What Would Happen?

What would happen if God's people committed to living Matthew 5:16? "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Wow! People giving glory to God because of your "living out loud" for Him! Something very significant is going on when people give glory to God.

 

What would happen if parents lived for Jesus every minute of every day? A generation of children who lived for Jesus, every minute of every day. What would happen if parents prayed regularly, in front of their children, and with their children? A generation of children who understand the power of prayer, therefore a generation of children on fire for Jesus.

 

What would happen if folks committed to live "counter-culturally" for Jesus? (To live for Jesus in these days is to live counter-culturally.) What would happen if Christian folk, committed to denounce Hollywood for the rest of their lives, and pursue the pure things of God such as prayer and the Word of God? What would happen if there were generations of believers more knowledgeable of God's Word than Hollywood, sports, secular entertainment, and the latest tech trends? Can you say "impact"? Or even "eternal impact"?

 

What would happen if Christians had an understanding of how the "other" 3/4 of the world lives, and a genuine heart for the nations? Let me venture to say there would be revival in those lands...as well as our own!

 

What would happen if believers committed to forgiving those who have offended them? One word..."freedom"!

 

I could go on and on for days on this but let me just ask: What would happen if Christians committed to seeking FIRST God's kingdom and His righteousness? Unlimited! And what would happen if followers of Jesus diligently followed after Jesus? The answers to the above questions are positively mind-boggling. So...what would happen?

God Only Uses Imperfection

How do you think God sees you? Yes, I know He died for you. He bore your sins on the cross. He paid the price for your sins. Yes, I know He loves you so much that He did all the previous for you. But how do you think He sees you?

To some folks that's a silly question. But to a whole lot of others, it is a difficult question to answer. Why is that? Because many born again people tend to see themselves the way they see themselves, not the way God sees them. Or their view of themselves is the product of what others have said about them. The way we see ourselves should line up with the way God sees us. The way God sees us is documented and confirmed in His Word.

The Word of God is the absolute truth. Jesus said if we genuinely follow Him we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. What an incredible promise that is yours from following after Him. In this post I want to share the truth with you about how God sees you, directly from His Word. My prayer is that you will be set free to be who and what He has already ordained you to be.

One of my favorite Scripture passages is from Romans 4:18-22, and is about Abraham. Paul says Abraham through strong faith, considered God would keep His promise to give Him a son, even though he was 100 years old, and Sarah's womb was dead! Paul states that Abraham and Sarah gave respect to the promise by not wavering at all with unbelief, but instead, grew stronger in their faith. Paul further stated that Abraham had so much faith, he was fully assured God could, and would perform what He had promised him. According to the Apostle Paul, Abraham and Sarah were considered the righteousness of God through their faith. Question: Was Paul telling the complete truth about Abraham and Sarah?

According to the Old Testament, the story seems to be a little different. Abraham did indeed waver in his faith. After God had promised him a son (even at his old age) Sarah talked him into going in to his servant Hagar so that she would bear a son to them. (See Genesis Chapter 16) Waver? I think so. When 2 angels visited them and announced "...at this time next year I will surely return to you; and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son", Sarah laughed in disbelief. (See Genesis Chapter 18) This doesn't sound like unwavering faith to me! How about you?

Let me tell you what it sounds like to me. It sounds like God accomplished what He had promised because Abraham and Sarah made themselves available to Him. When all was said and done, God's Word to them came to pass...just as God said it would. Even though Abraham had faith, He couldn't see himself the way God saw him. But even in spite of this, God made Abraham into the man He created Him to be. Looking back from this side of the cross, Paul saw Abraham and Sarah the way God saw him them...a mighty man and woman of God.

 

The writer of Hebrews listed several people from the Old Testament in what we call the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11). But a closer look at their lives from the Old Testament reveals that some had no courage, some had no faith, some were scoundrels, and some even ran from God. In spite of their imperfections their names are listed in the great Hall of Faith because they were available to God. Looking back from this side of the cross the writer of Hebrews sees that God did indeed use them mightily to accomplish great feats.

 

That's the way God sees you and me. Mighty men and women of valor. But understand, we are that way only through His work on the cross, and only according to our surrender to His incredible destiny for us. You must seek out and study the Word of God to know and understand who you are in Christ, and how He sees you. The key to Abraham's success was obedience. He and Sarah didn't obey God without fault. They panicked and tried to help God bring forth His promise instead of trusting Him for it. But nonetheless, they were obedient. And God saw them complete and perfect in Him. That's the way He sees you.

 

Know that you are an awesome creature in the sight of our God. You may not be perfect in your own sight (if so you need to deal with pride), but you ARE complete in Him...just like Abraham and Sarah. So...I challenge you to begin to expect God to do great things in and through you. He has already ordained you to do so! See yourself as God sees you.

Take Courage! (Because It's Needed.)

I believe we are living in the most exciting time ever. Now that may sound a bit looney to some of you. However, in light of Biblical prophecy, and the fact that there are myriads of souls yet to be harvested, I know my opening statement is accurate! If you are alive and breathing...you were born for such a time as this. You may have been born 10 years ago. You may have been born 75 years ago. The fact is...you were born to be God's powerful instrument now and in the coming days.

 

Time is a key word. God's appointed time is drawing closer and closer. Take a look. Take a listen to what is going on all around you. Who can deny things are gearing up for the glorious works of God in these last days? But do you see it? Do you believe it? Follower of Christ are you living life in the comfort of your culture as if nothing has changed? Can you hear the screams of the tortured and murdered innocent from around the planet? Could it be you have buried your head in the sand in hopes of it all blowing over? I pray not.

 

The truth is God has called you to take a stand for Him. He has ordained you to rise up in these last days. He has commissioned you to not make full use of the world, because the world and its present form is passing away. (That's in the Bible!) God has empowered you to witness to the nations by the power of His own Spirit. What are you waiting for? Go! Do it!

 

Re-sensitize yourself by drawing close (really close) to Jesus. Do you have His heart? If not...draw near to Him. Re-kindle your first love for Him through repentance and prayer. Remember, you are His instrument. He didn't save you so you could live for yourself. He didn't call you in vain. Your life counts. Your ministry is most significant. Many souls, many lives depend on it. Surrender you heart to Him again. He is waiting. Souls are depending on you.

 

Take a stand with me as I take a stand for Jesus in these very present last days. Believe with me for open doors of opportunity to preach the good news of Jesus Christ wherever leads. Agree with me for divine appointments that lead to the encouraging of God's mighty church. Let's Go! Let's Do It!

The Power Of Being Powerless

I love an incident in the Old Testament from 2nd Chronicles 20 involving King Jehoshaphat, one of Judah's few godly kings. Jehoshaphat gets news that Judah is about to be overrun by a coalition of armies. The situation looked completely hopeless. Jehoshaphat's initial reaction was to fear (a natural occurrence). But being a godly king, he turned his attention to seek God. In the face of imminent annihilation, realizing he was completely powerless, Jehoshaphat determined to focus his attention on seeking the face of God for help. He understood that God had the power.

I know you'll agree it's tempting to succumb to fear when we are overcome with negative circumstances. It's tempting to panic and take matters (which are impossible) into our own hands. Sometimes we learn the hard way! But Jehoshaphat gives us a great example of focusing on God, even when a flood of evil comes upon us. Remember, he turned his attention from the mountain to God.

We must understand that the place of powerlessness is the place of power...God's power. He can do so much more in, and through you and me as we admit our powerlessness, and seek His face. You may be facing insurmountable, impossible circumstances this very minute. But God is greater. However, the only way He can be greater in your behalf is that you turn your attention from your circumstances to seek His face.

"How I do that?" you may ask. Follow the example of Jehoshaphat. What happened next in 2 Chronicles 20? Jehoshaphat gathered the whole nation of Judah together to fast and pray. This was no small, nor insignificant event. People from every corner of the nation showed up to fast, pray, and seek God's face for help. As Jehoshaphat and the whole nation prayed, they prayed the prayer of faith. What is the prayer of faith? It's a prayer in which you admit your helplessness and declare the power and the works of God over your circumstances. (For you and me it's praying the powerful Word of God, and what the Word declares God will accomplish.)

Listen to the essence of Jehoshaphat's prayer: He declared God to be the "Lord of our fathers", the "God of the heavens", and "Ruler over all the kingdom of the nations". He acknowledged to God that "Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You." He acknowledged that God cleared the inhabitants of the land and gave it to the descendants of Abraham (Israel), God's friend forever! Powerful prayer so far. There's more.

In this prayer Jehoshaphat remembers that his fathers built the sanctuary of God, and that should evil come upon the nation they would stand before this house (where God dwells) and "cry to You in our distress", and..."You will hear us and deliver us". This is the prayer of faith. It is a God-moving prayer. Jehoshaphat acknowledges to God the enemies involved in the attack, the ones the children of Israel were not allowed to drive out (but let live) when they came out of Egypt. Jehoshaphat's prayer of faith leads to these most powerful words; in my opinion, the key to God moving in behalf of their nation. "For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."

Have you ever been there? Perhaps you are there now. The place of complete powerlessness. It is the place where the power of being powerless becomes a reality! How did Judah's powerlessness invoke the supernatural power of our mighty God? Jehoshaphat was at the place of utter helplessness. He and the whole nation acknowledged this to God. God's first words of response to the prayer were the catalyst for the nation's mighty deliverance. "The battle is not yours but God's". Listen to 2 Chronicles 20: 17. "You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you."

The prayer of faith produced the word of victory through the prophet. This word of victory brought forth a worship celebration the day before they went out, and a victory celebration on the way out to face their enemies the next day. God was faithful to deliver Jehoshaphat and the armies of Judah in a miraculous way. It took them three days to gather up the spoils!

Never forget, God will fight your battles for you if you will simply acknowledge that you desperately need Him. His power flows through our powerlessness. Jesus put it this way. "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." When Jesus spoke this to Paul, he confidently stated "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." (See 2 Corinthians 12: 9) God's mighty strength and power are found in our own powerlessness.

The Power of Weakness: Embracing the True Source of Strength By Dan Schaeffer The Power of Weakness encourages you to grasp the biblical truth that God longs to use your limitations to display His greatness. This careful examiniation of Paul's statement helps you shift your focus from your abilities and inabilities to God and encourages you to give God the glory when he accomplishes what you could never orchestrate or predict. Plunge into the pages of this insightful book, embrace the true source of strength, and find relief from the wearying pursuit of success.