Finishing Strong

I have finished my course

2 Timothy 4:7

To finish strong, you must understand three things. First, that people will leave you. It may be because you've outgrown them, or to fulfil their own vision, or because they don't want to go where God's taking you. People left Jesus: '...many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more' (John 6:66 NKJV). Second, that challenges will come. Everybody God uses moves from one challenge to the next. Paul writes, '...People are watching us as we stay at our post ... when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honoured; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognised by God; terrifically alive, though rumoured to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all!' (2 Corinthians 6:4-10 TM). 

Finally, that satan will attack you. When he does, remember, attack is a sign of respect. It lets you know you're valuable to God. It also indicates the level of blessing that awaits you beyond the attack. Satan will attack when God is about to bring something to birth in your life. It may be the birth of a relationship, a career, a ministry, or even a child God will use. Your 'difficult child' may be a child of destiny; that's why they encounter more difficulties than your other children. They have an assignment the enemy has discerned. When the attack comes, stand on God's Word and say, 'Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ' (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV).

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Life Stabilisers

...like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm 

James 1:6

Are you winning or losing most of your spiritual battles? Are you down more than up? Do you feel frustrated? Are you going in circles? Is your experience full of stops and starts, a constant guilt-failure cycle? That's not God's plan for you. You can live a stable, consistent life! But it will require life stabilisers such as decisiveness. Israel wanted to have it both ways: God's blessing, yet the right to disregard His Word; freedom to live like heathen nations, yet be His special people. But Joshua declared it unacceptable. '...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...' (Joshua 24:15 NIV). 

The church at Laodicea also wanted it both ways, but God pressed them: '...You are... neither cold nor hot... make up your minds...' (Revelation 3:16,19 CEV). God requires a direction chosen, a goal set, and a mind made up. Wavering classifies you as double-minded and guarantees you will '...[not] receive anything from the Lord...' (James 1:6-8 NIV). To live a stable life, you need faith. You are called a 'believer' because faith must characterise not just some, but every area of your life. 'Without faith it is impossible...' (not unlikely, improbable, difficult) 'to please God...' (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). Faith is not what you study on Sunday morning, it's what you do 24/7! The Bible says, 'My righteous [ones] will live by faith.' You say, 'Where do I get faith?' By meditating on, and living in God's Word (Romans 10:17). Who possesses faith? The spiritually exceptional? No, '...God has dealt to each one a measure of faith' (Romans 12:3 NKJV). That includes you! Faith, not feelings or circumstances, is what makes your life stable!

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Spirit Break Out - Worship Central

Tim Hughes writes, "Our vision is to see the name of Jesus lifted high all around the world, from the churches to the charts, from the streets to the stadium. It's all about Jesus."

Worship Central exists to train and equip churches in worship all around the world. Al Gordon writes, "Our vision is to encounter God, equip the worshipper and empower the local church so that we'd see a worship explosion in our culture."

Forgiveness

But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins

Matthew 6:15

Last week I was talking about forgiveness with some friends and mentioned how helpful I had found RT Kendall's book, Total Forgiveness. This is something RT has preached on for many years, using the illustration from Joseph's life. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers but was able to come to the point where he said, "God meant it for good". Most of us may not have such awful things to forgive, but harbouring grudges and witholding forgiveness for smaller offences is just as important to God and if we don't work towards forgiveness in every area in our lives then our relationship with Him will be greatly spoiled. 

RT Kendall gives some important pointers in his wonderful book:

• Make the deliberate and irrevocable choice not to tell anybody what they did. (This of course excepts the need to tell someone in the case of something serious or when we need to talk to someone for our own need for healing).
• Be pleasant to them should you be around them.
• If conversation ensues, say that which would set them free from guilt.
• Let them feel good about themselves.
• Protect them from their greatest fear (this may be the revelation of what they did).
• Keep it up today, tomorrow, this year and next.
• Pray for them.

There is much to said and discussed here of course, and it is no easy thing, but the words of Jesus are clear and stark. I for one do not wish to stand before him unable to receive His forgiveness because I have refused to forgive someone else, and I pray for grace and revelation where I need it. Let's humbly ask the Spirit to reveal our hearts to us, and when He shows us someone or a situation that needs attention, also the grace to accept the truth and set them free as He enables us. 

Corrie Ten Boom always emphasised the truth that we cannot forgive alone. It is His forgiveness flowing through us that enables us to achieve it.  She proved in her life that when we are willing and obedient, then He will provide the means and the power.

Listen to RT Kendall's talk

Skywatch #130

Red Arrows, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

This was created by the Red Arrows at the Bournemouth Air Show last month. Tragically, a few hours after the show one of the planes crashed and the pilot was killed. It will be a day I will always remember.

What If?

Closing The Door The Right Way

Image by Tawheed Manzoor via Flickr

To everything there is a season

Ecclesiastes 3:1

In life, relationships come to an end. How you handle such moments can influence and shape your future. You can't enter the next season of your life properly if you don't exit this one properly. So, try to close the door with grace - you may need to walk back through it some day. Close the door with forgiveness. Resentment will poison your attitude and your memories and destroy you from within. Leave the judging to God; He knows both sides. Close the door with your promises fulfilled. At great personal cost, Jephthah said, '...I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break' (Judges 11:35 NIV). Your character is on the line here; whatever the price tag, keep your word, because God is listening when you give it! 

Try to close the door with courage. It's not easy to face tomorrow when you feel alone, but remember, you are not alone. Jesus said, '...I am with you always, even unto the end of the world' (Matthew 28:20). Close the door in God's timing. Grieve your losses, but don't get stuck in the past. King Saul represented the past but David represented the future. When God rejected Saul because he had displeased Him, God said to the prophet Samuel, '..."How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him... go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king from among his sons"' (1 Samuel 16:1 NKJV). Endings bring new beginnings. It's all right to acknowledge the past and learn from it, but when God shuts the door it's time to move into the future He's prepared for you.
 

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

A Call To Anguish - David Wilkerson