You can choose not to believe. That is the interesting thing about the human mind, we can convince ourselves of our own reality and no one can convince us otherwise. We believe to be truth what we choose to believe. We can also limit the truth by choosing not to believe. So, many people choose to limit themselves to what they see. What a dull existence if all that exists is what we perceive with our sight.
It is possible to limit Jesus by either choosing not to believe everything the Word tells us or not to believe anything at all. If you choose not to believe in God he will leave you in that non-belief. He has called many of us to fight for you, to pray and to be instruments of his glory and grace so that you can see if you choose to see but if you harden your heart toward him, he will leave you there.
We see this demonstrated in many places in the Word but the one that stands out for me is found in the history of the beginning of the Church:
Some people had closed their minds, though. They refused to believe and publicly slandered the Way. As a result, Paul left them, took the disciples with him, and continued his daily interactions in Tyrannus’ lecture hall. (Acts 19:9)
Yes, that tends to be the results of people closing their minds to Jesus; they don't just walk away, they attack. Often it is not enough not to believe, people also attack what they choose not to believe to justify their non-belief. Strange how that works. As we see more of society being taken in by the lies of the enemy, choosing not to believe the acts of our loving God, they are becoming hostile toward those who do believe. From their position of imperfection they demand perfection from a people saved, not by their righteousness but, by the grace of Yahweh.
By closing their minds many people are unable to understand the message of Jesus, his actions, the Word or the purpose of the Church. We must not be surprised by their actions toward us because they have closed their mind to understanding. However, that does not excuse us from our responsibility to share the good news of Jesus Christ to anyone who is willing to listen. Like Paul, we must move from the hard soil to the fertile soil leaving the others to the mercy of Yahweh. We need to pray that more minds would be open to receiving the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Remember, we are not in the fight of our lives but of those who have not received Jesus. We are well saved and have received all that we need, but now we are involved in a battle that must put others ahead of ourselves, as inconvenient as that may seem. Apostle Paul encouraged us to work hard for the benefit of others so let's get to it and may those closed minds be opened.
Showing posts with label pressing on. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pressing on. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
The Spirit Is Here To Help Us
If you are a Christian it should come as no surprise that we are living in a hostile environment. We don't fit in and we are not meant to. We are not given to compromise but instead we stand our ground. Not always easy because many of the elements that are against us because of Christ in us are also attractive to our flesh. But we are not alone.
Somehow we need to develop the mentality that we are not alone. Jesus did not give us new birth, anoint us and send us out as secret agents on our own. He did all that in plain sight of the enemy and stands with us. We are not alone because the life we have is in Jesus and he lives in us. We are never alone and we do not fight in our own strength. We do not stand the ground we have been given by using our own strength but instead we use the strength that is lent to us by our Lord. He knows exactly what we need for this fight.
What we can take courage from is knowing that Jesus knows what is going on even when we don't and he understands our limits:
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. (Romans 8:26)
Faith is trust. We cannot say that we have faith when we demonstrate so often that we don't trust. We are not required to have complete understanding of every situation but we are required to trust. When we trust we move forward in faith, never turning from the course set out before us. Trust says, "I know I am not in this alone, that I represent the King who I walk with, and that he is my strength and he will see me through everything I face." This is our confidence. This is our joy. This is our peace.
Whatever you are facing, whatever resistance, whatever persecution, whatever hardships, know you are not alone. Know that Jesus is lending you the strength and ability to overcome these things. Know that with Jesus we win. So don't give up but push through; fight on; keep pressing in. The Spirit is here to help us. Trust.
Somehow we need to develop the mentality that we are not alone. Jesus did not give us new birth, anoint us and send us out as secret agents on our own. He did all that in plain sight of the enemy and stands with us. We are not alone because the life we have is in Jesus and he lives in us. We are never alone and we do not fight in our own strength. We do not stand the ground we have been given by using our own strength but instead we use the strength that is lent to us by our Lord. He knows exactly what we need for this fight.
What we can take courage from is knowing that Jesus knows what is going on even when we don't and he understands our limits:
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. (Romans 8:26)
Faith is trust. We cannot say that we have faith when we demonstrate so often that we don't trust. We are not required to have complete understanding of every situation but we are required to trust. When we trust we move forward in faith, never turning from the course set out before us. Trust says, "I know I am not in this alone, that I represent the King who I walk with, and that he is my strength and he will see me through everything I face." This is our confidence. This is our joy. This is our peace.
Whatever you are facing, whatever resistance, whatever persecution, whatever hardships, know you are not alone. Know that Jesus is lending you the strength and ability to overcome these things. Know that with Jesus we win. So don't give up but push through; fight on; keep pressing in. The Spirit is here to help us. Trust.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Authority Questioned
This is Passion Week, the week ending with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians we take a little bit of extra time to examine the scriptures and reflect on the significance of each step that Jesus took closer to the cross. But the cross was not the end, as it was only the beginning.
That is one of the most unfortunate things about Christians, we fall asleep too close to where we get into bed. It is a sure way to fall out of bed. Too many people receive salvation and leave it at that. They come to the cross, repent of their sins, claim Jesus as King but don't go any further. They fail to understand that the cross is the open door to a great adventure that lay beyond it.
Past the cross is the empty grave, the resurrection, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, the power to live an incredible life as a servant of Jesus in this place. Jesus has given us the right and privilege to serve him in his authority. That authority will be questioned at every turn, by the world and by Christians who have not gone beyond the cross. But do you know that the religious leaders at that time also questioned Jesus about his authority? Yes, days before the cross the enemy was trying to plant doubt in Jesus' mind with "Who do you think you are?"
Jesus had gone into the temple and was teaching when the chief priests and the leaders of the people came up to him. They asked, “What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)
But Jesus refused to answer them for the simple reason that he knew they would not accept his answer. He told them he would answer their question if they would tell him where John the Baptist got his authority. These "leaders" were more interested in controlling the people than they were in the facts that lay before them. You will find the same thing.
Jesus has given you the authority to operate supernaturally but there are those who do not want the Church to look weird. They are more interested in acceptability, fitting in, and the relevance of the Church to the community. They want to feed the hungry, care for the sick, run food banks and community kitchens. These are great projects but we are called to more than this. We are here to preach the good news, cast out demons, cast out illness, bring healing to mind, body and soul. We are here to fight for people on whatever level the Spirit directs us. We are instruments for the manifestation of the Spirit of God, lightening rods for God to reveal himself to man.
The greatest opposition to the authority of Jesus is not from the world but from those who only know the cross. But you can't let that worry you. You don't have time to be defending yourself to such people. Our time is running out here and there is a lot left to do. Jesus did not waste time on such people and neither should we. Leave them be in their limited thinking and understanding as they handcuff God and move on with the work you have been given to do in Jesus' authority.
Jesus gave us the cross. Amen! He gave us the empty grave. Amen! And he left so that he could send to us the Holy Spirit, to enable us to live the example he left for us. Jesus lived those three years in ministry to set an example for those who would follow. He set an example of how to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was odd and stood out from everything else around him. He stood out. Let me repeat it again:He stood out! He became a target but he pressed on. When we serve him in the power of the Spirit, in his authority, we stand out, we are odd and we may become a target. But we press on, determined to end our time here in faithful service to our King.
Do not let anyone discourage you from becoming what Jesus wants you to be.
That is one of the most unfortunate things about Christians, we fall asleep too close to where we get into bed. It is a sure way to fall out of bed. Too many people receive salvation and leave it at that. They come to the cross, repent of their sins, claim Jesus as King but don't go any further. They fail to understand that the cross is the open door to a great adventure that lay beyond it.
Past the cross is the empty grave, the resurrection, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, the power to live an incredible life as a servant of Jesus in this place. Jesus has given us the right and privilege to serve him in his authority. That authority will be questioned at every turn, by the world and by Christians who have not gone beyond the cross. But do you know that the religious leaders at that time also questioned Jesus about his authority? Yes, days before the cross the enemy was trying to plant doubt in Jesus' mind with "Who do you think you are?"
Jesus had gone into the temple and was teaching when the chief priests and the leaders of the people came up to him. They asked, “What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)
But Jesus refused to answer them for the simple reason that he knew they would not accept his answer. He told them he would answer their question if they would tell him where John the Baptist got his authority. These "leaders" were more interested in controlling the people than they were in the facts that lay before them. You will find the same thing.
Jesus has given you the authority to operate supernaturally but there are those who do not want the Church to look weird. They are more interested in acceptability, fitting in, and the relevance of the Church to the community. They want to feed the hungry, care for the sick, run food banks and community kitchens. These are great projects but we are called to more than this. We are here to preach the good news, cast out demons, cast out illness, bring healing to mind, body and soul. We are here to fight for people on whatever level the Spirit directs us. We are instruments for the manifestation of the Spirit of God, lightening rods for God to reveal himself to man.
The greatest opposition to the authority of Jesus is not from the world but from those who only know the cross. But you can't let that worry you. You don't have time to be defending yourself to such people. Our time is running out here and there is a lot left to do. Jesus did not waste time on such people and neither should we. Leave them be in their limited thinking and understanding as they handcuff God and move on with the work you have been given to do in Jesus' authority.
Jesus gave us the cross. Amen! He gave us the empty grave. Amen! And he left so that he could send to us the Holy Spirit, to enable us to live the example he left for us. Jesus lived those three years in ministry to set an example for those who would follow. He set an example of how to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was odd and stood out from everything else around him. He stood out. Let me repeat it again:He stood out! He became a target but he pressed on. When we serve him in the power of the Spirit, in his authority, we stand out, we are odd and we may become a target. But we press on, determined to end our time here in faithful service to our King.
Do not let anyone discourage you from becoming what Jesus wants you to be.
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