your life where you are beating yourself up, and forgive yourself.
3.   Ask God to show you other people that are caught in this trap, and pray for them. There will be healing in it for you. (Job 42:10 NIV)  After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.

Make the impossible, possible!

All things are possible to them that believe!

Past couple of days, I have been sharing deep, introspective truth, but sometimes, we need to get back to the basics of life. God is All Mighty! Jesus is Lord! He will use His power to help us when we believe!

Facing some impossibilities in your life?

Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Yes, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Love is the currency of the kingdom by which everything works. Galatians 5:6 but faith which worketh by love.

So you must receive the love of God to recognize your worth. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

You are a child of the King, powerful in Him, simply and only because you have received Him. There is no way you can love your neighbour as yourself, unless you receive the love of God for yourself. If you don’t know God loves you deeply and intimately, so that your self-worth is established in Him, then your neighbour is in trouble.

We are talking about impossibilities though, and Jesus said that all things are possible to them that believe. Believe what you may ask?

Believe that you are precious. Royalty! A child of the King! You are adopted into the most powerful family this earth has ever seen, the family of the most High God!

You may be in the crosshairs of hell, but heavens arsenal responds with howitzers in the hands of angels. He has charged His angels to watch over you, the 91st Psalm declares. Heaven has not lost track of you or me, Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you, and the host of heaven walks with you. You have guardian angels, and because you serve the Lord of glory, king of heaven, Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Though you may feel alone and helpless, Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you, and the specific angels assigned to you, are delivering you from your current circumstance and trial, even though you might not bee able to see, touch, hear, or feel them right now. They are with you, and they fight for you!

You are loved, and because you are loved, your faith will work.

Faith, that is what you believe, moves mountains. Your mouth is what unleashes heavens arsenal against the onslaught of hell against you. That silent belief deep within you has the strength to carry you to untold heights if you would only speak it.

Tears alone do not move God
Desperation does not intimidate God
Manipulation does not control God
Education does not influence God
Faith is the only voice God respects.
Faith is the only method that impresses God to activate miracles.

Faith has a voice. If you believe something, you are going to say something. Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so!

It’s a voice activated system. Your voice, is your address in the realm of the Spirit, and heaven is listening intently, for you child of God, to cry unto Him, to declare into this war torn, sin-sick earth, His promises, His decrees, and His glory, that again, His answer of power brings glory honor and praise, as your testimony, creates eternal witness in this generation of His covenant, His faithfulness, His mercy, greatness and love!

Do you need direction? The word of God declares that it belongs to you. If you are a child of God, you know what to do. Why?

1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

John 16:13 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

After you are heading the right direction, do you need to know how to proceed?

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Faith comes by hearing the voice of God.

He will speak to you!

John 10:27 New King James Version (NKJV)

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Then after you hear, I’m going to be like Mary.

John 2:5
His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

If you believe something, you are going to do something.

Faith can be seen.

Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Faith can be seen!

Matthew 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Luke 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Not only can faith be seen, but when you exercise it, it will produce sight!

Mark 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Now some people do ‘acts of faith’ to impress other people, but this is a waste of time.

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

True faith cares not what people think about what they do, but makes headlines in heaven because God sees.

Job 28:10 He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.
11 He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.
12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

There are times in life, when there is no earthly solution to our problems. All of our work, study, knowledge, and friendships, fail, and we stand, face to face with only ourselves looking back in the mirror, alone.

Yet, this is a wonderful place to be in! Why? Look up, for this verse is clear,
12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

What we need is not found in the land of the living! It comes from heaven, from the throne of God, and in His light, we see light!

At the end of our particular stand of faith, is One who stands forever faithful, enthroned in the heavens, and though we may appear to have failed in the eyes of all men, and even our own eyes, it is not over yet! There is one move voice to be heard in this situation, the voice of Jesus, and now matter what you are going through, He is well able to deliver you, today!

What is more precious to God but to be believed?

His only pleasure is to be trusted.
His greatest pain is to be doubted.

God continually arranges scenarios that require your confidence in Him.

You’ve looked to books, to men, to the right and to the left for deliverance from your dilemma. Look up, for your redemption draweth nigh.

Yet can God see what I’m going through? I thought He was a Spirit.

Psalms 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?

God sees all, knows all and would guide you if you seek him. Psalms 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

God sees alright, and He is looking around the world constantly, for one thing. Faith. A heart full of faith will move Him every time. In fact He will pass over millions, even billions of people to get to one person who believes.

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

The question is do we have confidence towards God?

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Are you seeking Him? Is He first place? Repent! Believe! Speak to your mountain! Obey! Move towards your dream, and God will move your dream towards you.

Faith releases a flow of miracles into your life. Fear releases heartache and misery into your life.

Step back into the miraculous today.

Let’s pray!

Father, I choose to believe you today. You said that you would guide me, so I trust you to show me what I need to do. I ask you for wisdom, and according to your Word, I receive it right now. I ask you for favor, and I believe you are granting it to me, right now. I ask you for provision, and I believe I receive it, right now. I ask you for forgiveness and mercy, and I thank you for forgiving me, and cleansing me, and revealing again to me your love. Fill me Lord, heal me Lord, grant me boldness and strength to serve you today, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!

Dark Night of the Soul

Commitment
Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
The Bohemian reformer John Hus was a man who believed the Scriptures to be the infallible and supreme authority in all matters. He died at the stake for that belief in Constance, Germany, on his forty-second birthday. As he refused a final plea to renounce his faith, Hus’s last words were, “What I taught with my lips, I seal with my blood.”
Source Unknown.
Ever notice that to try something out, is easy. To fully commit, and go for it, takes everything you’ve got. Couple of years ago, I experienced a mild stroke driving home from work. Blacked out at the wheel on the highway. Amazingly, I came to on the grassy median between the four lanes. Called my wife, and headed into a walk in clinic to discover what had happened. Blood pressure 200/150 meant I needed some meds, and to make some radical life changes in work, diet, exercise, and had to learn a whole new way of living. For a year or so, I simply worked on getting to the gym four times a week, drinking water instead of soft drinks, energy drinks, and gallons of coffee each day, and to add fruits, vegetables, and healthy foods back into my life, instead of simply driving through whatever was close to the job, and chowing down on the meal deal of the day.
Then, I was introduced to P90X! Thought I would do the 90 day gig with my wife just to humor her, and after a day or two was so sore I could hardly move. Tried to start it again with fresh resolve, but man, that program is tough! So, I sat down, read through the program, bought the vitamins, and recovery drink, and then aggressively decided to nail the diet down. This time, I committed!
Took everything I had, but I finished the 90 days! Lost 40 lbs, and bench pressed 315lbs for the first time in my life. Not bad for a 50 year old man! Ended up doing the program 2 more times over the next year and a half, and even ran a bunch of 5km runs. (Now, 2 years later, I need to get back into it…)
Read this quote today, and thought about my radical commitment to Jesus and His calling upon my life:
Suffering is the heritage of the bad, of the penitent, and of the Son of God. Each one ends in the cross. The bad thief is crucified, the penitent thief is crucified, and the Son of God is crucified. By these signs we know the widespread heritage of suffering.
Oswald Chambers in Christian Discipline.
In this life, there are things we go through that are hard. Yet, when we are strong, they are less difficult..usually.
In 1962, Victor and Mildred Goertzel published a revealing study of 413 “famous and exceptionally gifted people” called Cradles of Eminence. They spent years attempting to understand what produced such greatness, what common thread might run through all of these outstanding people’s lives. Surprisingly, the most outstanding fact was that virtually all of them, 392, had to overcome very difficult obstacles in order to become who they were.
Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, 1987, Word Books Publisher, p. 134.
Today’s exhortation is for those of us in the fight. Perhaps this is the long dark night of your soul. Today, I am fighting a health challenge and some personal struggles that are excruciating…Yet, I am not dead, therefore I will not quit!
On a wall in his bedroom Charles Spurgeon had a plaque with Isaiah 48:10 on it: “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” “It is no mean thing to be chosen of God,” he wrote. “God’s choice makes chosen men choice men…We are chosen, not in the palace, but in the furnace. In the furnace, beauty is marred, fashion is destroyed, strength is melted, glory is consumed; yet here eternal love reveals its secrets, and declares its choice.”
W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, p. 223.
Are you in the furnace today? The place where all of our vanity, strength, and foolishness gets destroyed in the flames, and what emerges is the pure gold character of a sanctified life, fully committed to Jesus, with power from heaven that clearly demonstrates to all, that Jesus is fully committed to us….
I still drink coffee in the morning. Thought about quitting, but it brings back many good memories on cold mornings before work, where dad and I would take a fresh loaf of bread out of the bread maker, and drink a pot of coffee together, as we headed out the door in the dark before work. Guess I could quit, but I like my coffee. As I looked at my cup, I saw this quote, and it seems to fit my rambling today:
A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain.
Mildred Witte Struven, in Bits and Pieces, September 19, 1991, p. 6.
I still remember crossing the Atlantic under sail, aboard a 65 schooner named ‘The Illusion’, when I was 21. We were determined to cross the ocean, fully under sail, and 26 days after leaving Key West, Florida, we heard the welcome sound of ‘land ahoy’ as we approached the Azores islands off of Portugal. As the youngest crew member, I always drew night watch, and so we would set our heading, and under the star lit night, swish through the waves in the darkness. Yet, there would come Venus, the one sailors call ‘the morning star’, in the deepest darkness of the night. When we saw her, we knew that soon, the sky would begin to glow, from black, to deep blue, to orange, before the sunrise lit the horizon each day. I remember the dread, and sense of responsibility that I felt, as I struggled to stay awake, and on course as the safety of the other seven sleeping crew members was in my young hands, and the old saying took on new meaning for me:
‘The hour is always darkest before the dawn..’
I am not sure who I am writing for today, but I know it for someone…Don’t give up on your dream!
Let’s pray:
‘Father, You see us, You know where we are at, and how we feel, and Lord Jesus, You are touched by the feelings of our weaknesses. Yet, You are with us. You will never leave us, nor forsake us. Bring Your encouragement, your gentle whispers to our heart that we so need to hear today, that we, straight as an arrow, would fly true to the mark of the high calling upon our lives, without compromise. Cause us to hear, and do, Your perfect will today, Amen!’