Many are familiar with the story of Esther. There was a wicked man by the name of Haman who wanted to destroy the Jews. In a single day he wanted to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews (3:13). Haman told the king one story to why the Jews should be destroyed (3:8) but we know the true reason. Haman hated Mordecai, Esther's cousin, who refused to bow to him (Esther 3:5).
God will always have a people who refuse to bow to the spirit of this age. Men and women who are shut up with God and discern the times they live in. Like Daniel's friends, they refused to bow to a golden image when the devilish music played and so found themselves thrown into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Those who love the Lord become a target of the enemy. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12, KJV).
But gives a promise to those who press into Him and refuse to bow to an oppressive spirit ruling the day. It is the same spirit that taunts a praying mother that her drug addicted son will be destroyed. That spirit mocks a husband praying for healing as his wife lies stricken with cancer. Every godly man and woman at one time or another will hear the enemy threatening them. Kill. Destroy. Annihilate.
But God has something to say to those who draw near to Him. As we read the story, Esther took a calculated risk to approach the king when she had not been called, but God granted her favor. Beloved, don't shrink back and don't bow to the spirit of this wicked age. God has ordered deliverance for your life and the lives of those you have interceded in prayer. When Haman's plot was uncovered, it says, "Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. (Esther 8:7).
Deliverance came for God's people but Esther got the enemy's house. God will not only give us back our sons and daughters and love ones. But the storehouse of the enemy will be emptied out where he stole the years of strength, hope and joy. The enemy is plundered! Brought to utter ruin with nothing to show for his work.
And God does one more thing. The very device to destroy the life of Mordecai becomes the instrument for the enemy's demise. Just as it was written in Isaiah 14:16, "They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms".
Press in, beloved. Your deliverance is coming....and you will be rewarded with full restoration - even Haman's house.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
When Your Enemy Is Chastened
We rather avoid talking about correction. But God has a message for those who may be undergoing His discipline. It's a message of hope and encouragement.
Chastening is much a part of the Christian experience as receiving any number of His blessings. Hebrews 12:6 tells, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (KJV). Chastening is necessary for two reasons. It's a mark that we are His sons and daughters (verse 8). Consider then His correction as an opportunity to experience the Father's love. For many of us it means being healed of that very troubling word - father - a painful word for some to say and even harder to believe God is a good Father.
The end result of chastening according to Hebrews 12:9 is to share in His holiness.
Likewise God chastened His people after hundreds of years of warning against idolatry and all that follows such gross practices. But with their persistent refusal to listen and obey, He sent an army to destroy Jerusalem and drag His people to Babylon.
The prophet Habakkuk writes, "I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us." (Habakkuk 3:16, KJV).
As I read the text, my eyes fell on the words after the prophet talks about the loss of provision: "...yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (3:18). I have heard these words in sermons with an understanding that in time of lack or difficulty God is still worthy of praise - all of which is true.
But the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart of another blessing of chastening one I had not fully understood. Of course, as Hebrews 12:11 says, no correction is pleasant. Yes, correction was in context of being God's child. And yes, it was to purge me and bring me into a deeper, holy walk with Him.
Now here's the blessing I believe will encourage those experiencing a season of chastening. When we are willing to be corrected by God, He will in turn chasten the Enemy. The Enemy who has provoked us, tempted us sorely and accused us of horrible things, of failing God so much so that we are unclean for Him to love us.
I remember as a child my mother telling me to wait until Dad got home when I misbehaved. The hours seemed to slow and I just wanted him to hurry home to get my punishment over. I believe Habakkuk saw the horror of a vile and violent nation coming to his gates and all that it would mean. But he saw something beyond the chastening to when the enemy will be destroyed. A reason he declared he will wait patiently. He would wait on God to bring down the rod and then as a repented nation, restore Israel back to her homeland. And he will wait for God's justice to be done to the nation God used to humble Israel.
Beloved, God will chasten us out of His love and mercy to save us in the end. Whatever the Enemy has used in an attempt to destroy our lives - to humble us and grind us to powder - will be used against him. Remember His mercy will always triumphant over judgment and His mercy throws hell into confusion.
You can go through a time of chastening knowing God has only good in store for you, including destroying the works of the Enemy that almost took your life.
And that is our testimony as chastened, holy sons and daughter of God. That everything works for the good - even as David said, your rod and staff they comfort me - what has brought us the greatest pain makes for a lasting comfort (Psalms 23:4).
Chastening is much a part of the Christian experience as receiving any number of His blessings. Hebrews 12:6 tells, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (KJV). Chastening is necessary for two reasons. It's a mark that we are His sons and daughters (verse 8). Consider then His correction as an opportunity to experience the Father's love. For many of us it means being healed of that very troubling word - father - a painful word for some to say and even harder to believe God is a good Father.
The end result of chastening according to Hebrews 12:9 is to share in His holiness.
Likewise God chastened His people after hundreds of years of warning against idolatry and all that follows such gross practices. But with their persistent refusal to listen and obey, He sent an army to destroy Jerusalem and drag His people to Babylon.
The prophet Habakkuk writes, "I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us." (Habakkuk 3:16, KJV).
As I read the text, my eyes fell on the words after the prophet talks about the loss of provision: "...yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (3:18). I have heard these words in sermons with an understanding that in time of lack or difficulty God is still worthy of praise - all of which is true.
But the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart of another blessing of chastening one I had not fully understood. Of course, as Hebrews 12:11 says, no correction is pleasant. Yes, correction was in context of being God's child. And yes, it was to purge me and bring me into a deeper, holy walk with Him.
Now here's the blessing I believe will encourage those experiencing a season of chastening. When we are willing to be corrected by God, He will in turn chasten the Enemy. The Enemy who has provoked us, tempted us sorely and accused us of horrible things, of failing God so much so that we are unclean for Him to love us.
I remember as a child my mother telling me to wait until Dad got home when I misbehaved. The hours seemed to slow and I just wanted him to hurry home to get my punishment over. I believe Habakkuk saw the horror of a vile and violent nation coming to his gates and all that it would mean. But he saw something beyond the chastening to when the enemy will be destroyed. A reason he declared he will wait patiently. He would wait on God to bring down the rod and then as a repented nation, restore Israel back to her homeland. And he will wait for God's justice to be done to the nation God used to humble Israel.
Beloved, God will chasten us out of His love and mercy to save us in the end. Whatever the Enemy has used in an attempt to destroy our lives - to humble us and grind us to powder - will be used against him. Remember His mercy will always triumphant over judgment and His mercy throws hell into confusion.
You can go through a time of chastening knowing God has only good in store for you, including destroying the works of the Enemy that almost took your life.
And that is our testimony as chastened, holy sons and daughter of God. That everything works for the good - even as David said, your rod and staff they comfort me - what has brought us the greatest pain makes for a lasting comfort (Psalms 23:4).
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Your Break Through Is Coming!
It has been said that the last half hour before your break through is the hardest.
Pressure moments and the temptation to run or quit is the strongest. Praise seems to fade to a whimper while grumbling and complaining seems to bubble up. You do everything to bite your tongue. Just before the Lord comes through it seems nothing is going well rather things have gotten worse or just completely flat lined - no signs of any life or positive change - just a chilly silence greets you from heaven.
Then God does what He always does when things are dead. He calls out our name. Out of the darkness of death, Lazarus heard Jesus call his name. Everyone outside the tomb wasn't listening to Jesus when he assured them he would raise Lazarus from the dead. Steeped in unbelief, they already wrote the end of the story. Lazarus is dead. So much so that after three days he stunk, so Martha points out (John 11:39).
Unbelief will always rely on facts to support the impossible. But faith before facts opens wide the possibility that God can do anything with nothing!
And that is the point.
God will roll death over every fleshly ambition, dream, passion etc so that we are brought to a place where we realize unless God breathes life in this relationship or provides a break in this or that circumstance, it's beyond any hope. We are brought to a place where our strength fails so we no longer resist Him. Only agree with Him.
Your break through is coming when you say simply, "Yes, God, I believe." Hold on beloved. The best is yet to come when we press into Him as the woman with the issue of blood. Her strength was failing but all it took was the brush of her fingertips on the hem of His garment for her to be healed.
His promises are your lifeline. Hold on to them until the dawn gives way to joy.
Pressure moments and the temptation to run or quit is the strongest. Praise seems to fade to a whimper while grumbling and complaining seems to bubble up. You do everything to bite your tongue. Just before the Lord comes through it seems nothing is going well rather things have gotten worse or just completely flat lined - no signs of any life or positive change - just a chilly silence greets you from heaven.
Then God does what He always does when things are dead. He calls out our name. Out of the darkness of death, Lazarus heard Jesus call his name. Everyone outside the tomb wasn't listening to Jesus when he assured them he would raise Lazarus from the dead. Steeped in unbelief, they already wrote the end of the story. Lazarus is dead. So much so that after three days he stunk, so Martha points out (John 11:39).
Unbelief will always rely on facts to support the impossible. But faith before facts opens wide the possibility that God can do anything with nothing!
And that is the point.
God will roll death over every fleshly ambition, dream, passion etc so that we are brought to a place where we realize unless God breathes life in this relationship or provides a break in this or that circumstance, it's beyond any hope. We are brought to a place where our strength fails so we no longer resist Him. Only agree with Him.
Your break through is coming when you say simply, "Yes, God, I believe." Hold on beloved. The best is yet to come when we press into Him as the woman with the issue of blood. Her strength was failing but all it took was the brush of her fingertips on the hem of His garment for her to be healed.
His promises are your lifeline. Hold on to them until the dawn gives way to joy.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Rightly Relating
I can remember many times in church the phrase from Revelation 2:4 used both as a comfort and warning. Returning to your first love means repenting or turning 180 degrees in a different direction.
The original meaning for repent in Revelations 2:5 means think differently afterwards.
Returning to our first love is to a Person not to some euphoric state like when we first gave our hearts to Christ. Remember how wonderful and joyful the experience when Christ filled our hearts with His love and peace? Our eyes were open to the truth of His mercy. We experienced His lavished grace forgiving our sins and setting us free. He brought hope and comfort in our broken and hopelessly condition.
Sadly, some Christians are locked in looking back at such a moment with great longing as if they missed God altogether. But He desires us to relate rightly to Him no matter how we view our Christian experience. In other words, God wants us to mature, deepen our love for Him independent of how good or poor our natural or present condition.
Think of the Israelites in Egypt who were treated as slaves but still the children of God. Their understanding of God reflected their present condition. They viewed Him much like their cruel task masters. God's promises of deliverance only made their lives more miserable than bring relief (Exodus 5:1-21). They could not rightly relate to God in faith that He would eventually punish Egypt and set them free.
Later in the wilderness, they complained for the lack of water and bread. Psalms 103:7 says, "He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel." (NLT). Moses knew the loving heart of God but Israel knew God only what He could do for them. How many believers only love Him for prayers answered or blessings imparted but know little of His heart!
Centuries later, Daniel along with his nation were dragged off into Babylon. Here in this wicked city this man came into a key revelation that served to strengthen his love for God. Daniel understood the same God who delivered His people in Egypt and brought them into the land only to drive them out was still a God of mercy. One day they would return to the Promise Land.
For now the location, place and time was different but God does not change - we do and must change - in our relating to Him. Christians who remain fixed on what was or could be will soon learn that God is no longer in that place. Likewise, Daniel was no longer in Jerusalem. There was no temple to pray and worship. He had to learn to trust God in a heathenish society filled with violence (much like our present day) even when it appeared God was silent. Another person in captivity was Esther. In the book that shares her name there is no mention of God but His imprint on her life and the keeping power for His people is very evident.
Beloved, we rightly relate to God through faith not through our experiences or emotions. Let me pause to address a problem of regret. Regret will only deform and hinder our walk with Christ. We must stopped mulling over our failures, sins and weakness. If we truly repent, He forgives and places them under the blood of Jesus. God is not pleased when we speak to Him about sins that He has tossed into the sea of forgetfulness (Micah 7:19).
He is pleased when we take His promises in faith believing that no matter how our lives might have turned out, He deeply loves us. He changes us and makes different so we can relate rightly to Him.
The original meaning for repent in Revelations 2:5 means think differently afterwards.
Returning to our first love is to a Person not to some euphoric state like when we first gave our hearts to Christ. Remember how wonderful and joyful the experience when Christ filled our hearts with His love and peace? Our eyes were open to the truth of His mercy. We experienced His lavished grace forgiving our sins and setting us free. He brought hope and comfort in our broken and hopelessly condition.
Sadly, some Christians are locked in looking back at such a moment with great longing as if they missed God altogether. But He desires us to relate rightly to Him no matter how we view our Christian experience. In other words, God wants us to mature, deepen our love for Him independent of how good or poor our natural or present condition.
Think of the Israelites in Egypt who were treated as slaves but still the children of God. Their understanding of God reflected their present condition. They viewed Him much like their cruel task masters. God's promises of deliverance only made their lives more miserable than bring relief (Exodus 5:1-21). They could not rightly relate to God in faith that He would eventually punish Egypt and set them free.
Later in the wilderness, they complained for the lack of water and bread. Psalms 103:7 says, "He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel." (NLT). Moses knew the loving heart of God but Israel knew God only what He could do for them. How many believers only love Him for prayers answered or blessings imparted but know little of His heart!
Centuries later, Daniel along with his nation were dragged off into Babylon. Here in this wicked city this man came into a key revelation that served to strengthen his love for God. Daniel understood the same God who delivered His people in Egypt and brought them into the land only to drive them out was still a God of mercy. One day they would return to the Promise Land.
For now the location, place and time was different but God does not change - we do and must change - in our relating to Him. Christians who remain fixed on what was or could be will soon learn that God is no longer in that place. Likewise, Daniel was no longer in Jerusalem. There was no temple to pray and worship. He had to learn to trust God in a heathenish society filled with violence (much like our present day) even when it appeared God was silent. Another person in captivity was Esther. In the book that shares her name there is no mention of God but His imprint on her life and the keeping power for His people is very evident.
Beloved, we rightly relate to God through faith not through our experiences or emotions. Let me pause to address a problem of regret. Regret will only deform and hinder our walk with Christ. We must stopped mulling over our failures, sins and weakness. If we truly repent, He forgives and places them under the blood of Jesus. God is not pleased when we speak to Him about sins that He has tossed into the sea of forgetfulness (Micah 7:19).
He is pleased when we take His promises in faith believing that no matter how our lives might have turned out, He deeply loves us. He changes us and makes different so we can relate rightly to Him.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
His Appointed Season
God controls the seasons of our lives. He starts and ends a season only to begin another season. It can be a season of chastening, prospering or maturing in His love. Since God is outside of time, a season can last a few days, several weeks or years. But with each season we gain a deeper revelation of His heart.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 describes these seasons as an appointed time. God has an appointed time in our lives where He desires to correct, discipline, strengthen and do a deeper work of trust in our hearts. We must pray in those times to have a willing spirit to listen and obey His voice.
How many believers have been granted a season of grace to deal with the issues in their heart but refuse to hear and heed! No wonder their spiritual lives are so dried and withered. Their prayers fall flat and unfilled. Relationships are strained and at a breaking point. Scripture tells us that the rebellious dwell in a barren land (Psalms 68:6). Israel refused to believe God had the power to bring them in and out of the season of preparation in the wilderness and into the Promised Land. So they were order back in the wilderness where the first generation died never setting foot in a land flowing with milk and honey.
Beloved, we don't have much time to get it right. God is on the move and His heart is with the humble. He listens and speaks to those whose hearts are set on Him. He is not looking for perfect people but those who have prepared their hearts for Him to do whatever He pleases. They hold nothing back from Him. He can mold and fashion them as a skilled potter who creates at His pleasure even if the material is flawed.
Remember seasons are temporary but what remains is a strengthened faith in His power to keep us. Peter writes, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7, KJV). Trials, suffering, poverty, poor health or whatever difficulty we encounter is working in us a greater, more lasting glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).
At end of Job's trying season it says that the latter part of his life was greater than the beginning (Job 42:12). Beloved, we don't need to grin and bear the season God has appointed for our lives. Rather we must rest in Him as He does His good work and leave the outcome His responsibility. This is after all His appointed season which is not based on our time table, schedule or some five year plan.
Just like Job at the end of the season we will always be stronger, richer in faith and more satisfied than at the first because we see clearly the work of Jesus unfolding as promised, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NIV).
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 describes these seasons as an appointed time. God has an appointed time in our lives where He desires to correct, discipline, strengthen and do a deeper work of trust in our hearts. We must pray in those times to have a willing spirit to listen and obey His voice.
How many believers have been granted a season of grace to deal with the issues in their heart but refuse to hear and heed! No wonder their spiritual lives are so dried and withered. Their prayers fall flat and unfilled. Relationships are strained and at a breaking point. Scripture tells us that the rebellious dwell in a barren land (Psalms 68:6). Israel refused to believe God had the power to bring them in and out of the season of preparation in the wilderness and into the Promised Land. So they were order back in the wilderness where the first generation died never setting foot in a land flowing with milk and honey.
Beloved, we don't have much time to get it right. God is on the move and His heart is with the humble. He listens and speaks to those whose hearts are set on Him. He is not looking for perfect people but those who have prepared their hearts for Him to do whatever He pleases. They hold nothing back from Him. He can mold and fashion them as a skilled potter who creates at His pleasure even if the material is flawed.
Remember seasons are temporary but what remains is a strengthened faith in His power to keep us. Peter writes, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7, KJV). Trials, suffering, poverty, poor health or whatever difficulty we encounter is working in us a greater, more lasting glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).
At end of Job's trying season it says that the latter part of his life was greater than the beginning (Job 42:12). Beloved, we don't need to grin and bear the season God has appointed for our lives. Rather we must rest in Him as He does His good work and leave the outcome His responsibility. This is after all His appointed season which is not based on our time table, schedule or some five year plan.
Just like Job at the end of the season we will always be stronger, richer in faith and more satisfied than at the first because we see clearly the work of Jesus unfolding as promised, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NIV).
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