What’s Waiting on the Other Side?

It’s interesting how faith operates. Often, GOD will leave a door slightly ajar encouraging you to trust Him as you push it open and step through. Certainly, you have no idea what might be waiting on the other side, but you know in your heart of hearts that GOD is leading you through.

By faith, you push through to discover something you never could have imagined; maybe a victory over something you’ve been struggling with awaits you, maybe GOD has a new path which opens up into an even greater walk and fellowship with Him, maybe it’s the answer you’ve been looking for to a problem that has had you overwhelmed? The possibilities on the other side are innumerable; but, you will never discover what they are without stepping through by faith.

The Scripture tells us that: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8 HCSB). Had he stayed put, he would’ve never experienced the awesome adventure GOD had in store for him.

Think about it a moment. Abraham was a part of a wealthy family. He had no reason whatsoever to go out looking for another fortune as he already had it all. But, his fortune wasn’t satisfying his soul. He desired so much more. Inside, he was crying for an adventure with eternal value.

He heard the voice of a GOD He did not even personally know; but, by faith, he obeyed and set out—not even knowing where he was headed to. Have you ever heard the voice of the LORD telling you to step out of your everyday world and you obeyed and found yourself becoming involved in the grand scheme of GOD for your world? Have you ever just responded in obedience to the voice of GOD and discovered that GOD had so much more out there for you than you could’ve ever imagined?

The Scripture tells us that Abraham “was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (v. 10). He refused to be content with what life was throwing at him. He knew there was something so much grander out there, if he would only step through that door GOD had left ajar. He was seeking after something that would meet the internal longing he had for eternity.

What’s waiting on the other side for you today? You have heard GOD calling you to step out of your comfort zone; you have heard Him beckoning you to push through and discover that you were made for something far beyond what this world could ever even begin to offer. The longing in you is for something eternal and its real!

Your eternal longing begins to be fulfilled as you reach out and impact the lives of others. When you step out of the comfort of the boat into the raging seas, you begin to experience the awesomeness of a GOD who desires to take you higher and further than you ever imagined—eventually leading you right through that heavenly door into the heavenly realms with Him.

Are you ready to step through? The door is ajar—push it open and discover the great things GOD has in store for you today!

Rising Up Out of the Ashes to Greatness!

Have you ever stood and boldly declared your allegiance to GOD and His mission for your life only to fall flat on your face when the opportunity came? We’ve all done it at one time or another. It’s easy to stand before believers and make such a declaration but when it comes to doing it before the world; we discover quickly, it isn’t quite so easy. Facing the ridicule or laughter of the world is just not something we enjoy doing, but it is a necessary part of our Christian walk.

Consider Peter’s situation for a moment. Jesus had His disciples gathered around Himself on that final night telling them things were about to change drastically for all of them as His crucifixion neared. He turned to Peter and offered up a word of warning of what he was about to encounter.

Jesus looked him in the eye and said: “Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32 HCSB). Note that Satan had to ask permission from GOD to gain access to Peter in order to tempt and test him.

Why did GOD allow it? Why did GOD give him the go-ahead? Why does GOD allow Satan to mess with you? To tempt you? To test you? To make your life difficult at times?

The answer is simple, yet quite complex—that you might be strengthened! Notice Jesus tells Peter, I have prayed for you; I have interceded on your behalf to the Father that your faith remains strong, and when you have failed, that you will rise up to greater heights than you ever imagined.

Jesus knew Peter would succumb to the temptation, but Jesus prayed that after he did, he would rise from the ashes into a greater man of faith than ever before. When you and I fall to temptation, which we will do, remember Jesus is standing in the gap for us in our behalf before the Father; praying that we may rise up stronger and better equipped than ever before.

Peter, in his humanness, responded to Jesus: “Lord, I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!” (v. 33). But Jesus looked at him and said: “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know Me!” (v. 34). Peter, you are going to deny you even know me, not just one time but three times.

How often do we deny we know Jesus? How often do we fail to speak up on His behalf when we should? That is denial of Him! How often do we engage ourselves in worldly actions and say worldly things? That is denial of Him and of our own personal relationship with Him! I’m afraid we deny Him a great deal more than we even realize by our own refusal to speak up and speak out on what is right, true and Godly!

Certainly, over the next day, Peter’s life was drug deep into the ash pile. He fervently denied he even knew Jesus at that most critical hour. The Scripture tells us that immediately after his third denial the rooster crowed, “and he went outside and wept bitterly” (v. 62). I am certain that event haunted Peter more than anything else ever in his life over the next several days.

Jesus could’ve just written him off as unworthy to continue serving Him—but He didn’t. John tells us that following His resurrection, Jesus moved in close to Peter and not once but three times asked him: “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” (John 21:16). Peter responded: “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You” (v. 17). Jesus responded: “Feed My sheep!” (v. 17).

Jesus not only restored Peter into fellowship with Himself, but Peter went from being a learner to being a leader. Jesus lifted him from the ashes into greatness for the sake of the kingdom of GOD!

In your failure, Jesus doesn’t forget you and consider you unworthy to ever carry out His work again. Jesus desires to restore and in His restoration, He will move you to a higher plain because of the strength in your faith that has been accomplished through your moment of failure.

Certainly, I am in no wise encouraging failure to reach higher but should there be a moment of failure, step out of it into the Light of Jesus Christ, learn from that moment and utilize the process Jesus has brought you through to strengthen and build up others. “Be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power!” (Ephesians 6:10 NLT).

Scripture Reading: “Lord, I seek refuge in You; never let me be disgraced. In Your justice, rescue and deliver me; listen closely to me and save me. Be a rock of refuge for me, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and fortress. Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and oppressive. For You are my hope, Lord God , my confidence from my youth. I have leaned on You from birth; You took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always about You. I have become an ominous sign to many, but You are my strong refuge. My mouth is full of praise and honor to You all day long. Don’t discard me in my old age: as my strength fails, do not abandon me. For my enemies talk about me, and those who spy on me plot together, saying, ‘God has abandoned him; chase him and catch him, for there is no one to rescue him.’ God, do not be far from me; my God, hurry to help me. May my adversaries be disgraced and confounded; may those who seek my harm be covered with disgrace and humiliation. But I will hope continually and will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell about Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot sum them up. I come because of the mighty acts of the Lord God; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone. God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim Your wonderful works. Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to another generation, Your strength to all who are to come. Your righteousness reaches heaven, God, You who have done great things; God, who is like You? You caused me to experience many troubles and misfortunes, but You will revive me again. You will bring me up again, even from the depths of the earth. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Therefore, with a lute I will praise You for Your faithfulness, my God; I will sing to You with a harp, Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You, because You have redeemed me. Therefore, my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness all day long, for those who seek my harm will be disgraced and confounded” (Psalm 71 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, I know I often fail You. I realize through some of my actions, I stand in denial that You are truly the King and Lord of my life. Please forgive me for such actions. Please help me to stand tall and upright for You and for those things which impact Your heart, O my GOD! I thank You for restoring me back to You in times past. Thank You for raising me up out of the ashes of denial to places of greatness in and through You. I love You and praise You for all You do for me, in me and through me!…in Jesus’ name, I pray…AMEN!

WHY, GOD…WHY, ME?

Have you found yourself struggling with issues in your life? Maybe it is a physical problem or affliction that you wish GOD would heal? Maybe a problem with a temptation that never seems to leave you? We all have our struggles and problems that we are forced to deal with. But, it is important to realize that in and through these struggles, GOD hasn’t left you without His help and hope.

I know there are those out there that tell you that a true child of GOD should not experience problems and difficulties. They are quick to tell you that you must have some spiritual issue going on in your life that needs to be taken care of. However, such advice stands in stark contrast to Scripture.

Take Paul for example. Here we have an awesome man of GOD, but by his own admission, he struggled and suffered a great deal every day under what he referred to as a “thorn in the flesh…a messenger of Satan.” This is how he explained it to the Corinthian church: “Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself” (1 Corinthians 12:7 HCSB).

Why would GOD allow a servant like Paul to be under the constant bondage of this particular issue? Maybe Paul’s ministry could have been even greater without this problem in his life? What was the meaning of all this? Why do you struggle with personal problems and issues? Why are you suffering with an incurable disease that you wish GOD would heal? A great big, WHY, GOD? WHY, ME?

Paul said: “I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me” (V. 8). Paul begged and pleaded with GOD to remove the problem from his life; GOD’s responded by saying: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (v. 9).

I doubt that was the response Paul expected from GOD. He had seen GOD heal people, deliver people, work great miracles in the lives of people and I would imagine he expected the same in his own. But, GOD had a different plan. GOD had no intention of delivering him from the issue; instead, He told Paul to trust in His grace and be prepared to see the power of GOD brought to perfection through his own weakness.

I don’t know why GOD allows struggles to enter our lives; why we have to live with problems and issues that GOD could heal instantly, if He wanted to. But, I do know that GOD is sovereign; that GOD is GOD, and it is not my duty to assume anything from Him as my Creator, simply to place my trust in His wisdom and understanding.

I don’t know why you are going through things right now. But, GOD knows! His grace is sufficient to carry you through to whatever purpose He has for you. You don’t know what GOD is going to do through your issue or problem; how GOD will use it to impact others. But, GOD has a plan and through your weakness and your willingness, His power can be set free to operate and make an impact in your world.

Paul had to make a choice. He had to choose to either become a servant to his weakness or to remain a servant unto GOD. He could’ve had the attitude that said: “Well, if GOD isn’t going to take this away, I’m just going to sit back and allow this issue to dictate my life—and do nothing!” or, he could step up to the plate, as he did, and respond in this way: “Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (vv.9-10).

So many people have sat back in sorrow and discouragement because of problems in their lives. GOD wants to use those problems to display His greatness—to release His power in order to break through to greatness in the world He has you in. Get up off that couch! Stand up in His power and might and see the exciting works GOD desires to do through you in the midst of your problems, difficulties and struggles. Give GOD the glory today!

Scripture Reading: “May the Lord answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob’s God protect you. May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion. May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt offering. May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose. Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the Lord fulfill all your requests. Now I know that the Lord gives victory to His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with mighty victories from His right hand. Some take pride in a chariot, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! May He answer us on the day that we call” (Psalm 20 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I have no idea why I have to suffer through these struggles, problems and issues in my life. I live my life as best I can for You. I keep my trust in You. I try to give my all to You and yet I continue to be haunted by these daily messengers of evil that come against me. Father, I don’t know why, but You do. I pray that in and through whatever it is I might be forced to go through that I will always maintain my trust and confidence in You and in Your wisdom and plans for me. Help me to remain strong, LORD, and to not allow myself to be overwhelmed by the problem but to maintain my strength through You always! I love you, LORD!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

I Pledge Allegiance to…?

“If it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship…. As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 HCSB).

As Americans, we have been programmed to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I would surmise that few give the words being recited much thought as the pledge has become an object of rote memory. I have problems with the entire concept of what we are pledging our allegiance to.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the pledge of allegiance; I love America; I am proud to be an American; but the idea of pledging my allegiance over to any nation stands in stark contrast to my obligation as a child of GOD and my personal allegiance to His Kingdom.

In passing by many churches, we see that they too, have relegated their allegiance over to a nation rather than unto GOD. In their attempt to follow proper military protocol, they place the Christian flag under the America flag reflecting their order of allegiance. I don’t know how others may feel about this, but it bothers me greatly.

Should the pledges be recited in most churches, again according to military protocol, the pledge to the American flag comes first indicating once again the most important allegiance. Without even giving it much consideration, the church has bought into the idea that allegiance to our nation stands above our allegiance to GOD as revealed by their actions.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence recently declared that he is a Christian first and foremost in his life, above any other allegiances. As Christians, we must adopt the principle that GOD is first and foremost in our lives, our churches, our homes, and our families. To pledge allegiance to any other ahead of GOD reveals a deep-rooted problem that must be repented for and turned away from.

I have no problem with the American flag be present everywhere we go; but, the Christian banner must gain priority over it for all believers regardless of what military protocol or even our society may deem as correct. We were called to stand out and stand up for the Kingdom of GOD but we can never do so if we continue to allow the infiltration of worldly ways and thoughts into our lives and midst.

Hang On to the End of that Rope!

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were desperately crying out to GOD, “Why me? Why has this terrible tragedy fallen on me?” Maybe, you are in just such a situation right now. All your hopes and dreams lie shattered all about. Everything you had ever accumulated was now gone. In desperation, you find yourself crying out: “Is it even worth it to continue on?”

Most people find themselves at the end of their rope at least a time or two as they make their way through life. You work hard; you struggle to acquire things; you grab and you grab only to find one day it’s all gone or it’s simply lost its value.

At the end of every rope in life, GOD will tie a knot of assurance and security, if we will but learn to grab it, hang on and trust Him. Consider Job for a moment. The Bible refers to him in this way: “He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil…. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east” (Job 1:1,3 HCSB). Job had it all. GOD had blessed him in tremendous ways! As his life was moving along, he could never have imagined that the end of his rope was rapidly approaching.

The Scripture goes on to tell of the discourse between Satan and GOD concerning Job’s overwhelming faithfulness to GOD. Satan desired an opportunity to attack Job in order to show GOD his true faithfulness was very shallow. GOD gave Satan the opportunity to strike and destroy everything Job owned, including his family. The Bible says that even when he had nothing left, “Job did not sin or blame God for anything” (v. 22).

It is difficult for us to comprehend such destruction upon an individual and yet they remain completely faithful in their trust of GOD. At the end of his rope, Job had a decision to make, “Curse GOD and die!” (Job 2:9) as his wife recommended, or hold fast and remain faithful to GOD. The Scripture tells us: “Throughout all this Job did not sin” (v. 10). He continued holding on to his faith and trust in GOD, even in the midst of total destruction.

Maybe life is spiraling out of control for you? Everything seems to be headed south? You try and try to make things work out only to discover defeat around every corner? Discouragement has overwhelmed you? Your world is turning inside out and upside down?

To make matters even worse for Job, some of his friends came along and spent the next several days analyzing his situation for him. They commenced to offer words of advice to try to make his situation better—which served only to create an even more difficulty for Job. It seems when things can’t get any worse, you always have those people who have the answer for your problems! Their advice, though given with good intentions, tends to compound the difficulty of an already overwhelming situation.

In deep desperation, having lost everything, hanging on as best he could to the end of his life’s rope, Job never lost his faith in GOD. The Scripture tells us he responded to his friends: “I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. I will see Him myself; my eyes will look at Him, and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me” (Job 29:25-27).

Regardless of the depth of your situation, be assured your Redeemer, your Savior and your closest Friend will remain faithful and true to you. The trials and the times of intense testing will soon break out into unexpected wonder and amazement as GOD steps in and rewards your faithfulness. The Scripture goes on to tell us: “the Lord restored his prosperity and doubled his previous possessions” (Job 42:10).

Not only did GOD restore all the possessions Job had previously lost; GOD also turned around and increased his possessions in great abundance. The end of the rope became a brand new beginning for Job. The end of your rope can be the same for you. Tie a knot, hang on, remain faithful and get ready for what GOD has in store for you.

The kingdom of GOD awaits all who, by faith, trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Have you committed your life to Him today? If not, trust in Him today and hang on to Him through all the ups and downs of this life, always looking forward to the awesome world yet to come!

Scripture Reading: “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering stone fence? They only plan to bring him down from his high position. They take pleasure in lying; they bless with their mouths, but they curse inwardly. Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God; my strong rock, my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah Men are only a vapor; exalted men, an illusion. On a balance scale, they go up; together they weigh less than a vapor. Place no trust in oppression, or false hope in robbery. If wealth increases, pay no attention to it. God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: strength belongs to God, and faithful love belongs to You, Lord. For You repay each according to his works” (Psalm 62 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, help me to trust in You regardless of my situation. When my world seems to be collapsing around me, I pray You strengthen me as You walk through it with me. I pray it becomes a moment in time whereby I become stronger in my faith and more intimate in my relationship with You. I thank You for the dark moments that I must trod through because I know there is something more You are teaching me in order that I may become everything You have designed me to be. When I step into the light and the situation’s work has been done, I will stand even taller in You, O LORD!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

On Mission for GOD! — A Challenge to the Church in a Most Desperate Hour!

The perilous times we are living in demand that we, as the Church, rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit and take a stand for the righteousness of our GOD across our city, our region and in our surrounding area communities. We have called to stand strong in defense of our unborn and for those who are unable to protect themselves from the evil being perpetrated upon humanity around about ourselves.

Please understand, when I speak of the church, I am not speaking of a single group of individuals meeting in a certain location. I am speaking of the Church of the Redeemed—the blood-bought Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to which all born-again believers belong!

In Psalm 2:1-3, the Psalmist poses this thought of which we need to ponder in our hearts today: “Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and His Anointed One, saying: ‘Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints’” (HCSB).

The whole earth is in rebellion against Almighty GOD. The kings, presidents, dictators and leaders stand in defiance against Him. We, as the Church, have a responsibility to take charge of the situation, to demand justice and righteousness across our region.

Taking our city for GOD will not be easy feat; in fact, in our own power, it is impossible. But moving on in Psalm 2 verse 8, we discover how the impossible becomes possible as the Lord declares: “Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.” (HCSB).

GOD is calling for His Church to bind together and to rise up in unity in His name and power and to declare this generation for the Kingdom of GOD. Isaiah wrote these words in Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (HCSB).

It is such a marvelous sight and a peaceful feeling in the midst of the world’s chaos to hear one declare a word of righteousness and peace. That is the message the LORD has given to us, as the Church, to declare!

The late Martin Luther King, Jr. had a mission in his heart–a mission of equality and justice for all. He was not afraid to stand and to proclaim his dream across the cities and in the churches and in the streets; and after much suffering and pain, persecution and rebellion, he drove that mission home and his dream became a reality across this great nation.

That is the same fortitude we, as a part of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, must exhibit today for the sake of our cities and for the life of our nation.

In Romans 10:13: Paul declared: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (HCSB). Our world is desperate for Jesus today! We are standing on the threshold of destruction and the only hope for people, for our nation, and for our world is Jesus Christ!

In response to that thought, Paul then posed the following questions for our deeper consideration in Romans 15:14-15: “But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (HCSB).

There is a cry being heard from people far and wide—from around the world, in our cities and in our communities—for justice, for righteousness, for something different, for something better, for something virtuous with a strong foundation on which to stand upon in this lopsided, ungodly world we are living in.

Paul then referred back to the words of the Prophet Isaiah and declared: “How welcome are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!” (Romans 10:15 HCSB).

How beautiful, how welcome, how necessary, how vital it is today for believers in Jesus Christ to bind together in strength and harmony declaring righteousness across their cities, their regions, their nation and this world! As we ask of Him, we will find the power, the strength, the words and the Spirit-anointing to rise up in victory!

Washington leaves us little, if any, hope, for peace, security and righteousness. Our hope, today, must be placed in our Lord Jesus Christ and as His Church, we have a responsibility to rise up and proclaim the Good News that brings eternal salvation to all humanity! The Church must get on mission for GOD today!

Scripture Reading: “Give the Lord-you heavenly beings- give the Lord glory and strength. Give the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. The voice of the Lord is above the waters. The God of glory thunders- the Lord, above vast waters, the voice of the Lord in power, the voice of the Lord in splendor. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion, like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord flashes flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the woodlands bare. In His temple all cry, ‘Glory!’ The Lord sat enthroned at the flood; the Lord sits enthroned, King forever. The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:1-11 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father GOD, I ask You to cleanse my heart and life of anything that is unpleasing to You! The task that lies before me, and the Church, is so great and I feel so powerless. I need a fresh anointing of Your Holy Spirit today that will enable me to rise-up with boldness and to declare the truths of Your Word—words of righteousness, holiness and peace! Help me, LORD, to stand in the gap on behalf of my church and “The Church.” LORD, I declare my city, my state and my nation for the Kingdom of GOD. I promise to do everything in my power to promote You at all times both in word and deed. Father, I love You and give You all glory today…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

What Will You Do With Jesus?

Life is filled with decisions. Many of the decisions we make throughout the day are carried out without much thought given—what road we will travel; what clothes we will wear; where we will eat our next meal—although we may give each a bit of consideration rarely is there much.

Then, there are the times we are confronted by more important decisions that require a great deal more consideration—purchasing a car or a home; having another child—things like these involve more thought and consideration.

There is, however, the ultimate decision every individual is forced to make at one time or another in their life. With Jesus standing before him, Pilate turned to the crowd and he asked them that single most important question that each of us must deal personally with at one time or another in this life: “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Messiah?” (Matthew 27:22 HCSB).

That one question bears down on the heart of every human at some point and the response each makes determines where they will spend their eternity. No other decision we are confronted with in life carries the massive weight that this one does. You must live with the consequences of your personal response forever and ever!

After a short time, Pilate carried out the decision of the people and had Jesus crucified between two thieves. With but a few short breaths left, only moments left in each of their lives, hanging between life and death with the only means of eternal salvation staring each in the face, each had to make a decision what they would do with this One called Jesus.

Eternity for each was hanging in the balance. One, looked at Jesus, mocked and cursed Him and soon slipped forever into an eternity of hell by his own choosing. His heart remained hard and unchanged and he will forever remember that moment when salvation came knocking on his life’s door and rejected it.

The other thief, understanding his situation and realizing his punishment was justified, looked to the middle cross and saw a Savior. As he turned toward Jesus, he saw life. In the eyes of the Messiah, he saw hope in the midst of his hopelessness. “He said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!’” (Luke 23:39-42 HCSB).

Each of us has that moment in time when GOD’s Spirit pricks our heart as He confronts us with the desperation and hopelessness of our personal eternal situation. He asks each of us: What will you do with Jesus? Will you think about and get back to Him some other time? Will you put it off until you’ve enjoyed everything you think this world has to offer and then find Jesus at the very end?

You are not promised another moment in time. You have no guarantee that you will live to see tomorrow. But, you do have the promise of an eternity that will never end. The response you give to the question: What will you do with Jesus?—determines your eternal destiny.

One thief died with the Savior but an arm’s reach away but his heart distanced by the hardness of the life he had chosen to live. He rejected his only hope and that man will painfully regret the decision he made on that day.

The other thief saw hope and in the desperation of his moment—desiring peace in his heart—in the midst of all the chaos—he turned to Jesus! To this man, Jesus responded: “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 HCSB). Today and for all eternity, that thief, who became a son of the living GOD, will rejoice in the presence of the One who gave him hope when he was immersed in hopelessness.

What will you do with Jesus today? Don’t put off to another day. You never know when life will abruptly end and you will be staring eternity in the face. Choose Jesus as your Savior!

Scripture Reading: “The Lord judges the peoples; vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity. Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. The One who examines the thoughts and emotions is a righteous God. My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who executes justice every day. If anyone does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has strung His bow and made it ready” (Psalm 7:8-12 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father GOD, I need Jesus! My life is in disarray; my choices condemn me; I find myself living in eternal hopelessness; yet, I feel Your Spirit speaking to my heart, calling me out of the wickedness and into Your glorious Light. Please forgive me for my sins and failures. Cleanse my wicked heart and give me a new heart and a new life filled with You. I surrender completely to You today, O GOD! Thank You for Jesus; thank You for saving me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

No Way Out?

Have you ever found yourself backed against a wall with no way out? The enemy is attacking from all sides—you have been beaten and battered—the fear of the next onslaught is ever-present in your mind—you find yourself ready to just give up on everything?

As fear constantly grips your heart and mind, surrender appears to be your only way out of the stress and pressure the situation has created in your life. Surrender is never an out for a child of GOD! Surrender is not even an option when the enemy attacks and fear begins to grip your heart.

Jonathan, the son of King Saul, found himself in a situation with no way out. His father had just committed a sin against GOD and GOD had removed the throne from his family. Jonathan confronted an enemy army that was huge and well-armed. They had been a destructive menace to the Israelites for a long time. Now, it appeared that they would destroy Israel.

But, Jonathan understood that surrender was not an option. He took his armor-bearer and advanced toward the enemy camp. As they were going, he declared: “Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6 HCSB). His armor-bearer, having seen GOD work miracles in time’s past, responded: “Do what is in your heart. You choose. I’m right here with you whatever you decide” (v. 7).

Greatly outnumbered, Jonathan moved ahead, trusting GOD for the outcome. In the face of fear, Jonathan looked to GOD. Undaunted by the overwhelming odds that stood against him, Jonathan continued advancing forward. The enemy taunted him: “Come on up, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” (v. 12). At which Jonathan turned to his armor-bearer and proclaimed: “the Lord has handed them over to Israel” (v. 12).

By faith, Jonathan saw victory! By faith, he moved out when there appeared to be no way out. The Scripture tells us that after several successive victories in Jonathan’s favor that: “Terror spread through the Philistine camp and the open fields to all the troops. Even the garrison and the raiding parties were terrified. The earth shook, and terror from God spread” (v. 15). “The Lord saved Israel that day” (v. 23).

Has the enemy overwhelmed you with fear? Your life seems to be hanging in the balance with defeat inevitable? It’s time to let go and let GOD take control. It’s time to hand it over to Him and stand back and allow Him to place the victory in your hands. GOD is not a GOD of defeat—He is a GOD of victory!

Today, stare down those problems that have been mounting against you. By faith, declare the LORD has already handed the victory over to you. Health issues? Financial issues? Marriage problems? Family problems? Job problems? It doesn’t matter how big the problem might appear to you—look to your GOD who is bigger than all the problems you could ever have.

Turn to GOD, trust Him today, hand your fear and difficulties over to Him today and rest in His assurance of your absolute victory!

Scripture Reading: “My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises with the whole of my being. Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches the clouds. God, be exalted above the heavens; let Your glory be over the whole earth. Save with Your right hand and answer me so that those You love may be rescued. God has spoken in His sanctuary: “I will triumph! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim is My helmet; Judah is My scepter. Moab is My washbasin; on Edom I throw My sandal. Over Philistia I shout in triumph.” Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have You not rejected us, God? God, You do not march out with our armies. Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we will perform valiantly; He will trample our foes” (Psalm 108 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, as I step out today, help me to recognize that the fears that held me back yesterday have been destroyed. Where there appears to be no way out, Father, you have made a way out for me. Where the enemy seems to have me pinned down, You have set me free. I claim Your promises of victory today. I declare Your victory over every fear, every mountain, everything the enemy has placed in my path. Today, I rest peacefully sheltered in Your arms of protection. I love You and give You all my praise…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Mighty in the Sight of GOD

Have you ever found yourself confronted by a situation that scared the daylights out of you? In fact, the fear became so overwhelming, you found yourself running away from it? I suppose at one time or another, we all find ourselves in just such a situation. And, to make matters worse, we begin to imagine the situation to be much greater than it really is.

What do you do in such a situation? You can only hide from it for so long. Eventually, you must man-up and confront it or spend the rest of your life with it chasing after you—constantly wearing on every fiber of your body—wearing you out physically, emotionally and spiritually. If left to do so, it will eventually destroy you.

Consider the man, Gideon, for a moment. “The Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior’” (Judges 6:12 HCSB). The difficulty in this pronouncement was that Gideon was actually in hiding, fearing for his life from the enemy invaders. But, GOD saw something more in this man. GOD did not view him in the same light as those around him. In the midst of his personal feelings of fear, GOD saw the heart of a mighty warrior.

Gideon responded to the LORD’s call with these words: “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house” (v. 15). His fear directed him to begin spouting out all the reasons why he was incapable of carrying out the work the LORD was calling him to do—all based upon worldly perceptions.

Isn’t it awesome to know that GOD doesn’t look at you the same way the world does? Isn’t it wonderful to know that GOD’s perception of you isn’t based upon the standards of the world but upon what He is capable of doing in and through you if you simply trust and obey Him. It is also exciting to see the hand of the LORD doing great wonders in and through you as you learn to simply submit to His will.

Gideon learned quickly that being a mighty warrior was not something that was based upon his own abilities. His trust and confidence had to be placed in the only One capable of bringing him through to victory—GOD Almighty! As GOD prepared to send him into battle, Gideon gathered together an army of 22,000 fighting men. GOD had a different number in mind. Trusting GOD means trusting Him completely for the victory. The Scripture tells us: “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and hand the Midianites over to you. But everyone else is to go home’” (Judges 7:7 HCSB).

To the world, victory is achieved by amassing great numbers; to GOD, victory is achieved by simply trusting and obeying Him. Fear is perhaps one of the greatest enemies humans confront. It is often deceptive, usually appears greater than it truly is and has the greatest impact upon our lives, if we allow it to. Securing your victory in the face of your enemy of fear begins by trusting in GOD.

Over his lifespan, Gideon was used by GOD to secure victory for the Israelites. He trusted in GOD’s ability and always came out with an overwhelming victory. Today, whatever may be challenging you, trust GOD for the victory!

Scripture Reading: “May the Lord answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob’s God protect you. May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion. May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt offering. May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose. Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the Lord fulfill all your requests. Now I know that the Lord gives victory to His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with mighty victories from His right hand. Some take pride in a chariot, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! May He answer us on the day that we call” (Psalm 20 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, help me to learn to always trust in You. When the enemy comes against me, help me to turn to You, to listen to You and to obey Your instructions. Father, when the enemy of fear begins to overwhelm me, help me to look that fear in the eye and in the name of Jesus to pronounce it gone. Father, I want to be a great warrior for You and for Your kingdom. I want to tear down idols and false doctrines and evil spirits by the power of Your name and the truth of Your Word. Help me to carry this out…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!