It is finished. Perhaps many of us read or at least heard these words of Christ as He hung upon the Cross at Calvary during Resurrection week services. When He had spoken those words, He gave up His life. He had spoken to the Father in the prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane that He had “accomplished the work” which had been assigned to Him.
Yet, after dying, He arose and ascended into Heaven where He ever lives to make intercession for us, He will return again, He will turn all things over to the Father at some point in the future, all according to Scripture. So, not everything was finished - just that portion of His assignment. The Book of Revelation says there will come a time that “the mystery of God is finished” and a time when “the wrath of God is finished”. Meaning all that there is to have revealed of God will have been revealed. The Apostle Paul said in Romans to “behold the goodness and severity” of our God.
Jesus, before ascending into Heaven told His followers to “go and make disciples of all Nations”, literally, teaching them the disciplines of Righteousness before our God. Likewise, Paul said his assignment was to “reveal the mysteries of God”. He also told Timothy that he had “fought the good fight of faith and finished the course”.
The issue for us becomes, will I / we finish our course? Will we live in such manner as to display, impart and instruct on the disciplines of Godly living? Will I / we allow the renewing of our minds and thus the transformation of our lives spoken of in Romans chapter twelve? Will I / we put on the new man which is renewed in Righteousness? How about laying aside the works of the flesh? Will I / we receive of His peace and live accordingly? Can I / we see that even Creation itself is groaning as it awaits the maturity of us as Sons of God? I'm remembering about three years ago, I was part of team praying along the Mississippi River from Venice, LA to it's origin in Minnesota. Having been on the road for nine days, we arrived at Lake Itasca in Minnesota, very tired, but elated to be there, and looking forward to heading home the next day. . We realized through locals that a stream runs into that lake from Canada, and it happened to have water when we were there. We sensed the Lord saying we needed to follow that stream to the northern border of Minnesota. Because of time of day and other logistics, it was going to add another full day to our trip. We went for it and that last evening at a service only a stones throw from the Canadian border the Lord spoke through a brother from that area (found out later that he did not know we had not originally planned on coming all the way to the border) that God was pleased that the team had "finished the course". In that Spirit inspired Word, we heard and sensed the Lord's disappointment at the many who had started an assignment from Him, but didn't fully complete it. We were impressed that He always finishes what He begins, and that many loose ends remain on earth because so often man in his own humanity decides when the assignment is finished in lieu of getting the release of the Lord on when it is finished. It was a defining moment in the lives of most of the team. We made the trip home the next day, even with the added 150 miles and arrived home very late, physically tired, but so refreshed and energized in our inner man that many of us on the team did a full days work the very next day. Obedience to the Lord and accomplishing His assignment always makes way for an impartation of His life into ours.
Jesus said to seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and to pray for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as in Heaven. Will we, the body of Christ finish the task in our generation of revealing the knowledge of His Glory until it covers the earth like the waters cover the sea? Will we be a part of the generation that becomes glorious, without spot or wrinkle? If not, why not? What is stopping us besides our unbelief or lack of discipline to adhere to His Word? He has made us able to finish the task assigned, individually and as a body of believers.
Decide today to arise from any slumber and show forth His Glory. Be salt and light wherever you are. Minister / release His Life to those who cross your path through the direction and power of Holy Spirit who lives in you. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and in all your ways, acknowledge Him, so that each of us can say of our assignment “it is finished”.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
A Critical Hour
Paul writes in Romans 13 concerning submission to governing authorities put in place to be ministers of God to us for good. He speaks encouragement concerning obeying the law. Paul wrote in 2nd Timothy 3:1 “But understand this, that in the last days will come perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]”. Christ Himself addressed lawlessness and deception abounding in the latter days.
The events happening in this world and our own Nation need to be addressed by righteous men and women who are able to judge them and put them in proper perspective according to the Word of God. I believe Romans 13:11, 12 (Amplified Bible) are worth looking at. “Besides this you know what [ a critical ] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed in and relied on Christ. The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the (full) armor of light”,
In short, wake up and see what is happening around you in our Nation and across the world. If you think it doesn’t concern you, you have fallen into deception and it is time to arise in the Light of Christ. When Government leaders openly defy the law - i.e. legislators fleeing their elected positions and functions, community leaders lying about why they are not at work, and others refusing to obey reasonable police instructions concerning assembling, we are in perilous times. When a leader can decide on his own that duly enacted laws, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, can be declared unconstitutional, and our Government can ignore Court orders - even Contempt of Court, we are in perilous times. When members of Legislatures are duly elected by a fair margin of voters and are then railed against for doing what they campaigned to do, we are in perilous times. Should I go on, or are you seeing it?
If we, the Church, do not stand up against these ungodly and unlawful actions, who will? What is the outcome if lawlessness wins out? Do you think we will escape the rage waiting to unleash itself against anything that is of God? Are you joining together with others of like precious faith and contending for righteousness in prayer? Are you maintaining a confession of faith that allows the provision and protection of God to be manifest in your life? The earth itself is groaning and waiting for the manifestation of mature children of God. Let us be living stones and let our voices be heard in the heavens, both in worship and in prayers of intercession. Let us arise in our spheres of influence - no matter how small or large - and speak out for what is right in the sight of God. Let us not lose courage in doing good. We will see the greatness of our God if we faint not.
We must see that God is our true source and has promised to bless what we put our hands to. Government is not, nor can it ever be, a true source for our lives as it has nothing of its own. It only has what it can take from others. God, however, is the creator of all things and all life finds its source in Him. So, as we respond to His commands, doing what He has placed in front of us and we respond accordingly, by seeking Him and His righteousness first, all the things we have need of are added unto us according to Matthew 6:33. I’m praying for His Kingdom to more fully manifest and His will to be increasingly done on earth as it is in Heaven - how about you? According to Isaiah 9, the real government of mankind is on His shoulders, and of the increase of His government and of His peace there shall be no end. Come Lord Jesus, reveal Yourself increasingly in our lives and heal our land. We need You. We need Your presence manifested now. We stand in You and for You. Amen.
The events happening in this world and our own Nation need to be addressed by righteous men and women who are able to judge them and put them in proper perspective according to the Word of God. I believe Romans 13:11, 12 (Amplified Bible) are worth looking at. “Besides this you know what [ a critical ] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed in and relied on Christ. The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the (full) armor of light”,
In short, wake up and see what is happening around you in our Nation and across the world. If you think it doesn’t concern you, you have fallen into deception and it is time to arise in the Light of Christ. When Government leaders openly defy the law - i.e. legislators fleeing their elected positions and functions, community leaders lying about why they are not at work, and others refusing to obey reasonable police instructions concerning assembling, we are in perilous times. When a leader can decide on his own that duly enacted laws, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, can be declared unconstitutional, and our Government can ignore Court orders - even Contempt of Court, we are in perilous times. When members of Legislatures are duly elected by a fair margin of voters and are then railed against for doing what they campaigned to do, we are in perilous times. Should I go on, or are you seeing it?
If we, the Church, do not stand up against these ungodly and unlawful actions, who will? What is the outcome if lawlessness wins out? Do you think we will escape the rage waiting to unleash itself against anything that is of God? Are you joining together with others of like precious faith and contending for righteousness in prayer? Are you maintaining a confession of faith that allows the provision and protection of God to be manifest in your life? The earth itself is groaning and waiting for the manifestation of mature children of God. Let us be living stones and let our voices be heard in the heavens, both in worship and in prayers of intercession. Let us arise in our spheres of influence - no matter how small or large - and speak out for what is right in the sight of God. Let us not lose courage in doing good. We will see the greatness of our God if we faint not.
We must see that God is our true source and has promised to bless what we put our hands to. Government is not, nor can it ever be, a true source for our lives as it has nothing of its own. It only has what it can take from others. God, however, is the creator of all things and all life finds its source in Him. So, as we respond to His commands, doing what He has placed in front of us and we respond accordingly, by seeking Him and His righteousness first, all the things we have need of are added unto us according to Matthew 6:33. I’m praying for His Kingdom to more fully manifest and His will to be increasingly done on earth as it is in Heaven - how about you? According to Isaiah 9, the real government of mankind is on His shoulders, and of the increase of His government and of His peace there shall be no end. Come Lord Jesus, reveal Yourself increasingly in our lives and heal our land. We need You. We need Your presence manifested now. We stand in You and for You. Amen.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
A Time To Stand Strong
Are these the perilous times the Apostle Paul wrote of to Timothy? Are these the times that try men's souls? Are these the latter days spoken of by Christ Himself in Scripture? Is the fact that we have had five times the average number of tornado's in America this month a sign of the times? Are the issues of storms, drought, floods, fires and earthquakes the result of the hand of God being pulled back because as a Nation we have denied God and His Truth for so long?
Perhaps we could answer "yes" to each these questions and give Scriptural references for each. Perhaps we could say "maybe" and try to reason it out in our heads. Or, perhaps we could say "no" and deny that it is anything more than a current pattern based on jet streams or man-made problems. I'm sure one could find those who would agree on any of the three answers posed above.
But, what is my heart, the place where Holy Spirit dwells telling me? It seems to me that far too many are hiding their heads in the sand and pretending everything is alright, and is going to be alright if we just leave everything alone. I say we have left it alone for far too long! Someone once said "anything left to itself goes to the devil". It appears to me that much of America's former blessings have waned and in their place curses (Biblical absence blessings) because warnings of the few actually watching went unheeded. We, the Body of Christ, remained to silent when Bibles, prayers and Biblical statements were removed from our Schools and public places. We were silent for the most part when abortion was declared law, unconstitutionally by the Court. On we could go, but you get the picture I'm sure.
What shall we then do? The Apostle Paul said that we evil rears up, it is time to stand. It is time we who believe in God and in the righteous foundation of this great Nation take a stand. Stand up and let truth arise in the streets - the spheres where we have influence. That would include our families, our neighborhoods, our places of work, recreation and business. We must stand strong with the Truth of God and the truth of our Founding Fathers in our Constitution which is based upon the principles of Scripture. Let the voice of the Lord resound. Let Truth arise. Stand, stand strong in the power of His Might. Stand with righteous men and women. Stand for righteous justice. We, the people of God must take our place in Him, on this earth and allow His Kingdom to manifest here as in Heaven.
Perhaps we could answer "yes" to each these questions and give Scriptural references for each. Perhaps we could say "maybe" and try to reason it out in our heads. Or, perhaps we could say "no" and deny that it is anything more than a current pattern based on jet streams or man-made problems. I'm sure one could find those who would agree on any of the three answers posed above.
But, what is my heart, the place where Holy Spirit dwells telling me? It seems to me that far too many are hiding their heads in the sand and pretending everything is alright, and is going to be alright if we just leave everything alone. I say we have left it alone for far too long! Someone once said "anything left to itself goes to the devil". It appears to me that much of America's former blessings have waned and in their place curses (Biblical absence blessings) because warnings of the few actually watching went unheeded. We, the Body of Christ, remained to silent when Bibles, prayers and Biblical statements were removed from our Schools and public places. We were silent for the most part when abortion was declared law, unconstitutionally by the Court. On we could go, but you get the picture I'm sure.
What shall we then do? The Apostle Paul said that we evil rears up, it is time to stand. It is time we who believe in God and in the righteous foundation of this great Nation take a stand. Stand up and let truth arise in the streets - the spheres where we have influence. That would include our families, our neighborhoods, our places of work, recreation and business. We must stand strong with the Truth of God and the truth of our Founding Fathers in our Constitution which is based upon the principles of Scripture. Let the voice of the Lord resound. Let Truth arise. Stand, stand strong in the power of His Might. Stand with righteous men and women. Stand for righteous justice. We, the people of God must take our place in Him, on this earth and allow His Kingdom to manifest here as in Heaven.
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