-
Our burdens can lead to a Kingdom adventure
Hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit allows us to feel the heart of the Father.
Sometimes we sense a burden, a heavy weight, for someone or something. Our hearts are heavy with care, and we’re not sure what to do.
That’s one of the ways God draws us into His Kingdom work.
We haven’t heard Him say anything, nor have we seen any lightning bolts; any signs from heaven.
We simply feel as though we can’t shake a certain feeling or crushing burden.
It was how God communicated with Nehemiah.
Word came to Nehemiah about the condition of his beloved Jerusalem while he was still in Susa.
“They said to me, ‘The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.’ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1:3,4 NASB)
God used that burden, and subsequent prayers, to lead Nehemiah into a Kingdom of God adventure; one that ultimately displayed God’s glory, and His care for His people.
It was the way He drew Abraham into interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah.
“Now the LORD appeared to him (Abraham) by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.” (Genesis 18:1 NASB)
It wasn’t a fluke, or even a coincidence, that God appeared to His friend that day. And, if you’ll read the rest of the chapter, you’ll discover Abraham had his nephew Lot on his mind and heart, just like God did.
God didn’t HAVE to stop by and give Abraham a head’s up. He could have blasted away and all of Sodom and Gomorrah would have been toast, before Lot and his family had the opportunity to leave.
But God has NEVER been willing that anyone perish. He’s always wanted to save whoever He could.
So He met with Abraham, and, knowing His friend’s heart, drew him in to a conversation which ultimately became intercession.
That’s how He works in our lives, many times.
That person, burden, heartache, etc. we just can’t shake from our mind and heart? It could very well be Father God drawing us in to an intimate conversation about it.
We need to yield, and follow His direction.
The Father looks for those who will work with Him, allowing Him to accomplish His will in the earth.
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV)
“…but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.” (Daniel 11:32 NASB)
Burdened? Quiet your heart before the Lord and see what happens next.
It just may be a Kingdom adventure.
-
Class in a Church Bathroom
(Originally posted as “Troubled Waters”, 3/20/2013)
Lots of life’s lessons happen when we least expect them.
It all happened about 30 years ago, early one Sunday morning.
As usual, I arrived at our church around 5:30 in the morning. I enjoyed having extra preparation time, time to pray and worship God, and time to relax a little before Sunday School classes began.
You see, I saw myself as God’s servant, full of faith and power; God’s man for the hour. Superman!
Some simply referred to me as the pastor.
Our church wasn’t very old at this point, maybe 4 years, and we met in a 30’x40′ metal building that used to be a laundromat. The building had a sanctuary which seated 65 people, 2 classrooms, a hallway, and a unisex bathroom. The bathroom was beautiful, having a marble-like sink, nice big mirror, decent linoleum floor covering, and an average toilet.
The toilet. The place it all happened, early one Sunday morning.
Before I continue my story, I need to explain a thing or three.
First, stuff happens. To me, to you, to whoever. It just happens.
Second, the greater one thinks he is, the greater the pain when he comes face to face with an important truth: “I’m not as great as I think.“
Third, to learn such an important truth, embarrassing situations beyond one’s ability to control sometimes must occur.
It was to be my first time having class in a bathroom.
Okay. I had a morning ritual not unlike most people, which consisted of spending some time on the bathroom throne with some good reading material. Of course, on Sundays my reading material happened to be my morning sermon notes.
I really must interject one important point here. I usually preached between 45 minutes to an hour. Meaning what, you ask? I had a lot of notes to review…(I have since learned length of sermon doesn’t equate to degree of anointing)
Just about the time I was finishing up with both tasks (multi-tasker that I am), I decided to trip the handle on the toilet for a “pre-flush.” Thinking everything was fine, I continued reading and making mental notes while the water swished and swirled beneath me. I was “the man of God” and would dazzle “my” congregation with my ability to “rightly divide the word of God.” I was somebody special and my “Kingdom Stock” was rising.
My “stock” wasn’t the only thing rising.
I suddenly “sensed” something happening that brought me back down to earth; specifically, back to the classroom.
I was feeling water where water shouldn’t be felt!
That’s when things really began to happen. I quickly stood up (wouldn’t you?), turned around, reached for the top of the toilet tank, while keeping my eye on the whirlpool below me. I tried to reach the water shutoff valve while removing the tank top and guess what? I dropped the top onto the floor.
As it hit the floor, I witnessed it breaking into two halves. Nice!
Well, with water rising, me in a precarious position, toilet tank top in pieces on the floor, I finally got the water turned off. Great! Now I can get things cleaned up and get back to my “superman” mode.
I turned back around, preparing to take my rest for a bit longer, while I finished my interrupted job. I sat down and happened to glance at the floor. To my chagrin, I saw brown spots on the floor where I had just been standing. Little spots, trampled spots, lots of little, trampled spots – all over the floor.
And, on the bottom of my shoes.
You know what?
At that point, I forgot all about my sermon and becoming the next spiritual Clark Kent! All I could think about was getting the mess cleaned up before people started arriving.
That “classroom” experience gave me a whole new appreciation for Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” (NLT)
Or, “Pride Goes After The Flush.”
“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”(Romans 12:3 NLT)
-
Are you so tight that you squeak?
Have you ever known people who complained incessantly about how they never had enough money, yet were so tight with everything they owned that they squeaked when they walked?
Maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but really, there are people who are so tight fisted with their money they seem to squeak every time they consider parting with a dime.
Squeak long enough and something will wear out.
“There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” (Proverbs 11:24 – 11:25 NKJV)
Squeakers need oil.
Generosity is the way to make sure everything stays oiled, and in great operating condition.
An example of this is found in the story of the widow woman, her son, and the prophet Elijah.
“Then the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.’ So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, ‘Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?’ As she was going to get it, he called to her, ‘Bring me a bite of bread, too.’ But she said, ‘I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.’
“But Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again.”” (1 Kings 17:8 – 17:14 NLT)
The woman, I’ll call her Gertrude, faced a real dilemma. She could keep what she had, enjoy her last meal with her son, and then die, OR she could trust the man of God and give of what she had.
By the way, the prophet wasn’t being greedy or selfish. Neither is God when He tells you to give when you don’t believe you have the resources.
As for Gertrude, did she REALLY believe she would have only one more meal before she died?
Maybe.
It DOES, however, seem like doomsday when we’re down to our last penny, and our savings account is all but gone.
So Gertrude had a decision to make, just like you and I do sometimes. Would she hold onto the sure thing, or generously give her situation into God’s hand.
Note: A closed fist will neither give out nor receive from others. Though it may be risky, we need to loosen our grip and trust God.
And that’s exactly what Gertrude did.
“So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:15 – 17:16 NLT)
Stinginess reveals at least two things about one’s heart.
1. Their faith is in money
2. Their faith is NOT in God
But God CAN be trusted. His word is true, and its principles are unchanging.
One of the greatest truths we must understand is demonstrated, worldwide, day in and day out: “The Law of Seedtime and Harvest”.
Or, whatever a person sows, that shall they reap.
They will always reap MORE than they’ve sown.
Their seed is multiplied. But if little is sown, there just isn’t much to work with. Lack becomes MUCH lack.
However much a person sows determines how much they’ll reap.
Much sown, then MUCH MUCH will be returned; somehow, some way, at some time.
“Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:6 – 9:8 NLT)
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6:38 NLT)
Jesus wasn’t referring to a specific dollar amount when He said, “The amount you give…”
Rather, He meant, “Squeeze out the bare minimum, and that’s what you’ll receive. Be generous, and experience the generosity of others, as well as of God.”
Remember: loosen your grip and trust God, not your bank account.
Life flows from our generous God and King. He wants that same life to flow through us, as we are generous with all we have.
Squeaks are rarely a pleasant sound.
Let’s make sure we’re well oiled, trusting our God to meet all our needs according to HIS riches in glory.
Just like He promised.
If you’d like to read more on this subject, please click on this link – http://tinyurl.com/htp76f8 (My book-“Breaking the Spirit of Poverty with the Spirit of Generosity”)
-
Only One Shot At Life
No one determines if or when they will be born, and most haven’t a say regarding the day they die.
But we all have some input on how we’re going to live out the days in between.
Whether we only have 10,000 days, or a whopping 35,000 days (almost 96 years), we only have one shot at life.
Life consists of much, much more than inhaling and exhaling, and a heart rate of 80 beats per minute.
It’s more than merely existing.
Some may make a big splash in their world, enjoying much more than fifteen minutes of fame.
But even if we’re the most popular, most powerful, most prestigious person on earth, we have only one shot at life.
One shot at life in our mortal body.
One shot to decide our eternal fate; our endless destiny.
Oh, the days fly by so quickly. We are so easily distracted with the everyday, routine things, that we sometimes ignore the still, small voice whispering to our heart, “There’s more to live for, more to enjoy, than you’re experiencing.”
One day turns into a thousand, and our one shot at life slowly passes us by.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
“He who has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12).
There’s no reason anyone should live another day without life; life that only God can provide.
There isn’t a soul on this big, blue earth who wasn’t created to experience life; an eternal, God-filled life.
We must not let our one shot at life pass us by.
There’s a truth we must all embrace, by faith, in order to have eternal life. Life which takes us far beyond merely existing; both now and forever.
That truth is simple, yet we need God’s help to receive it.
We are, by nature, rotten to the core; undeserving of God’s eternal life and love. We all are selfish and rebellious. We may try and be good, but even if we lived a thousand lifetimes we could never attain the goodness, the holiness, God requires in His Kingdom.
God knew we could never make it on our own, which is why He sent His Son, Who was/is perfect in all of His ways, to become the Father’s once and for all payment for the sins of mankind.
Our shot at life, our one shot at life, is our opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as our Substitute; our Lord and Savior.
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12 NLT)
The right, the privilege, the authority, to become a child of God, a soul made alive with the very life God has AND IS!
Our days have a way of slipping by, and quickly, I might add.
What are you doing with yours?
“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27 NLT)
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9 – 10:10 NLT)
Don’t assume you have another day left to decide. Nothing is promised, nothing is certain.
But if there is breath in your lungs, God is still offering you one shot at life.
Please don’t let it slip by.
“And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” (John 3:36 NLT)
Remember, one shot is all you have.
“For God loved the world (including YOU) so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)
-
A Drop In The Bucket
I’ve had troubles. I’m pretty sure you have as well.No one has to ask or plan for trouble; life seems to have enough to spread around. When you least expect it, trouble has a way of suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
But guess what? All our troubles are a drop in the bucket compared to the overwhelming grace and ability of God Almighty.
Try and imagine the enormity of God.
Notice I said try.
He Who measures the universe by the span of His hand, Who calls the stars by name, and Who speaks, causing the mountains to crumble and fall into the sea.
He Who said, “Light be”, and light was.
Try and imagine the God Who is far greater than anything we can imagine.
Listen to Him say, “With God, all things are possible.”
Watch Him stand outside Lazarus’ tomb. As tears stream down His face, hear Him cry, “Lazarus, come forth!”
See Him reach down and pick up a handful of dirt, add His spit to it, and place the mud pack onto the eyes of the blind man. Then, hear the One Who created all things with His word instruct the blind man to “go and wash.” And he began to see!
And this same One cares about you and I.
He knows our troubles are a drop in the bucket.
Compared to His power.
In the light of His promises.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1 – 91:2 ESV)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1 – 46:3 ESV)
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20 – 3:21 ESV)
So go ahead, make a list of your troubles; name them one by one. Describe them using the most discouraging words you can think of.
Now, put the list into the bucket of God’s person, power, provision, and promise.
You’ll see… they’re only a drop in the bucket.
-
Hate is a Kingdom of God trait
Everyone knows God is love. Yet I believe we should understand He is capable of hating.
A pure, undiluted hate.
And as He is, that’s how we’re supposed to be if we, in fact, are followers and imitators of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
But should we hate when we’re part of the Kingdom of God, what would that hate look like, and how does a person handle such hatred?
The same way we handle every divine attribute of God.
With His grace.
Peter wrote that we’ve been given all things which pertain to life and godliness.
Then he adds:
“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB)There’s more to the Divine (God’s) nature than love, joy, peace, etc.
There’s such a thing called hate!
Notice:
“Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 97:10 NASB)We’re told to hate evil. In fact, unless we understand just how devastating evil is (to the point we hate it like God does) we can never comprehend the “breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:18 – 3:19 NASB)
Too often we’re only inconvenienced by evil, if that. And if evil doesn’t directly affect us, we do nothing about it.
But a true, godly hatred for evil will motivate us as much as God’s love does.
Motivate us to purity and holiness.
“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil.” (Psalm 101:3 – 101:4 NASB)
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16 – 6:19 ESV)
“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13 ESV)
The fear of the Lord is also the beginning of wisdom. Therefore, it is wise to hate what God hates and love what He loves.
With His help.
“Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate…” (Amos 5:15 ESV)
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.” (Amos 5:21 ESV)
The Lord’s words to the folks who play at worship and make a mockery out of naming the Name of Jehovah God.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 ESV)
See? To be a true follower of Jesus there’s more than one test we must pass. Besides the “love the Lord with all our… and our neighbor as ourself” test, we must understand how to hate.
Hate anything and everything that not only tries to stop us from being single minded toward God and His Kingdom, but all that He hates!
See Hebrews 1:8,9
It’s easy to recognize our need for God’s help when it comes to loving those who irritate us.
But may God help us learn how to hate as He hates. Hate sin, injustice, rebellion, wickedness, etc.
Hate it enough to begin to comprehend the depths of His love.
If He’d go to such extremes because of His love or hate, imagine what could happen if we would allow His hate to flow through us.
“Lord, fill me with hatred for evil. May my life be wholly yours, and may I be jealous for Your righteousness to be manifest throughout all the earth.”
-
What is happening to our nation?
“In God We Trust”
Those words have been on all U.S. currency since 1957. Which seems a bit odd to me.
Because ever since that time, this nation has steadily increased its trust in everything BUT God.
However, I don’t believe God is ready to throw in the towel, or ignore those who call on His Name in intercession for this land.
There’s something taking place behind the scenes. No, I’m not referring to back room planning of the RNC or the DNC.
I’m talking about things God is doing, and will continue to do, in the spirit realm.
Two thousand years ago the writer of Hebrews told of a day somewhere in the future when God would shake the heavens and the earth.
“See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.’ Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Hebrews 12:25 – 12:29 NKJV)
Notice “Whose voice then shook the earth…” Not only was the ground shaken, but so were the people; their emotions and self-confidence. They realized just how insignificant they were compared to the Almighty God.
He’s doing the same thing today. We’re seeing some early signs of it, in my opinion.
Regardless of who is elected President of the United States, I think everyone can agree this nation won’t be the same.
No candidate, whether it be Trump, Clinton, Johnson, or anyone else, can turn things around.
Why? Because social issues, the economy, ISIS, immigration reform, racism, lack of respect for authority, nor anything else, is the problem.
The problem is that people have tossed God aside.
It’s gonna get worse before it gets better (if it gets better).
As a nation, we’ve placed our hope and trust in everything but God. We’ve trusted in our riches, our heritage, our freedoms, and have demanded our “God given rights”, though our hearts have wandered far from the God Who gave us those rights.
All those things we glued our fingers to are going to shake, rattle, and roll until we can no longer hang on to them.
We’ll have to grasp something much stronger, something unshakable, if we are to survive.
Maybe I’d better clarify something. I don’t necessarily mean the nation will or won’t survive. I’m just saying it’s not going to be pretty, AND there’s more to life than just being an American. Someday, each of us will stand before God, not as Americans, but as individuals who must give an account for our life.
Did we truly trust in Jesus?
God is not willing that anyone perish, but that all should come to eternal life. That’s what He’s after; our souls.
Unless we let loose of all the other things we’ve placed our hope and trust in, we cannot truly trust Him.
A shaking is on the way. We’ve pretty much demanded it. We’ve failed to heed His voice, so now His voice will shake the heavens and the earth.
How can we make it through?
By doing what we should have done in the first place. “Have grace…”
Grace which is measured out to each of us through God’s Word.
Grace which is God’s willingness to use His power and ability on our behalf; we who turn our eyes and heart to the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
What’s happening to our nation?
God.
Watch and see.
But above all, trust. Trust in God.
-
You say you don’t believe in God…
Although there are many people who’ve convinced themselves and others that God isn’t real, God knows the truth.
He knows He exists.
“For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar…” (Romans 3:3 – 3:4 NKJV)
There was a time in my life I would have sworn that either God never existed, or He was dead.
Yes, I knew so much.
But just because I had never met Him, didn’t mean He was nonexistent.
I know tons of people. You probably do as well.
If I was to tell you about my great friend Greg, how we enjoy fishing and playing music together, and you said to me, “I don’t believe in Greg”, I’d have to think you’re some kind of nut.
Well, shouldn’t I? Just because you don’t know my friend doesn’t mean he doesn’t exist. It doesn’t make me a liar, or a weak fool for believing in Greg.
What would be wrong with saying, “Greg sounds like a great guy. Maybe some day I can meet him”?
It’s really that simple with God.
Back when I didn’t believe in God, I met a guy who did. I kind of thought he was a bit on the kooky side, because I’d never met anyone who talked so freely about Jesus; like he really knew Him.
I didn’t believe automatically, but there was something about this guy I liked. So I listened.
And I began to sense my heart changing from “God can’t exist”, to “well, what if…?”.
Finally, about a year later, while riding a bus from Columbus, Ohio to Louisville, Kentucky (Fort Knox), I actually met the One I’d been told about.
No, the roof of the bus didn’t open, nor were there angels singing the hallelujah chorus (that I heard, anyway).
I just believed. The blinders of doubt melted away and I knew, I KNEW, a change had occurred.
I had passed from death unto life.
May I encourage you to give yourself a chance at new life?
Just because you haven’t met God, doesn’t mean you can’t.
My doubt and unbelief never kept Him away. The very moment I believed, He was there.
And He’s close to you, as well.
Our limited knowledge and perspective can never authenticate or invalidate the claims of God.
We cannot explain away God, or make Him something He isn’t.
He just IS.
God has never needed our affirmation, and He doesn’t worry about those who slander His Name.
He can handle His own reputation.
Because He IS.
“He who comes to a God must believe He IS, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Come as you are, with your frustrations, troubles, worries, and doubts. He’ll help you sort them all out.
Because He IS.
-
I pity the fool
To the people of this great land who believe you’ve made it as far in life as you have without God, you are to be pitied.
To the ones who say, “Leave me alone; I don’t need anyone telling me how wrong I am…”, you are to be pitied.
Jesus told the apostle John to write this to the Laodicean church: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked…’” (Revelation 3:17 NASB)
The word “miserable” means “to be pitied”. In other words, “You don’t know you are to be pitied, because you are lost in your own self effort, your own greatness, your own self sufficiency.”
Unfortunately, this describes too many of us in this land. And yes, too many within the church.
After all, why should we petition God about anything when we already have everything?
Why would we even consider joining with others in a city wide outreach, when our programs are already so effective?
And why should we give God access to our bank account? Hey, weren’t we the ones who earned the money with our own blood, sweat, and tears?
To those who have it all together, attend the perfect church, with the perfect pastor, the perfect music, and the best facilities in town…
You are to be pitied, if your trust isn’t in God.
Or, as Mr. T likes to say, “…pity the fool!”
It is foolish to think we’re wiser, stronger, and better informed than God Almighty.
It’s foolish to believe God doesn’t exist. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’…” (Psalm 14:1 NASB)
And it makes no since whatsoever to not believe in God, yet turn right around and order your life as though you ARE God.
Unfortunately, it’s not only atheists who play along with that kind of foolishness. Sometimes we in the church can act just as foolish.
I believe the Laodicean church is a type, a picture, of a last days church. Not the only one, as I believe the Philadelphian church is as well.
Two churches; one in love with Jesus, the other in love with themselves.
One content with God’s ability as revealed through His word, the other with their own ability as revealed in their words, “We have all we need.”
The Lord called those full of themselves “miserable”, “pitiable”.
Foolish.
The promise to the miserable is reproof and discipline; to try and break the heart full of pride.
Pity isn’t the same as mercy. The Lord is merciful to those who seek Him, but He casts aside the proud.
The Lord helps those who call upon Him, but He pushes away those who’ve kept Him at a distance.
It’s time to lay aside our self sufficiency and look to the Lord.
He really is all we need.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7 ESV)
-
Step into the Supernatural
Most people would agree there is a “natural realm”, and a “supernatural realm”.
I do. Do you?
Hollywood does.
So does God.
And although He dwells within the supernatural realm, He can easily affect the natural realm without any difficulty (and He wants to!); He simply wants and needs cooperation on our part.
I’m not referring to some kind of weird hocus-pocus, magical words and incantations, or sleight of hand tricks.
I’m talking about God Almighty suspending the laws of nature in order to perform what we’d call a miracle.
The supernatural world is just as real as this natural one we live in. It has certain laws which govern the activities within, much like the physical laws we contend with every day.
It may sound a little odd, but living as a Christian requires we understand how to live in both realms.
As the law of gravity must be understood and respected to avoid a terrible accident, so the supernatural laws of faith, sowing and reaping, and confession should be embraced if we’re to witness “all things possible with God.”
Without the knowledge of stepping into the supernatural, the Kingdom of God will not penetrate the world’s natural kingdom.
Without understanding how faith and other supernatural laws can change our world, we are destined to live our whole life never seeing “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.”
For example, Joshua would have had to wait for the Jordan River to dry up before continuing the work of the Kingdom had he not listened to and obeyed God.
The law of faith, believing God’s word in spite of physical “evidence”, supersedes any natural law, as seen in this passage:
“…and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. (Joshua 3:15,16 ESV)
They believed, stepped into the water, and by doing so entered into the supernatural.
Mary did so, as well. The Angel came and told her all the great and wonderful things the Lord was about to do. Of course, she had one big question.
“How?”
How will this supernatural event happen?
Something never heard of before or since?
“And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’” (Luke 1:35 – 37 ESV)
Notice the angel told her how, but it was her response that brought the supernatural into her life.
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38 ESV)
Isaac stepped into the supernatural when he acted upon God’s word, implementing the law of sowing and reaping. (You reap whatever you sow)
“Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. And the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you…’” (Genesis 26:1 – 26:3 ESV)
Isaac obeyed, and in spite of the famine, sowed his seed, believing God.
“And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him…” (Genesis 26:12 ESV)
The supernatural Kingdom of God breaks into our world when we believe what He says and act accordingly.
Peter heard one word from Jesus, “Come”, and it was enough to walk on water. By the way, people do not normally walk on water.
The salvation of man, spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc, is a supernatural act. The supernatural God reveals His will for each person through His powerful Word.
Receiving His word, and declaring what He says with a heart of faith, is how we step into the supernatural.
It’s also how we combat demonic forces, which are also supernatural.
“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
We believe, call with a heart of faith, and salvation bursts on the scene.
It’s really a simple thing, stepping into the supernatural.
Because God took the necessary steps toward us, through His Son Jesus.
And now, all things are possible to those who believe.
Who believe enough to dip their toe in first, and then watch all Heaven break loose.
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
Jan Grace 