The Hope of Glory

We are living in an age of anxiety, many are paralyzed by fear of anything and everything, except God. Have you ever seen someone who looks as though they have it all together? Everything about them says they know how to live life and we may even envy them for how together they are. But if we had the eyes of God to see into their hearts, you would see that they are a nervous ball of fears, uncertainty, anxious thoughts, strained emotions.  What is shown on the outside is a false front, design to disguise what is truly going on in the inside. You see, even as Christians we struggle with self-issues that we don’t want to deal with since we have moved on. Nevertheless, underlying issues remain and the more we keep the outside clean and shiny, the darker and dense the inside becomes.

Oh, how wonderful God is when His light has begun to shine on the dark and dense places on the inside. All who are Christians remember the moment when you decided to choose Christ as your Lord and Savior, the moment He became your deliver, and your redeemer.  Life w

as better, there was a feeling of joy and finally peace, but as the days moved on you found yourself moving back toward your old way of thinking and the fears have come back. The only way to fight the enemy is to get into the Word of God, it is time to fight the good fight of faith through the Word. it’s time to seek out what God says belongs to us as being His children. We need to remember that our old man has been crucified with Christ and that we have been freed from sin (Rom. 6:6,7). 

Our hope for growth, meaning and fulfillment as a Christian is based on understanding who we are – specifically, our identity in Christ as a child of God. The Bible is our source book to seek, understand and Learn who we are and all that has been bestowed upon us since we are now in Christ.  Study the following scriptures, meditate upon them, let them soak deep within your soul and Spirit. Read them daily so they will flow from your tongue as you wield the sword of the Spirit – the Word; so, when the devil comes to tell you otherwise, your sword stands ready.

Knowing who we are in Christ is like an eternal light coming on in the inside of you. Our old has gone, and we are new creatures in Christ, as we embrace our adoption, let us understand all that this privilege has given us and let us walk accordingly. I want to reiterate what I said above, don’t let the devil get to your mind and you start to doubt the Word of God. Don’t give him a chance to talk you out of what Christ has done for you. He will try to bring your old ways and thought patters back, he will try to make you dwell on past failures and fears. So, embrace the truth as God begins speaking to you personally, because the devil doesn’t want you to know who you really are.  He knows that when you start to embrace who you are in Christ, his attempts to deceive you makes him a defeated foe and he has no power over you any longer – but that will not stop him from trying to get into your head to make you doubt.  There is power in God’s Word and there is power in your mouth, receive these and other scriptures as truth, for God cannot deny His Word. This list of “who you are” is one that is inexhaustible, so as you study these scriptures and think on them add to your own personalize list as God shows you who you are.

Scriptures

I am a child of God - John 1:12                       I am Christ’s Friend – John 15:15

I have been justified – Rom. 5:1                     I am united and one spirit with Christ – 1Cor. 6:17

I have been bought with a price                     I am a member of Christ’s body – 1Cor.12:27

1 Cor. 6:20                                                      

I am a Saint -Eph. 1:1                                      I have been adopted – Eph. 1:5

I have direct access – Eph. 2:18                      I have been redeemed and forgiven – Col.1:14

I am complete in Christ – Col.2:10                  I am free from condemnation – Rom. 8:1,2

I am assured that all things work together for good – 8:28

I am free from any condemning charges against me – Rom. 8:31-34

I cannot be separated from the love of God – Rom. 8:35-39

I have been established, anointed and sealed by God – 2 Cor. 1:21-22

I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected – Phil. 1:6

I am a citizen of heaven – Phil 3:20                I am hidden with Christ in God – Col. 3:3

I have not been given a spirit of fear -2 Tim. 1:7

I can find grace and mercy in time of need – Heb. 4:16

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me – 1 John 5:18

I am the salt of the earth – Matt. 5:13           I am the light of the world – Matt. 5:14

I am part of the true vine – Jn. 15:1,5            I am chose to bear fruit – Jn. 15:16

I am a slave of righteousness – Rom. 6:18     I am enslaved to God – Rom. 6:22

I am a joint heir with Christ – Rom. 8:17        I am a temple of God – 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19

I am united to the Lord and am one spirt with Him – 1 Cor. 6:17

I am a member of Christ Body 1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 5:30          I am a new creation – 2 Cor. 5:17

I am a son/daughter of God – Gal. 3:26,28       I am God’s workmanship – Eph. 2:10

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved – Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4

I am a son of light and not of darkness – 1 Thess. 5:5

I am one of God’s living stones, being built up in Christ – 1 Peter 2:5

I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling – Heb. 3:1

I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation – 1 Peter 2:9,10

I am an enemy of the devil – 1 Peter 2:11     

I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live – 1 Peter 2:11

I am born of God, and the evil one-the devil-cannot touch me – 1 John 5:18

God bless

Chosen2Prayer

Promises and Power of God

Jn. 3:27 “…a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

Rom. 8:25 “…then do we with patience wait for it.”

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” (2Peter 1:3). All that we will ever need is in Him, for He is our source for strength, ability, might, and power and He has given to us these thigs where we draw strength, endurance, faith to work the work He has given for us to do. His Word is His promise that we can trust completely in: “for all the promises of God in him are yea (yes) and in him amen (truly, so be it), unto the glory of God by us” 2 Cor:1:2.  What a wonderful blessing to know that in God His promises are sure, His Word is sure, and that not one promise of God is “no” to those who will believe. If He said it will he not do it?

As we look in Matthew 17:20 we see Jesus speaking; “… if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove...” this is a powerful statement, the story here was that the disciples were unable to cast out a demon from a young man and the father went to Jesus to see if He could help his son. Of course, Jesus was successful but He told the disciples "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" Mat. 17:21 (NASB). unbelief or doubt is a killer to faith, it hinders our prayers from being answered, it stops the Word from producing fruit when we speak it because our faith is mixed with doubt.

If you have faith it will be done – whatever you say – but if you do not have faith it will not be done. We need this mustard seed of faith that which is pure and unmixed with doubt, to know that we can move every mountain, every obstacle, every road block that tries to hinder what God has given us to do. As you begin to search the Bible for the promises of God your faith will awaken, there will be a knowing that is birth within that is indescribable because faith has been stirred.  Never should doubt or fear come in us when God has called us to do something, in fact just kick those out of your vocabulary right now and know that “…nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Mt. 17:20).

Our Mustard seed faith is very powerful, if you have ever seen an actual mustard seed you will know that, that tiny seed is like an atom bomb waiting to be connected with your belief and what God’s Word says we have. And when it is released, it becomes the power of God, and the faith of God that will move the mountains and all that stands in our way.  There is great power even in a little faith when we trust in God’s power to act. The next time you feel weak or powerless, examine your faith, make sure you are trusting God’s power and not your own ability to produce fruit. 

A good example of this is in 1 Samuel 15, here you will find Saul who was anointed King over Israel, who was victorious over many of the enemies of Israel because of God’s hand upon him. But something went wrong in his thinking, he didn’t follow God’s command completely, he disobeys God in the taking of the king and the best of the animals (1 Sam.15:8-9).  Then, he intruded into the priest office by offering a burnt offering (1 Sam. 13:8-15), If men could only learn to obey God and be patient until He sends help in times of need, it would be a great lesson learned. Then he sought guidance from one with a familiar spirit, the same people he had vanquished and destroyed he was now seeking their help (1 Sam. 28:7-25).  

 Saul chose to do these things because he feared the people more than God, he was prideful and then in desperation he totally disobeyed the laws of God, the one who had given him victory over many of his enemies. But he never realized that disobedience to what God called him to had such a dire consequence.  You see, when God has given you a word, a task or a calling, and you fail in obeying or you half-heartily follow it or you are fearful of what people would say, the one at fault is you. Saul did not see himself as one at fault, he thought it was the people he feared, it was his impatience, and it was Samuel who had died and left him. He was the king the people followed him, as his faith weakened and an evil spirit rested upon him the people’s faith was lacking and as he disobeyed the people followed.

Saul is an example that shows us how life can become when we walk in our own ways and thoughts. Remember, we have the power of God in us, that is, those who have truly received the atoning work of Jesus as Lord of their lives. We have been given a precious gift when Jesus said; “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter, that He may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). This comforter, is the precious Holy Spirit, He is living in us, He is that power behind the mustard seed faith, He is that power that raised Jesus and Lazarus from their grave, and He is that power that worked when God said “Let there be…” When God calls us, we should let nothing stop us from going forth to do the will of God. And as we walk in obedience to God’s will good fruit will come forth.

Accessing the promises of God requires that we “have faith in God” and doubt not. For when we meet this condition we can thus know and believe that “…what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). We must ask according to God’s will our desires, what is your desire you ask? God’s will is God’s Word and God’s Word is your desire.  Ask in faith, believing and never doubting, for the deeper we get into Gods Word, and the more time we spend in His presence a relationship develops, an intimacy that you have never known is being formed.  And suddenly, all that you thought was vital to your existence no longer has priority, and every trial or situation has lost its urgency because now you know what it means when God say’s “but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mt. 6:33).

The desires of your heart are no longer worldly, for God does see the condition you’re in, He knows what you are facing, He has promised never to leave you or forsake you. So, let your faith stand strong knowing that he is an on - time God, let God handle the issues of your life and let Him work everything out according to His plans for you – in the meantime, continue to praise him, to pray unto Him, to seek Him, to study His Word and to love His presence, for He is faithful.

One other condition I want to mention is that “if ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you” (Jn. 15:7). Abiding in Christ, means living free from condemnation, knowing we are no longer bound to our sins, for Christ has freed us, he has washed us white as snow and we are now adopted into the family of God.  And therefore, we have the privilege of coming to the Father in prayer at any time with our desires, needs and wants. And with unwavering faith, God will do nothing in our favour without faith. It is right that we should have confidence in him; and if we have confidence, it is easy for him to help us, and he willingly does it. (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament) Because we understand that “…all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mk 9:23). Because “without faith it is impossible to please God for when we come to God, we must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). For God, cannot deny His word or Himself.

Chosen2Prayer

The God who sees...

“…the God who sees me, for she said “I have seen the One who sees me!” (Gen 16:13 NLT)

El-roi – The God who sees

Sometimes it’s hard to grasp the idea that God does see all things, for many times we ask the question “God don’t you see what is happening?” At these moments our state of mind is not clear and neither can it remember any scriptures.  Hagar was in a precarious situation, she was running away from Sarai her mistress, because Sarai’s actions had cause her to be jealous of her handmaiden, who now was carrying her husband’s child.

You must remember this, that God sees even our mistakes, our evil hearts, our wrong motives and even our wrong attitudes as well as our ways and actions. Even our thinking is not hidden from Him:

            “The Lord knows the thought of man…” (Ps.94:11)

You see, sometimes our actions for the better good, (our own way) of solving a problem, only causes the problem to get worse, thereby causing our decision to bite us in the end. God also sees that we are not following His instructions when things happen:

            “Casting all your care upon him…” (1Peter 5:7)

He does see that we are trying to fix something that we are not qualified to fix. Know this, there is no problem too complicated for God to fix, but you must be willing to give it to Him completely and let Him work it out.  You never know what blessings God has in store for you, until you walk-it-out, walk out the pain, walk out the disappointment, walk out the frustration, walk out the anger and walk into blessings.

Now does God see you and all that is going on? I say emphatically YES, He sees and He is ready to help you walk through.  What must we do? Take every problem, every situation, and every negative event to God in Prayer, be comforted in knowing God is in control, be faithful to God and His promises, be strong to stand upon the Word, be grateful for the love God has for you and be sure that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Prayer:

Father God, I thank you that you see and know what I am going through. Help me Lord to cast this burden upon you for you care for me. I release all my concerns, all my anxieties, all my fears and all my stresses and because you see, I can rest knowing that you are completely in control.  Thank you for your answer to my prayers and thank you for your loving care in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

Chosen2Prayer

A conversation...

Father, I need to talk with you.  My heart is very heavy and my spirit is very angry. You see, there is a demonic spirit that is going around touching the hearts and minds of those who are open to his influence. You know them Father, these are the ones that have been assign in authoritative positions. I must admit Father, that I’m finding it hard to follow what you said; “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” [Luke 6:27 NASB].

Now many lives that should still be here have gone on home to you, and there are many angry and broken families that are trying to make it day by day. Some are trying to fix a system that has been one sided for years. How can a mother’s heart not remember the day her child was placed in her arms and not ache because her child is deceased, and how can a father go day by day looking into the face of those who despise him because of the color of his skin? Knowing that his child is no more. Father, I just don’t understand please help me to do your will. I don’t want to fall into that darkness that seems to have capture so many already.

“Harken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people” (Isa. 51:4). My child, I hear your concern and your heart. “But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons” (Col.3:25).  For my Son came to save all “…they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). So “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19).  Therefore, “I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28). Finally, “therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head” (Rom. 12:20). So my child remember “let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).

Ok Father, as you will help me through this anger and hurt, I ask that you will please help all peoples to understand your love for them. I ask that you will forgive me for holding others in condemnation, cleans my heart and my mind as I place these into your hands, for you to do what you do. I now release them in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, amen.

NinaJ

Chosen4God