Training for Reigning
Missey Butler
Remember the patriotic billboard of the elderly gentleman with the tall top hat that sternly pointed his finger and said “Uncle Sam Wants You”? In a similar fashion, God wants all of us who are called by His name to willingly surrender our lives to the advancement of His Heavenly Kingdom.
All of us have been enlisted in an intensive spiritual boot camp, if you will. As we are daily led through this course of “basic training,” we are instructed to build up our spiritual endurance and stamina. One of the ways we do that is by the various trials and testing that come our way. Every time we resist, every time we flee, every time we say “No” to ungodliness, we become stronger in Spirit.
There is one particular obstacle course that must be successfully completed in order for us to become manifested sons and daughters of God: the test of dying to one’s self. When we run this course of dying to self, and walk in complete and total union with the Lord, we then become qualified to rule and reign with our King, Jesus Christ. Here are some of the objectives:
• When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, and your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient and loving silence – then you are dying to self.
• When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any bit of solitude, any interruption of the will of God – then you are dying to self.
• When you no longer care to refer to yourself in conversation or to record your own good works, when you no longer itch after commendation, when you no longer place your satisfaction in being known – then you are dying to self.
• When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit, feeling no envy and no desire to question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstance – then you are dying to self.
• When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than you and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart – then you are dying to self.
• When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely set aside as nothing, and you personally don’t hurt from the sting of the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer with Christ – then you are dying to self.
Are you feeling like you can never successfully finish the course? You are right. YOU CANNOT! But the Christ in you can! Be encouraged, company of saints. Remember: the Kingdom of God is within you. As you allow the King of Kings to rule within your very being, He takes over where you leave off. And before you realize it, He is perfecting that which concerns you!
He leaves us with a wonderful promise in Jude 24:
To him who is able to keep you from falling and present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.
cbn
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thursday, January 03, 2008
His Truth is Marching On
Missey Butler
When a person is called upon to testify before the court, he or she is instructed to place a hand on the Bible and give an answer to the following words, “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth… so help you God? And, of course, the anticipated response is always “I do.” This is rightfully so, as a sworn oath has just been entered upon and an expected testimony of truth should be forthcoming.
Aren’t you glad that we serve a God who cannot lie? Every word that He speaks is absolute truth. In fact, when He takes an oath, He takes it unto Himself. That’s how reliable His Word is.
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself (Hebrews 6:13, NIV).
The bottom line is, GOD IS THE BOTTOM LINE. Whatever He says, you can count on Him to do it. You can take it to the bank.
There is one particular portion of Scripture that is very fitting to close out our 31 days of prayer for the reformation of the Supreme Court, and it is found in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 65, beginning at verse 16:
“Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more” (Isaiah 65:16-19, NIV).
We will continue to pray that the heart of every justice that rules within the highest court will reverently yield to the voice of the Lord. The future of our country depends upon it!
A very telling lyric from the famous "Battle Hymn of the Republic" states, “He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat.” And we believe that is exactly what is taking place even now as God searches the deep recesses of those whom He has hand-picked to serve in these positions. As the song further states, “I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamp ... Glory, glory, hallelujah!”
And that is exactly how we choose to end this season of divine intercession, with the knowledge and assurance that God has heard our petitions and is sending forth His justices. So it is with great confidence and boldness that we can proclaim that His truth is surely ‘marching on.’
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear (Isaiah 65:24, KJV).
cbn
Missey Butler
When a person is called upon to testify before the court, he or she is instructed to place a hand on the Bible and give an answer to the following words, “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth… so help you God? And, of course, the anticipated response is always “I do.” This is rightfully so, as a sworn oath has just been entered upon and an expected testimony of truth should be forthcoming.
Aren’t you glad that we serve a God who cannot lie? Every word that He speaks is absolute truth. In fact, when He takes an oath, He takes it unto Himself. That’s how reliable His Word is.
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself (Hebrews 6:13, NIV).
The bottom line is, GOD IS THE BOTTOM LINE. Whatever He says, you can count on Him to do it. You can take it to the bank.
There is one particular portion of Scripture that is very fitting to close out our 31 days of prayer for the reformation of the Supreme Court, and it is found in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 65, beginning at verse 16:
“Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more” (Isaiah 65:16-19, NIV).
We will continue to pray that the heart of every justice that rules within the highest court will reverently yield to the voice of the Lord. The future of our country depends upon it!
A very telling lyric from the famous "Battle Hymn of the Republic" states, “He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat.” And we believe that is exactly what is taking place even now as God searches the deep recesses of those whom He has hand-picked to serve in these positions. As the song further states, “I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamp ... Glory, glory, hallelujah!”
And that is exactly how we choose to end this season of divine intercession, with the knowledge and assurance that God has heard our petitions and is sending forth His justices. So it is with great confidence and boldness that we can proclaim that His truth is surely ‘marching on.’
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear (Isaiah 65:24, KJV).
cbn
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
The Runaway Bride
Jennifer E. Jones
What is so scary about getting married? So you’re committing your life to another human being -- "‘till death do us part." What in the world is so frightening about that? Is it that bad that a case of cold feet would send you running across the country just days before your wedding day?
I guess I come from a narrow perspective. I’m single and steadily approaching 30. Marriage to me is something you run toward. For many it's a goal, and with every bridal shower invitation you get, it becomes a little more important every year.
Love seems so magical: butterflies in your stomach, stars in your eyes, and warmth in your heart. It’s what little (and big) girls dream about.
So I ask again, if you’ve got such a good thing, why are trying to avoid it like a prison sentence?
I may never understand what makes a bride “ready to run”. But I can imagine that God must look at us with the same quizzical expression.
Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He’s the groom standing patiently at the altar. Whether we’ve locked ourselves in the bridal chamber, refusing to come out, or we’re halfway to Tijuana, He’s always there.
If God the Father had feet, they’d never get cold. His love for us never waivers. That’s because His commitment to us goes deeper than a marriage vow. He made a covenant with us when He sent His Son to the cross that no matter what, He’d always be there for us. In fact, He did us one better and promised that if things got really crazy, He’d come find us and bring us home. Without condemnation, He would pull us in and hold us even closer than before. On top of everything else, He promises strength for every trial (Phil. 4:13), a refuge in any storm (Psalm 91:1), and abundant life for all times (John 10:10).
So why would anyone want to give that up for life on the open road? Sounds pretty silly, doesn’t it?
We have all kinds of reasons why we run from God. A pastor let us down. The relationship we prayed for fell apart anyway. Or maybe we just got burned out from giving our all when little came in return.
When our eyes are focused on our feet, it’s hard to see what else is around us. We can look up and be far from home before we realize it. Without meaning to, we let faith become routine, and suddenly we’re a lost bride with a bus ticket to nowhere.
If you’re on the run, relax for a moment. You’ve still got your white dress and your bouquet. All you’re running from is unconditional love and a peace that passes all understanding.
So come back to the church. He’s waiting for you.
cbn
Jennifer E. Jones
What is so scary about getting married? So you’re committing your life to another human being -- "‘till death do us part." What in the world is so frightening about that? Is it that bad that a case of cold feet would send you running across the country just days before your wedding day?
I guess I come from a narrow perspective. I’m single and steadily approaching 30. Marriage to me is something you run toward. For many it's a goal, and with every bridal shower invitation you get, it becomes a little more important every year.
Love seems so magical: butterflies in your stomach, stars in your eyes, and warmth in your heart. It’s what little (and big) girls dream about.
So I ask again, if you’ve got such a good thing, why are trying to avoid it like a prison sentence?
I may never understand what makes a bride “ready to run”. But I can imagine that God must look at us with the same quizzical expression.
Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He’s the groom standing patiently at the altar. Whether we’ve locked ourselves in the bridal chamber, refusing to come out, or we’re halfway to Tijuana, He’s always there.
If God the Father had feet, they’d never get cold. His love for us never waivers. That’s because His commitment to us goes deeper than a marriage vow. He made a covenant with us when He sent His Son to the cross that no matter what, He’d always be there for us. In fact, He did us one better and promised that if things got really crazy, He’d come find us and bring us home. Without condemnation, He would pull us in and hold us even closer than before. On top of everything else, He promises strength for every trial (Phil. 4:13), a refuge in any storm (Psalm 91:1), and abundant life for all times (John 10:10).
So why would anyone want to give that up for life on the open road? Sounds pretty silly, doesn’t it?
We have all kinds of reasons why we run from God. A pastor let us down. The relationship we prayed for fell apart anyway. Or maybe we just got burned out from giving our all when little came in return.
When our eyes are focused on our feet, it’s hard to see what else is around us. We can look up and be far from home before we realize it. Without meaning to, we let faith become routine, and suddenly we’re a lost bride with a bus ticket to nowhere.
If you’re on the run, relax for a moment. You’ve still got your white dress and your bouquet. All you’re running from is unconditional love and a peace that passes all understanding.
So come back to the church. He’s waiting for you.
cbn