IT IS FINISHED

"For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world."

Hebrews 4:3 (KJV)

 

Christianity starts from heaven and stretches to the earth. You must first see yourself as heaven sees you. You must believe this view and receive it. Then you will be empowered to do heaven's work on earth (Philippians 2:12-13). It is a working from the inside out (Colossians 3:1-4). First you sit in heaven and then you stand in the power of that revelation and walk in dominion. You are not trying to do something to be accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6, John 1:12). When you first receive Him, you receive the power to become the son of God (Genesis 1:26-28).

 

You must first receive His image in order to function in His likeness. If you had to do something to be accepted you would spend a lifetime trying to accomplish one task. And still you would not be accepted; 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares that if anyone be in Christ (not "please the Lord" or "keep the commandments"), he is a new creation. In addition, 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that He became sin for us. Do you think He did that so you might do something? Keep the laws? No, it was so that you might become the righteousness of God in Christ. He became what we were so that we might become who He is.

 

In Christianity you begin at the finishing point. You must see your finishing line and accept it as the truth. Then you will be empowered to move towards it. You must become before you are empowered to do. When you see yourself as a finished product you will see all that God has already completed, and as a result, you will see all that you are supernaturally empowered to do (2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:16, John 16:13, Genesis 1:26). You are made in God's image and likeness. Genesis 1:28 confirms that you are blessed, so you can produce.

 

We have slowed down God's movement by making the starting point the end. Start your walk with God from the end product. Take ownership of the finished work He has made available to you. He finished it. There is nothing for you to add; all you need to do is simply accept it and walk in it. Then you will reign with Him.

 

Further Reading: Hebrews 4:1-11

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE, NOR FORSAKE YOU

''When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.''

Isaiah 41:17 (KJV)

           

On this beautiful day, I encourage you to take the limits off God and believe Him for the impossible. Today, everywhere you turn, there is one form of crisis or the other and the hearts of men are failing them. The rate of compromise is high and people are daily devising all manner of strategies just to get by. For you as a believer, there is no need to run from pillar to post because you have a sure word of assurance from the God of Israel that He will not leave nor forsake you. He boldly declared that He would make a way for you, where there seems to be no way. This should put your heart at rest knowing that head or tail, you win.

           

God's word has declared that your wilderness shall be turned into a pool of water. So stop fretting! When you catch this revelation, you don't panic nor seek for alternatives. You don't even attempt to cut corners, because you have a knowing that He did not call you to a life of shame and embarrassment.

           

Today, we live in a world of unprecedented compromise in almost every sector of our society, but child of God, you can choose to be different. Refuse to join the world in doing their thing. When people are changing figures and doing all manner of evil, take a quality decision that you will not be like them, because you know your God can take care of you. They may call you names, for refusing to play along, but it really doesn't matter. You have a responsibility to lead the way for others to follow. Stay on the Lord's side and you will see Him come through for you no matter how long it takes to wait.

           

Child of God, I challenge you to hang in there. Wait on the Lord. Wait for His timing. He is not slow concerning His promises. Let Him lead you every step of the way and it shall be well with you. You will not be stranded. I bless you.

           

Further reading: Isaiah 41:17-18; 49:15-16, Ecclesiastics 11:3

FROM PRISON TO PALACE

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivered him from them all."

Psalm 34:19 (KJV)

           

Many are the afflictions, but you are delivered from them all. In other words, no matter how many the attacks are in your office, business, finances, marriage, health or school, you are assured that it will turn out for your good. You are coming out in Jesus name.

           

Men may have ridden on you. You may have gone through fire and flood but at the end God will bring you into a wealthy and well-watered place. We are told in scriptures that Joseph was thrown into jail for an offence he did not commit. He refused to weep or lament but simply endured the pain and shame of prison life for many years until God brought him out. Do you remember that the man whose dream he interpreted in prison also forgot all about him? He didn't throw in the towel because of that, like some of us would have done. He was not even angry with the man but kept trusting God until the set time when Pharaoh ordered that he be brought out of prison. He went to jail as a slave, but he came out prepared for the Palace.

           

Just imagine what could have happened if he had refused to endure what he went through. Yes, maybe after an investigation, Potiphar his master may have discovered he never committed the crime he was accused of. But he would have certainly missed the palace. That will not be your portion in Jesus name. As you patiently await God to bring you out of that situation, ensure you stay in the word and in fellowship with God and the brethren. Give of your time, talent and ability to the advancement of the gospel and grow the kingdom agenda.

           

As you continue to stand in faith trusting the Lord for that supernatural intervention, He will arise on your behalf. He will show you a token for good and fill your mouth with testimonies. I declare that the lines will fall for you in pleasant places. Your ground will continually produce and for your shame my God will give you double.

           

Further reading: Psalm 66:12, Genesis 39:11-20; 40:14-41

ENDURE TO THE END

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God".

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)

           

While it is true that the devil wants you discouraged, humiliated, and frustrated by the things he brings your way almost on a daily basis, I come to encourage you to hang in there no matter what because you will certainly reap at the end if you faint not. Jesus, our perfect example, gave us a template on how to cope with contrary situations by enduring the cross. The cross was not palatable, yet He went through the harrowing experience. He endured the pain, the mocking and the scourging. He refused to throw in the towel so that mankind could be saved and reconciled back to the Father through His death, burial and resurrection. He passed the endurance test without complaining. He endured till the end.

           

The word 'endure' simply means to experience and deal with something that is painful or unpleasant, without complaining. Endurance is a vital virtue for victory. It is dealing with an unpleasant situation. The question is why is God calling us to endure? The truth is that He knows there will be tendencies for us to quit at the slightest opportunity. That is why most of us quit so soon today. We quit jobs, relationships, ministry, marriage and we even quit church too soon. The Lord is looking for those who will endure because there are benefits at the end.

           

How did Jesus endure? We are told in the scriptures that Jesus for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. In other words, He kept His eyes on the goal. He refused to look at the pain; He stayed focussed. I challenge you to keep your eyes on the joy that is set before you and hang in there because you will surely come out of it.

           

Further reading: Mark 13:13, 2 Timothy 2:3, Psalms 30:5; 34:19

Steve

BELIEVING WITHOUT SEEING

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed".

John: 20:29 (KJV)

 

Today, I see a clientele of believers who want to see the word work before they believe. This trend is dangerous because what marks you out as a believer is that you believe without seeing. The believer is not moved by sight or feelings but rather, by what God said in His word. If He has said it, then that settles it. Don't begin to factor in your number six. Allow God to honour His word in your life. Your feelings have nothing to do with what God wants to do in your life. Don't give room to the lies of the devil, rather take time to remind yourself of the promises that God has made to you and see them come to pass in your mind's eye. Always understand that delay is not denial. The fact that it has not happened yet does not mean it will not come to pass. Hang in there and hold on to the word.

 

Another thing that can help your faith is to listen to other people's testimonies. When people share their testimonies about what God has done, listen and assure yourself that you will be the next in line for a miracle. The reason why it is necessary to share testimonies is to glorify God and to strengthen others faith that the word of God works. In addition, you are further assured that what God did for one person, He can and will do for another. Don't listen to the lie of the devil that you will not testify. You will surely testify. The Lord will surely visit you and fill your mouth with testimonies. Hold on continuously to the word of God because it has no margin for failure. You can stake your life on it.

           

It is also important that you learn to store up the word of God in your heart because that is what comes handy in the hour of need. Learn to discover the word for yourself because there is a word for every situation you are passing through. Find out what God is saying to you. That word is more potent than anything you can see. Remember that the warfare we are in is a battle of words: so never allow the devil have the last word in your situation. If he speaks concerning any area of your life, simply declare the word of God to him. Let me remind you that the only thing you are permitted to be gluttonous about is the word of God. Read the word, meditate on it, speak it to yourself and be all that God has ordained you to be. I will hear your testimony.

           

Further reading: John 20:24-30, 2 Corinthians 5:7