This week, get the ball rolling on new projects, new goals. Be bold and put a lot of time and effort at this beginning. The greater the momentum you start with, the less you will need over the long haul.
Set your sights high!
Challenge!
“Looking unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
This word “despising” from a Greek word that means, “to think down”, which is just the opposite of mushrooming it out of proportion. He did not dwell on the shame of the cross and how awful the dying process, but He had respect unto the joy, which was set before Him. He was joy-conscious!
We read, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I life; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God”, (Galatians 2:20-21).
There has been much needed teaching on the death to self process, for without it there can be no resurrection into His more abundant life. But there comes a time when we need to become more LIFE-CONSCIOUS. Phillips gives, “My present life is not that of the old ‘I; but the LIVING CHRIST WITHIN ME”. In whatever measures of this new life we have our portion, let us rejoice. As we daily commit our way unto the Lord, He is going to bring about a certain amount of the death process during that day, but at the same time He is also going to LIVE HIS LIFE THROUGH US, as it is needed. You will not have to worry about “dying’ during the day, He will see to it that this is accomplished. But it will certainly bring a new manifestation of victory if we become more LIFE-CONSCIOUS, and begin to see the Hand of God working in us to bring forth the expressions of His life.
Betimes, when going through a trial and inner death to self, one would ask, “how are things going?” and I would answer, “just fine”. Then wonder if I was being hypocritical. Then He said to me, “When thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto Thy Father which is in heaven”. And the principle was clear – rejoice in His joy and life, regardless of the temporary conditions. Confess His victory!
This week triple-check with the Lord before making financial, legal or even time or emotional commitments. There are by definition strings attached, and it will be easier to avoid the situation altogether rather than to have to untangle the results. Don’t try to help others by over- or inappropriately extending yourself.
It’s not your job to meet others’ needs. Be strong but compassionate.
Have a great week.
When bombarded with negativity from all sides, it is our responsibility to set our minds, emotions and decisions squarely on Truth. Rather than try to figure out what is going on, or waiting for things to get better or clearer, assume the Truth about God’s plans for you. This, whatever ‘This’ is for you, is God’s intent for your life right now. There is no Second-Hand Purpose for your life. Conclude that ‘This’ is Best for you: Face every fear, doubt, tragedy, tough decision with Gratitude.
“Thank you Daddy for this opportunity to Depend on You for Strength, Guidance, Stability, even though I don’t see, feel, think it right now.”
As soon as you blame someone else, or give someone else credit, you are giving someone other than God authority in your life.
Assume the Best. He will lead, reveal in His time.
Be at Peace, but be Steadfast in Enduring that you may Overcome your self First.
For our purposes we are referring to this particular transition time as a separate age since the events that demark it are of such significance. On one end, its beginning is the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, by which the full debt of the law was paid. The Father didn’t forgive the debt; it was a real debt, and had to be paid in reality. Jesus PAID it; the bill has been stamped “paid in full.” It is “finished.” Jesus’s sinless death was the full recompense necessary to conclude the period of law. The temple veil, the boundary separating God from man, was torn in two. One day God’s people were sacrificing animals in the temple, and it was acceptable; the next day — the day of the Resurrection — the sacrifice was no longer acceptable or sufficient as atonement for sin.
[excerpted from “Practical Christianity”]
Part of learning to Rule and Reign is developing the skill of evaluating others’ judgment. Often this just takes a little time and practice — observe your boss, your spouse, your kids, your friends. What CHARACTER traits are they exhibiting? List at least 5 positive traits for each negative trait you notice. [For now leave yourself out of it.]
This exercise will help you develop objectivity, the first step in developing the skill of sound judgment.
Helpful? Hard to do? Leave a comment.
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.” (Revelation 3:12)
A pillar is one who supports, bears the load without wavering, always stedfast, faithful. There is a place in God where we are “stedfast, unmoveable”, (I Corinthians 15:58), “being rooted and grounded in love”, (Ephesians 3:17).
God is establishing His pillars, and upon them He shall build His kingdom in the days ahead. The process of producing OVERCOMERS results in receiving those who do gain the victory, and thus qualify for becoming His “pillar and ground of the truth”, (I Tim. 3:15), from whence the kingdom shall arise. Settled in Christ they are not blown about by every wind of doctrine. Founded upon the Rock they need not run to and fro, to seek Christ in the desert or in the far city. He dwells within them, and they dwell in Him.
“All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when He lifteth up an ensign on the mountains,” (Isa. 18:3). God’s ensign, His pillar and ground of the truth, shall not be pointing in first one direction, and then with a change of mind point in another direction. These shall KNOW THEIR GOD, and they shall consistently point men to HIM. Their lives shall be a solid, living declaration of truth. Their state of being shall challenge men and women to right-ness.
The opposite of this elect company is found in Proverbs 5:6, which well describes the religious harlot systems of Babylon, “Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them”. Moveable ways! Nothing stable. As the waves of the sea, driven and tossed, double minded in all their ways. Trying to serve God and the flesh at the same time, it is utter con-fusion.
But the “pillars” whom the Lord is preparing “know in Whom they have believed”, thus changing circumstances do not alter their standing. Trials and testings do not dim their vision. HE IS, and they are IN HIM.
On this earth we are contending with 3 Enemies: The World System, the Flesh or Self-Life, and the Devil. Right now the World System is in full Attack Mode. Remember that all of your enemies are liars, and are out to rob, kill and destroy YOU.
Do Not Get Drawn Into Battle On Their Terms!
Instead, focus on the Lord’s economy. He OWNS the economy; therefore, as a son of God, a joint-heir, a co-inheritor, you, too, own the economy. You are not the slave or victim — you are the MASTER!
Use this time to let the Lord reveal areas that need healing and belief-changing. Review your financial situation objectively and look for ways to eliminate your vulnerabilities to these attacks [i.e., do you need to change your financial mindset to get out and stay out of debt or change your career objectives / work ethic?***]
Oh, and stop watching the “news.” When Bad News comes calling, just say,
“Thanks, I Think I’ll Pass.”
[***If you need a strategy to get out and stay out of debt, I recommend attending your local FPU class through DaveRamsey.com, everything but his teaching on tithing.]During the Age of Knowledge, everyone did what their personal knowledge told them to do. During this time period there were judges, priests, kings, prophets, seers, and other leaders God would occasionally raise up in order to instruct and guide the people. Over time the list of boundaries, or laws, expanded to include everything from what to eat, how to treat one another, how to worship and how to go to war. When God, through whatever means, instituted a law, it was at that point in time that the people were held accountable. One day it was “legal,” the next day, “illegal.” The Age of Knowledge, or Law, was in effect until every statute was fulfilled in reality, which occurred at the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. These boundaries, laws and requirements were necessary because man could not know God on His terms, which were limitless, because in Adam the Spirit-life had been lost, and with it, the capability to have true communion with God.
–excerpted from “Practical Christianity”
Amidst the confusion of today’s economy, political upheaval and personal uncertainty, many Christians look for a tried and true formula to find their way with as little disruption as possible. We look for “at least”s — “At least we’re praying for God’s will to be done” — “At least we’re praying for our leaders” — “At least we know we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing” — “at least we’re all in the same boat — God won’t let us ALL sink”…
But what if God has More for us now than the Least? To discover More, we will have to leave the formulas and the Leasts behind. More is hearing God specifically and directly, and with certainty, even when More doesn’t line up with what we think, feel or want to do, regardless of the times and seasons we live in…Dare we wait expectantly for More, and climb out of the boat?
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Daddy, we know that in our spirit we know all things, past, present and future, and we know and celebrate what each day holds. We know that we are in full agreement, cooperation and confidence in our plans. So Daddy, if there is anything in the soulical or natural realms that we need to be working on, that we may be distracted from by the BIG stuff that’s happening, do whatever is necessary to draw our attention to our true present task so that we may make the most of this great opportunity. We thank you in advance, and we love you.
…Thanks, Your Beloved.