Stepping into Your New Season
Paul Dailey
"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday" (Psalm 37:5-6).
We have those times in our lives when it seems we have stepped from sure footing onto shaky ground. Looking back, we find that everything seemed so certain. But in the present we feel like someone standing on a log in the middle of a river, frantically moving our feet this way and that, with our arms outstretched and trying to keep our balance.
I'm sure that's how Peter felt when he got out of the boat. Along with the other disciples, he was in a storm, but as a fisherman, he was used to that and the boat was a place of safety for him. It was familiar and required relatively little faith to stay in the boat. Despite his fear, he could go under his own strength and do what he knew to do in order to save himself. But the minute he stepped over the side of the boat and placed his foot solidly on the top of that first wave, he was in foreign territory.
Walking on water isn't something you do halfway. In the same way, you either commit totally to the Lord, or you don't. That's where God separates the men from the boys. (No offense ladies.) However unnerving it may be to find yourself standing in the most unlikely, unpredictable circumstances as Peter did, it's really a place of surety. When you put your trust in the Lord and commit to follow Him wherever He leads, you've actually stepped out of the boat and onto the solid rock. God will never allow you to utterly fall when you are living by faith.
Verse six of Psalm 37 says, "He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light." Abraham was counted righteous because of his faith. He left his normal routine in order to follow God's voice. From that day on, his life was changed. When his enemies attacked him, they were destroyed. When people tried to curse him, God cursed them. His life was indelibly etched into the tablets of history. Isaiah 30:15 says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and confidence is your strength."
If you are facing a time of uncertainty in your life right now, I beg you to return to the Lord. Orchestrate your schedule in such a way that you can have some time alone with the Lord. Come back to that place of rest, the place where you first met Jesus. You remember it, don't you? It was there, in your “Garden of Eden”, as you walked with Jesus in the cool of the day, that you found your confidence in God. You knew in the deepest part of your soul the reason why you were created. You knew you would never be alone. You knew you could never fail. Your mind was quiet before the Lord, and He spoke without hindrance into your life.
I'm finding more every day how invaluable these regular times with Jesus really are. It's bearing fruit in every area of my life. My joy has increased, which has enabled me to more boldly share the Gospel. I'm able to see past the temporal, frustrating circumstances that I often have to deal with and into God's plan for me. My thoughts are more orderly. There is a peace in my heart that is not shaken by external things. It is wonderful. It's killing every bit of jealousy and strife in me. Worry is becoming less of an issue. Also, it is freeing me to serve others. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.
This is my prayer for you as you step into the next phase of your life, into your new season. May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). And may you also find this beautiful place of rest in the Lord.
cbn
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
A Day in the Life of an Overcomer
Missey Butler
It is the dawning of a beautiful September morning. I feel the crisp fall air as it gently nudges away the remaining days of summer. I must admit, it is a welcomed change.
I want to share with you another welcomed change. It all took place in a split second, a defining moment of clarity. It was like a misty fog that instantly evaporated into a crystal clear sky. It happened the moment I entered the realm of revelation understanding.
I looked up the word “revelation” and found it to mean the unveiling of something that before had been hidden (out of sight), or to bring into view. Another definition in Webster’s states it as “an enlightening or astonishing disclosure.”
Jesus Christ began to reveal to me a truth that the enemy of my soul had worked very hard to keep from me. He pulled back the curtains that held the secret of who I really am. He showed me that I am an overcomer.
That’s right. I am an overcomer! This is not to be confused with “I hope to be an overcomer,” “I want to be an overcomer,” or “maybe some day I will be an overcomer.” No, I am an overcomer today!
At one time I thought I had a good understanding of what that word really meant. As it turns out, that’s all I had… a good understanding. I realize now that all I did was mentally assent to the knowledge of it. What was the result? I was unable to demonstrate it in my day-to-day living. So, you might ask, what is the difference now?
I’ll tell you what the difference is. It is 6:30 a.m. Monday morning, and before my day has even begun, for the first time I can see (with eyes of faith) that I am already an overcomer in every circumstance that awaits me. I am completely victorious as I sit here sipping my coffee. I am because He Is! The strength is in the seeing!
Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word (Jeremiah 1:12, NIV).
I already have victory over every obstacle, every problem, and every situation. I have discovered a “treasure in the field,” a “priceless pearl”. I have found the redemptive truth of what Christ did for us when He uttered the words, “It is finished.” I never saw the full significance of what those three words held. I could not have imagined that what He did 2,000 years ago on the cross could directly affect how my day would go today.
The next step is where our faith must kick into gear. But first, a clarification has to be made. Faith is not a power that we exert in order to change our circumstances. It is the assurance we have inwardly even if our circumstances do not change. Living independently of our circumstances is what makes us overcomers. I think that’s worth repeating: Living independently of our circumstances is what makes us overcomers! It’s a matter of putting legs and feet to the promise that we find in Romans 4:17, which says, “Calling those things that are not, as though they were.”
In other words, if I have no money, I still believe that God is my infinite supply. If I am still sick and not healed, I can believe that God is the life of my body. If I am attacked and even defeated, I still believe that today Christ is my victory!
Christ is our all in all no matter what the outcome. We have already won by simply standing on His side.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – your faith (1 John 5: 4, NKJV).
Father, we ask that You would continue to open the eyes of our understanding by the mystery of the revelation of Your Spirit. Reveal Your Son to us afresh. God, give to us an open heaven that we may ascend to greater heights as You transform us into Your holy remnant, Your called out ones, your… overcomers.
cbn
Missey Butler
It is the dawning of a beautiful September morning. I feel the crisp fall air as it gently nudges away the remaining days of summer. I must admit, it is a welcomed change.
I want to share with you another welcomed change. It all took place in a split second, a defining moment of clarity. It was like a misty fog that instantly evaporated into a crystal clear sky. It happened the moment I entered the realm of revelation understanding.
I looked up the word “revelation” and found it to mean the unveiling of something that before had been hidden (out of sight), or to bring into view. Another definition in Webster’s states it as “an enlightening or astonishing disclosure.”
Jesus Christ began to reveal to me a truth that the enemy of my soul had worked very hard to keep from me. He pulled back the curtains that held the secret of who I really am. He showed me that I am an overcomer.
That’s right. I am an overcomer! This is not to be confused with “I hope to be an overcomer,” “I want to be an overcomer,” or “maybe some day I will be an overcomer.” No, I am an overcomer today!
At one time I thought I had a good understanding of what that word really meant. As it turns out, that’s all I had… a good understanding. I realize now that all I did was mentally assent to the knowledge of it. What was the result? I was unable to demonstrate it in my day-to-day living. So, you might ask, what is the difference now?
I’ll tell you what the difference is. It is 6:30 a.m. Monday morning, and before my day has even begun, for the first time I can see (with eyes of faith) that I am already an overcomer in every circumstance that awaits me. I am completely victorious as I sit here sipping my coffee. I am because He Is! The strength is in the seeing!
Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word (Jeremiah 1:12, NIV).
I already have victory over every obstacle, every problem, and every situation. I have discovered a “treasure in the field,” a “priceless pearl”. I have found the redemptive truth of what Christ did for us when He uttered the words, “It is finished.” I never saw the full significance of what those three words held. I could not have imagined that what He did 2,000 years ago on the cross could directly affect how my day would go today.
The next step is where our faith must kick into gear. But first, a clarification has to be made. Faith is not a power that we exert in order to change our circumstances. It is the assurance we have inwardly even if our circumstances do not change. Living independently of our circumstances is what makes us overcomers. I think that’s worth repeating: Living independently of our circumstances is what makes us overcomers! It’s a matter of putting legs and feet to the promise that we find in Romans 4:17, which says, “Calling those things that are not, as though they were.”
In other words, if I have no money, I still believe that God is my infinite supply. If I am still sick and not healed, I can believe that God is the life of my body. If I am attacked and even defeated, I still believe that today Christ is my victory!
Christ is our all in all no matter what the outcome. We have already won by simply standing on His side.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – your faith (1 John 5: 4, NKJV).
Father, we ask that You would continue to open the eyes of our understanding by the mystery of the revelation of Your Spirit. Reveal Your Son to us afresh. God, give to us an open heaven that we may ascend to greater heights as You transform us into Your holy remnant, Your called out ones, your… overcomers.
cbn
Monday, July 02, 2007
What Kind of Christian Are You?
Scott Presson
Are you a "Seeker"? Are you running hard after God? Or are you nursing a grudge? Are you holding onto past hurts, or anger and unforgiveness? How about disappointments and heartache? We tend to dress up a lot of things as Christianity when in reality it’s just us barely hanging on and doing our thing in the natural.
We call it a "walk" when really we’re sitting on a fence hoping we don’t get pulled into anymore than we can handle.
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
God is commanding us to seek Him! I like a command.
There’s no ambiguity there. God spells it out in any Bible translation the same way: seek Him. We have to be seekers in every area of our walk with God. David was a seeker and he even asked God to help him not to wander.
I have tried my best to find you – don't let me wander from your commands. (Psalms 119:10)
There are some great benefits to being a seeker, but God requires some things of us as His followers. He wants is to have clean hands and a pure heart, and not to worship idols and tell lies. If we do the right thing here’s what we get:
Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have right standing with God their savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Psalms 24:3-5)
We get the Lord’s blessing and we will be in right standing with Him. In righteous simplicity, Jesus spelled out the answer to the cry of a seekers heart.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:10)
We will receive, we will find Him and He will respond to our knock. Seeking hard after God is not an exercise in futility, it’s the will of God. It’s His command. It’s His way to bless us. It’s the way we receive righteousness more abundantly.
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)
God says NOW is the time to be a seeker after Him. God wants us to sow right standing with Him and we will reap what we all really want –the unfailing love of God! A seeker is running hard after God, and looking for Him. A seeker wants to witness. A seeker wants to pray. A seeker wants to do God’s will. A seeker is looking at every opportunity to pour out what God has given them that day. Whether it’s a song, or a word of encouragement or just a listening ear, God wants us to step in the gap for each other every day. We don’t all get "full" of God every morning but when we’re on empty, He can still use us and only He gets the glory for it!
God is not far from us. In fact the Word says, "He’s the friend that sticks closer than a brother". No matter how far you feel from God today take the chance and sow right standing with Him – He will shower you with righteousness. As, you sow an upright walk and as the Word says- we reap what we sow – so you will get more righteousness. That all leads to fulfilling your place in the Kingdom. As you fulfill your call that God has placed upon you it will help you equip others to fulfill theirs and all of the sudden the Church is doing what it’s supposed to do! You see – we actually carry part of the responsibility as Christians to fulfill God’s destiny on the earth! We don’t think we actually have a part, but we do! And it all starts with the desire to seek after God and to do His will.
Relinquish your past, drop that burden of past sins in the sea of forgetfulness and move forward into your future as a Seeker after God!
cbn
Scott Presson
Are you a "Seeker"? Are you running hard after God? Or are you nursing a grudge? Are you holding onto past hurts, or anger and unforgiveness? How about disappointments and heartache? We tend to dress up a lot of things as Christianity when in reality it’s just us barely hanging on and doing our thing in the natural.
We call it a "walk" when really we’re sitting on a fence hoping we don’t get pulled into anymore than we can handle.
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
God is commanding us to seek Him! I like a command.
There’s no ambiguity there. God spells it out in any Bible translation the same way: seek Him. We have to be seekers in every area of our walk with God. David was a seeker and he even asked God to help him not to wander.
I have tried my best to find you – don't let me wander from your commands. (Psalms 119:10)
There are some great benefits to being a seeker, but God requires some things of us as His followers. He wants is to have clean hands and a pure heart, and not to worship idols and tell lies. If we do the right thing here’s what we get:
Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have right standing with God their savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Psalms 24:3-5)
We get the Lord’s blessing and we will be in right standing with Him. In righteous simplicity, Jesus spelled out the answer to the cry of a seekers heart.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:10)
We will receive, we will find Him and He will respond to our knock. Seeking hard after God is not an exercise in futility, it’s the will of God. It’s His command. It’s His way to bless us. It’s the way we receive righteousness more abundantly.
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)
God says NOW is the time to be a seeker after Him. God wants us to sow right standing with Him and we will reap what we all really want –the unfailing love of God! A seeker is running hard after God, and looking for Him. A seeker wants to witness. A seeker wants to pray. A seeker wants to do God’s will. A seeker is looking at every opportunity to pour out what God has given them that day. Whether it’s a song, or a word of encouragement or just a listening ear, God wants us to step in the gap for each other every day. We don’t all get "full" of God every morning but when we’re on empty, He can still use us and only He gets the glory for it!
God is not far from us. In fact the Word says, "He’s the friend that sticks closer than a brother". No matter how far you feel from God today take the chance and sow right standing with Him – He will shower you with righteousness. As, you sow an upright walk and as the Word says- we reap what we sow – so you will get more righteousness. That all leads to fulfilling your place in the Kingdom. As you fulfill your call that God has placed upon you it will help you equip others to fulfill theirs and all of the sudden the Church is doing what it’s supposed to do! You see – we actually carry part of the responsibility as Christians to fulfill God’s destiny on the earth! We don’t think we actually have a part, but we do! And it all starts with the desire to seek after God and to do His will.
Relinquish your past, drop that burden of past sins in the sea of forgetfulness and move forward into your future as a Seeker after God!
cbn