For the Battle is Not Yours, But God's Pt.6

FOCUS, LOVE & THE HEART

To overcome any obstacle is to have focus. We are told, “Stand your ground” (Ephesians 6:4) but it’s difficult to stand our ground in battle if we can’t hear God over the noise- external or internal.  It’s hard to stand our ground when we aren’t in the line of sight to see God.

Thank God he has given us as Christians his Spirit so when we focus on Him, we can partake in His wondrous reinforcements to inspire and encourage our soul.

“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body.  When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.”  Matthew 6:22

To live in contentment in any situation is to accept the supreme authority of God over our life… To find contentment is not dwelling on the dark side of the battlefields of life but remembering to look for the light of God’s faithfulness in the darkness.

 “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.”  Isaiah 45:3


  It’s unanticipated in the human understanding, how in the challenges and trials of the Christian life- the hidden treasures of God’s love and faithfulness are given and revealed to us in a supernatural way or manner.    Fear is whittled away; the firm grasp on this life is lessened, the burdening baggage is abandoned, and the playground swings higher and higher as we are intimately shrouded in God’s love.  We are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).

What the world considers absurdity becomes reality standing before them, as we trust God.   We may not even be aware of our testimony to world because we are so focused on God’s assuring love. What does this mean?  It will mean the crowing assurances in our selves and in this world have been shooed out of the canopy of our branches by a song, beautifully written and composed by God.   In these songs, our branches bear good fruit because of God’s assuring love.   The fruit will not be eaten or ruined by the crowing flocks but preserved and kept safe by God himself.

“For the LORD your God is living among you.  He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 


 Ever wake up singing a song or during the day a song comes to mind to remind you of God’s love?  Who do you think put that song in your head?

We all need to meditate and sing those songs in all the different circumstances that life brings.

“At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.  The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them.  After they had finished off the army of Seir, they turned on each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the outlook point in the wilderness, there were dead bodies lying on the ground for as far as they could see.  Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.  King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing and other valuables- more then they could carry.  There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!”  2 Chronicles 20:22-23


Sometimes it takes us days to see all the good things God had done for us, after the battle has been won and we are humbled by all God’s goodness.

 Ever see a little child being steadied by their parent’s hands as they begin to learn how to walk?  God, as our Heavenly Father, is also there to steady us as we walk in the uncertainty of battle.

David writes, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.”  Psalm 40:2

Do you see the little excited child in yourself, being led and held up by our Heavenly Father?

In the complexities of life we actually observe the great truth of the rod and staff of our shepherd that protects us and comforts us. (Note Psalm 23:4) They become as visible as the shadow of the tree trunks in the sun.

The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Proverbs 20:24


At times in life, we all want to know what is going to happen as we walk this path of life… and I don’t think that is bad.   We should always seek the Lord for guidance.  Conflicted or not, we should ask.   But more importantly God wants us to be abundantly aware of His watchful and provisional care of us.  He wants us to be surrendered to this empowering freeing truth as we are also surrendered to his will for our lives.

I find we as Christians know many truths in God’s word, the Bible, but they are no use to us if they are just words on the page that we have memorized and recalled having read them or hearing them many times before.   We are not to be just theologians.  The words of God are to have meaning and life in them. They are of have great value to us because God has shown them to be true and we sincerely mean them when we say and sing them back to the Lord.  The words of God are love letters to us – with so much depth we will probably not completely comprehend their entire meaning.

The words of God are to build a bond been our Heavenly Father and us as his children.    God not only gives us his word but provides proof to his word by his actions just as a father and mother are suppose to build a loving bond with their children.   But unlike our earthly parents, God knows us intimately and knows the story of our life- every detail, from beginning to beginning (from earth to heaven).

For God’s word to be active and of any powerful use to us we have to continually seek to have and live in our relationship with our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

Not a relationship with words on a page but a relationship that transcends the words on the page to a relationship with God and where the word of God comes to life.

A person is not in love with the love letters but the sweetheart who wrote the love letters.

The cry of my heart is to love God more - knowing the more I love God the more I will be able to experience the freedom of his love.  We won’t have to fear.  We won’t have to be afraid.  We won’t have to have anxiety.  We won’t feel less of a person.  We won’t have the circumstances of life manipulate and trip us up. We can be the person God wants us to be regardless of circumstances.  God can’t love you or me anymore then he loves us now it’s us that has to chose to live in his love more.

 Hillsong wrote a song years ago called “Show me your ways”.  I believe its was inspired by Psalm 25.   Here are some of the lyrics.

Show me Your ways
That I may walk with You
Show me Your ways
I put my hope in You

The cry of my heart
Is to love You more
To live with the
Touch of Your hand
Stronger each day
Show me Your ways

It is that the cry of your heart?  We all need God’s love to show us the way through this life.  We need God’s up close and personal presence, instruction and assurance in our life.   We all need to love God more so we can be stronger in his love. Jesus replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” Matthew 22:37


God’s love doesn’t take affect because in our anxious we forget God is with us. We forget God is omnipresent.  He is always present.  God is the Jello/gelatin and we are the piece of fruit in the Jello/gelatin.   Plus in the believer, the Christian, God doesn’t just surround us but is inside of us- the Holy Spirit,

 “for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Note Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:8)

That is why David wrote, “I shall not want.” in Psalm 23

That is why Jesus said, “Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Matthew 6:32

I guess the question is, are we living for ourselves or for the Father? Are we living to glorify God in our life?  Do our thoughts to our actions glorify God?

Thoughts we should be having in our heart,  “I do not need to fret about tomorrow because I know the Lord has prepared everything I need for tomorrow.  LORD thank you for preparing and providing provision for me this day and for tomorrow.  Thank you Lord that you will be with me.  Thank you Lord you will be touching and guiding me every step of the way. Thank you Lord it is not my battle, but yours.  I shall not want.”

    Thank you Lord that by thinking and meditating on these things in our hearts we may live in your love, in the moment and glorify you, in Jesus name Amen.

For the Battle is Not Yours, But God's Pt. 5

FOCUS, TRUST & STAND

^“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:13

In my Christian faith I have found that 99 percent of the battle is keeping our focus and trust in God, the other 1 percent is standing.

ARMoR of GOD

Before we tune out, thinking we have heard about the Armor of God all before, let’s take a fresh look at these scriptures.  Their purposes are to edify and encourage our focus so we don’t lose heart, become weary, anxious.   They are written for us so we don’t become overcome by what we see, experience, or get entrapped in a destructive or paralyzing thought.  And they are recorded to remind us how important it is to have a relationship with God  

We know the armor of God is NOT worn in pride and arrogance but grace and humility and all godly conviction and sincerity.   

 For the word of God says:

  “Pride goes before destruction,
    and haughtiness before a fall.”  Proverbs 16:18 (NLT)

It also says:

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:14 NKJV

No provision for doubt, fear, dread and no provision for pride and self-conceit.  Two very different faces but just as caustic.  Sometimes one even comes right after the other.   

The armor of God scriptures, as all scriptures in the bible, are to enable us to STAND in battle. 

The Armor of God is all about GOD the man/woman believes in.  IT is NOT about a level of trust one has in his or herself. 

We read: Jesus: “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. ‘But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s law.’” Matthew 7:22

We read about the seven sons of Sceva trying to cast out a demon from a man and the evil spirit residing in the man says to them, “I know Jesus and I know Paul but who are you?”  Then they are overpowered and brutally attacked by the man with the evil spirit and flee the house naked.  (Note Acts 19:13-16)

What was the state of their mind and heart?  Was it in themselves or God?

^“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”  Zechariah 4:6

The Armor of God is the Holy Spirit in control not us.  It is God in control.

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Here there is no conflict with the law.” Galatians 5:22-23

What causes a person who is persecuted, disowned, beaten, raped, tortured, and facing death to continue in the faith of Jesus Christ?  It is certainly not the will of the flesh but the Armor of God protecting the soul.

 

In the movie called “For Greater Glory” which depicts the Cristero War in Mexico in the 1920’s, were thousands were brutally killed for their faith - causing many to take up arms against their own government, a boy named Jose Sanchez Del Rio is captured, tortured and killed for his faith in Jesus Christ.  Jose could had saved his life several times by just renouncing his faith in Jesus Christ but he did not instead he is quoted as saying, “I will never give in.  Viva Cristo Rey!”  Which means “Long live Christ the King!”  To this day, in Mexico, Jose Sanchez Del Rio is known as one of the martyred in Christ.

 

Even when severely beaten and forced to walk on bleeding tortured cut open feet through the streets to his own grave, Jose did not renounce Christ but found strength in Christ instead.

 

 Strength comes when we realize we are not our own.  We are not keepers of our life.  The body is temporary the soul is forever.  God’s armor protects the soul while as it abides here on earth.  These pieces of armor that cloth the Christian soul; speak not of us, but of our God. (We are not our own.)

“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.”  Ephesians 6:14

God wants us to remember the certainty of Himself.  What are MY ATTRIBUTES God asks? God is our Father, He is our Savior, and He is our Comforter and Counselor.  He is our friend.  He is abounding in faithfulness and love for us.  He is merciful and gracious.  He is goodness without measure.  He is life, truth, and righteousness.   He saves those who cry out to Him.  He carries out justice to those who trust in him.  He is trustworthy.   He is unchanging.   He cannot lie.  These truths allow us to grow and flourish in our God.

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:15

God wants to remind us that he has given us his peace.  Jesus said he gives us his peace so our heart will not be troubled nor will it be afraid. (John 14:27)  Jesus’ peace is a lasting peace because we know to whom we belong and where our citizenship resides.   When people ask where do we get such peace we can tell them it through God and our LORD Jesus Christ.

In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Ephesians 6:16

Faith is the confidence we have in God even when we cannot see what is going to happen.  Satan and his army shoot their fiery arrows of lies and deceit hoping to burn and destroy our confidence we have in God.   A shield that stops such arrows of lies and deceit is the knowing God has made provision.  He is with us.  He already knows our needs and what is going to happen.  He is all-powerful; nothing stops the will of God and his promises in our life.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

God always want us to be mindful of our salvation.  He is the one who saved us and continues to save us.  He is with us continually.  He does not retreat nor does he leave anyone in the battlefields of life behind.  (2 Corinthians 4:9) He does not forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8).  As we turn to God, He gives us and reminds us of his words to counter the enemy’s strikes and discern truth from fiction.  None of this armor will work for us unless we have a relationship and trust in God.

Remember the Armor of God is not about us but all about HIM.  Knowing this we are able to focus, trust and stand.

For the Battle is Not Yours, But God's Pt. 4

-->

WE ARE NOT OUR OWN

In times of peace and times of battle it is profitable to remember:

 God’s liberating love,

 Relinquishing our troubles or assumptions to God

 And…

Remembering we are not our own.

This morning I started to think of two groups of people.  The first group was made up of people like Alexander the Great to King Herod to Medieval Kings to Hitler. 

The second group was made up of people of great faith in God.  They were people like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, King Jehoshaphat, David, Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Job, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Esther, Mordecai … to name a few.

The first group believed in themselves.  They believed they were in control.  They believed they didn’t have to answer to anyone.  They believed they were gods.  But still thinking these things, they felt compelled to prove and compare themselves to others.  They seemed to be at continual unrest for they had only themselves to turn to.

The second group believed in God.  They trusted in God not themselves.  They believed they were not their own.

  The ones who believed they were their own- death and evil ensued.

The ones who believed and put their trust in God not themselves – life, peace, and blessing ensued.    

We as Christians are told:

“Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,” 1 Corinthians 6:19

We are also told we are God's very own possession.

Probably the most reassuring thing to me is coming to the great and humbling reality that I am not my own.  I am God’s.  Knowing that, I can lift up my soul to God and he overshadows me.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1

“The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name.  When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue them and honor them.  I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation.’” Psalm 91:14-16

Amen…

“For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will rejoice over you with great gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.   He will exult over you by singing a happy song.” Zephaniah 3:17

Does this sound like some distant God?  Does this sound like a removed God? Does God sound like a God that doesn’t care about of his creation? Yet more amazing he claims us as his own and takes great care to show his faithfulness.

God’s love goes far beyond our understanding.  Our meaning to Him is beyond our understanding as well.

On the dawning of my faith in Jesus Christ, before the dark shroud was lifted and scales had fallen from my eyes, I saw very little value in my life and didn’t feel as if I measured up to anything worthy - all I felt was brokenness, hurt, and resentful.  I was tired and saw no real point to life so I offered my life to God knowing all his monuments of goodness and faithfulness he had built in my life.  Like a dream they stood in the barren landscape waiting for me to look back.  They were monuments; I really don’t think I even thanked him for.  I don’t even think it occurred to me that God pursued me into this barren wasteland away from more pleasant accommodations.   And not only did he take my life, a life I saw very little value in but told me he loved me despite all my failings and faults and he transformed me by giving me his Spirit (reborn).

Our value has always been in God not our self.     Our life was created by and for Him.

“But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.” 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT)

“He created everything there is.  Nothing exists that he didn’t make.  Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.  The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:3-5 (NLT)

“But although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognize him when he came.  Even his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted.  But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.  They are reborn!  This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan- this rebirth comes from God.” John 1:10-13 (NLT)

“Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth.  He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see-kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities.  Everything has been created through him and for him.  He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.”  Colossians 1:16-17 (NLT)

If a person never turns to God as their Heavenly Father they will only value themselves, based on how they see themselves and the world values them and they will act and behave accordingly to those influences.  And instead of inheriting eternal life in Heaven, made possible by Jesus Christ, they will inherit suffering and death.

 That’s why the Holy Spirit had Peter remind Christians that their value in not in what they perceive and receive from the world but in the value God’s see them in.

 “And the Scriptures also say, ‘He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that will make them fall.’  They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.” 1 Peter 2:8

People stumble because they doubt, don’t believe or chose to ignore God’s word.  They do not seek to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and all their strength nor do they seek the liberating love God has for them.  They stumble over Jesus Christ because they don’t realize they were made for Him and not realizing THIS they remain unsatisfied.  They value the world’s perception of them over what God knows of them and desires for them.  Hence making the things of this world their god instead of God himself.

Peter continues with “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people.  You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.  As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ‘Once you were not a people; now you are the people of God.  Once you received none of God’s mercy; now you have received mercy.’”  1 Peter 2:9

God continues to show me that the battles that want to entice us, bait us, entrap us, drown us, taunt us, paralyze us- are not our fights.  What we see, perceive or imagine are not our battles.  What wants to make us justify and prove ourselves to others are battles not our own.  What people think of us are battles not our own.  Even the persecution and illnesses we suffer are battles not our own.

When Jesus confronted Saul who later become known as the Apostle Paul.  Jesus did NOT say why are you persecuting my people or my brothers and sisters but said “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” Note: Acts 9:1-5 (NLT)

When battles come against you, they are coming against God himself.  As I had mentioned before: God does not need protecting from us so let Him fight the battles for you as you turn to him in prayer and trust.

Our lives, that we tend to hold so tightly to, and that we foolishly think we have some control over are not our own.  We don’t know what tomorrow brings or what will come a couple hours from now but God does.  Knowing that, I glad I am God’s. I am not my own.  My life is in his care.  No matter what happens, he will see me through it - not in some prepackage way but in HIS personal intimate LOVE.

May we live in thankfulness to God.  May we turn our eyes on Jesus and may the things of earth go strangely dim. 

The Battle is Not Yours, But God's. Pt.3

RELINQUISHING TO GOD

Jesus said this: “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:31

Ever get the feeling of not feeling totally set free?  Jesus says we are set free in Him so why this burden, why this battle?

I don't know about you but when I am burdened it usually means I have momentary forgotten about GOD'S LIBERATING LOVE  or I haven't RELINQUISHED my concerns, burdens and naggings over to the Lord.

RELINQuISHED means: to surrender, abandon, renounce, release, stop holding onto, to give up on.

The VELCRO SUIT

When we forget how BIG our GOD is it can seem like we are wearing a Velcro suit and Bothersome and all it's vexing relatives are affixing themselves to us.    And it is amazing how clever and cunning and irritating they are and can become.  They are like weeds chocking out the good godly thoughts and spreading their undermining propaganda.   They tell us this little situation and that little situation isn't a big deal- so we stuff them or ignore them but before we know it more burdens come seeding thoughts and imaginations trying to drown us like sands in an hour glass.  They spin doctor us until we feel like a cat trying to get it's bearings on a merry go around.

We all wear the Velcro suit on occasion, there are societies who walk around in Velcro suits and insist on living in them.   They do all kinds of things to cope in their Velcro living style - they live denial, they turn to substance abuse, they shut down, they become depressed, cynical, hateful, or try to lose themselves in the busyness of life.  Is that solving anything? Is that living?      
  
Jesus says: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

God tells us to relinquish the Velcro suit to Him.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.  Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.  For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your real life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”  Colossians 3:1-4

Think about it, we were not designed to carry the burdens of this life.
  

The world tells us to shoulder our load... have a "I can do it myself attitude" but Jesus says come those who are burdened and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.  I will set you free from the world’s garbage.  Come let me teach you- let me teach you how GOOD God is and how He has everything planned and prepared for those who trust Him.  Let me keep and set you free!  Let me show you what life is really about!

GIVE IT IN PRAYER.
When we TRULY give all our concerns to God in prayer we can live in the moment and we do have peace as we go about what God has planned and purposed for us to do.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

“The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures forever: forsake not the works of your own hands.”  Psalm 138:8

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

Peter writes, “Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

RELINqUISH all that bothers you....  
RELINqUISH your ways of seeing things...
RELINqUISH  your ways of trying to manage or control your life…
 SURRENDER ALL of it in prayer and trust it to Jesus.

The LORD is our ROCK/ FORTRESS

As I was rereading what I wrote the other day I was given a vision of a mighty cut stone.  The rock thundered a great rumble.  The words “rock” and “fortress” then came to mind.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

“I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:2 (NIV)

For the Battle is Not Yours, But God's Pt.2

LIBERATED In GOD’S LOVE

JESUS said “So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.” John 8:36

Remember when you were a child arriving at the ocean. Filling your senses would be the smell of salt air, the chants of seagulls, and white caped waves crashing on the mirroring sandy shores.  It intoxicated your soul like a marching drum of victory.  Anticipation flooded your blood stream with adrenaline, and once the car was parked you would rush through the station wagon door like a wild stallion unbridled and set free.  You would not stop running until your bare feet crossed that hot summer sand and your hooves reached the spilling tide where an explosion of water would ensue with your impact.  There was no aches or pains or sluggishness and certainly no…. fear.   God was giving you a taste of what it feels like to be liberated in his love.  

And he (Jesus) said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

God wants to LIBERATE us spiritually IN HIS LOVE.  

 He did that when he drew us to Himself so we might come to His Son, Jesus Christ to be saved and he continues to do so we might experience HIS love more profoundly and live our lives in that love so others might see the affects and effects of HIS LOVE in our life.

He wants to LIBERATE our ways of thinking and understanding. He wants us to know the CERTAINTY of HIS LOVE as his little children.
   

“What can we say about such wonderful things as these?  If God is for us; who can ever be against us?  Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?” Romans 8:31-32

The humble and grateful answer is yes.  

 2 Peter 1:3 “As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life.  He called us to receive his own glory and goodness!”

LIBERATED in HIS courage, grace, love, hope, strength, wisdom, ability, peace, certainty, boldness and capacity to escape the corruption and snares of this world.

IN OUR GROWING trusting loving relationship with God, we become liberated from our insecurities, doubts, fears, and selfishness - things that the enemy of our soul wants to exploit so we never live out our Godly purpose and experience our Spirit-filled potential in God’s assuring love.
 

The enemy wants to get your eyes off of God.   He wants us to question the certainty of God's love.  (Nothing has changed since the Garden of Eden.) 

Wess Stafford, President and CEO of Compassion International wrote,  "Satan messed with Eve's mind clear back in the Garden of Eden as his first tactic to separate people from their creator, and thus break God's heart.  Propaganda and mind control has long been the first wave of attack in historic warfare.  It has always proved more powerful then clubs, swords, guns, bombs, missiles or remote guided drone."  Just A Minute, page 139

Satan knows if we take our eyes off of God's love we will stop and become ensnared and enslaved by fear and uncertainty BUT if we looked as little children to the Lord- in whom our faith depends from start to finish, we can be liberated and inspired by God’s love and become the people God planned for us to become. (Note: Hebrews 12:2)

The Battle Is Not Yours, But God's. Pt.1

IS THIS NOT A PROFOUND underestimated statement? “It is all about God not me.” AS the Spirit has been leading and teaching me, I am realizing that in the battles we face – God just wants us to turn to and trust Him - nothing more and nothing less.  AND as we accept “it is all about God not us,” we are changed.  Changed into someone greater then we could ever imagine.

Turning and trusting God is like being a sponge that soaks up the goodness of God.  

In the book of Romans we read, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us- they help us learn to endure.  And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.  And this expectation will not disappoint us.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”  Romans 5:3-5
 
Some might think the Apostle Paul was out of his mind when he wrote these words but look carefully at what he is saying here.  He is saying the product of knowing GOD’S LOVE (no matter certainty or uncertainty in life) results in learning to endure, develop strength in character, strengthening our confident expectation that God will save us from the problems and trials we face.  We will overcome the problems and trails, they won't overcome us.  We overcome not because we depend on ourselves in any capacity but we are trusting and reliant on God to bring us through the storms of life.

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.  I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.  No one who trusts in the you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.  Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you." Psalm 25:1-5 

Another important fact Paul states is “knowing God’s love” isn’t just some kind of head knowledge but “this knowing God’s love” has come with battlefield experience.  He doesn’t just know it in his mind but GOD'S LOVE fills his heart.  He intimately knows GOD’S LOVE because through the trails and struggles he has faced, God has shown himself to be faithful beyond anything we might possibly imagine or comprehend.

Paul later writes, “No, despite all things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love.  Death can’t and life can’t.  The angels can’t, and the demons can’t.  Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.  Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:37-39

How true this is: I have had friends and family who have died from cancer but they did not pass from this life into the next in fear but through their experience they had come to know God’s love more intimately and they lived their last days in peace and beautiful grace.

How true this is: How we have known people who have gone through great testings and siftings and their boat did not sink, their feet did not slip, the shifting sands did not bother them because they were firmly planted on the ROCK of the ONE who SAVES them.

How true this is: How many times have I had fears of the day or worries about tomorrow (I dreaded, I doubted, I had anxiety and it was all for not) because God had already made provision for me.  He planned my day.  (Yes though we stumble, we will not fall, for the LORD holds us his hand.) Psalm 37:24

How true this is: When we feel the presence of evil we can call out to Jesus and evil flees. We can stand and endure against it because we put our trust and hope in God.

God takes great care for us.

Jesus said, “And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you?  You have so little faith!  So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.   Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things?  Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Matthew 6:30-33

Yes....IT is All About HIM, and HIS LOVE FOR US - not Us.

Finding Certainty in Uncertainty

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

You, like myself, have probably found nothing is certain in this world.   The fact of uncertainty, in any type of situation, can make one feel nauseous and uneasy. 
 

I suppose there are some who can give an arrogant nod and ignore uncertainty for a little while … but not for long.   Yes they too will have to look at uncertainty in the face and become bewildered by all its complexities, complexities that make the thoughts and imaginations of the mind restless in the solitude of a quiet hour.

Looking only at the uncertainty for its uncertainty brings anxiety, depression, fear and doubt.  It is to live constantly in valley of death.  It overloads the circuits, causing all kinds of havoc in the soul and even in those who surround that soul.

Uncertainty cannot be treated with peppering doses of self-will or self-assurances. 

 “The wise are cautious and avoid danger, fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” Proverbs 14:16

I have found self-confidence or self made assurances only leads to foolishness and turns off the power of God’s grace from working effectively in our life.  BUT there is something powerful and wonderful that happens when we humble ourselves and patiently live in God's grace and that grace girds us, directs our thought life, encourages us and builds us up in the uncertainty of life.

^{2 Corinthians 12:8} Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

I never thought this before but in a strange way, uncertainty can be an ally or a fertilizer to our christian well being and understanding BUT for it to work for our benefit we must have faith in God- our faithful and gracious heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit).

"For without faith it is impossible to please Him for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6

  

In addition to having uncertainty being necessary in the Christian’s life,  I have also found insecurity in self is a benefit because of WHOM we have to turn to and trust in.  I have to unplug all the things "I think" I know of myself and look to my Creator who created me and knows me better then I know myself. It's not the assurance and confidence in myself but in God that enables and empowers me to live as a Christian in a unchristian world full of uncertainty.

Uncertainty brings forth the buds of faith that causes a tree to flower, not when it is just easy but in those early spring days where temperatures float just above freezing and the wind blows strong.  The conditional factor of the flowers surviving and bearing satisfying fruit will be if the tree turns to and trusts in God, it’s keeper, or not.

Standing in uncertainty in a task that God has ordained and has asked of you is like standing at the foot of a large mountain and looking at the entire mountain, hesitant to take a step and overwhelmed by all that has to be accomplished.  Instead of staring at the entire mountain of uncertainty we must proceed up the mountain one step at a time with God's willing unchanging, loving faithful help.

Uncertainty allows the rubber to meet the road.  It’s forces the mechanics of our ways of control to cease and allows the Spirit of God to have control seeing it’s not in our capabilities and our abilities’ but in God doing the work in us.   It’s where we start to realize the "constant" reality that we were made for the Spirit of God to drive us not for us to drive us.  That is what we were made for and that is why we belong to God not to ourselves.

“… Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 4:11

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

^{Mathew 16:25 “}If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20

“God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.  So God has given both his promise and his oath.  These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.  Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.  This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.  It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:17-19

Just look at the figures in the bible… did they not all face some kind of uncertainty in their life?  Look at Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, David, Esther, Job, Jeremiah, Daniel, John, Peter, Paul, Luke and even our Lord Jesus Christ who faced all the same testings that uncertainty brings.
 

^{Hebrews 4:15} This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

Uncertainty brings about an understanding that God truly determines our footsteps and makes and prepares the way before us.   Uncertainty is the opportunity and place we can learn a lot about God then if we faced no uncertainty in life or ignored uncertainty all together.

David Wilkerson said, "When God calls us to any specific work, he has already made provision for everything we need to accomplish it."

“I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way.  I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them.  Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9

^{Deuteronomy 31:8} Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.   I will be found by you,"says the LORD.  Jeremiah 29:11-14 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
 

Uncertainty and walking through the fire of uncertainty and seeing how God brings us out of the events of uncertainty - bringing about a great sense of gratitude and thankfulness towards God as we become abundantly aware how much he loves and cares for us.  In fact we are greatly humbled by the reality of this fact and sometimes brought to speechless in our thankfulness towards God.  Without these experiences of uncertainty we would probably not see all that God does in all those unnerving and sometimes intimidating situations.  We would not understand what it truly means to walk by faith.

“God’s way is perfect.  All the LORD’S promises prove true.   He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.    For who is God except the LORD?  Who but our God is a solid rock?  God arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.  He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”  Psalm 18:30-33

Romans 8:29-31  ^“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. ³¹ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? ³³ Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. ³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

   

In uncertainty we learn:

1.     The certainty of God’s grace.

2.     The certainty that God is our strength.
3.   The certainty God doing a faithful work for us and in us.

4.     The certainty that God truly determines our footsteps.

5.     The certainty of how much God really loves us.