Real Change

There is a lot of talk these days in the media about change. People want change in their government, change in their jobs, cars, and careers. Some go as far as wanting to change spouses and sexual identity. Are we becoming a people obsessed with change?

The Japanese have a term called "Kaizen" which means, "continual improvement". It is a never ending quest to do better, and you seem to do better by changing. "Standing still", the Japanese say, "allows your competitors to get ahead you".

Real change, for the follower of Christ, is inspired and initiated by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of Truth" and will make truth known to the hearts of men and women longing for change, which will result in freedom and real lasting change, not change just for the sake of change. Repentance means to change the mind, a turning from sin to God. Let's welcome the real change in our lives through the act of repentance and the provocational power of the Holy Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit’s office, as defined by the Bible itself, is not to make known to us any truths which are not contained in the Bible; but to make clear to our understandings the truths which are contained in it that we might realize them experientially. The Word of God is called the sword of the Spirit. It is the instrument by which the Spirit worketh. and He worketh anew at all times and all places consistent with His Revelation. Thus, the Spirit is always provoking us toward change, growth, and the fulfillment of calling. Anything less and anything more is surely not of the Spirit.” ~Thomas Chalmers

The Lord is With You

"...and the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him," The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor" Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. Then the Lord turned to him and said "Go in this might of yours and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" So he said to Him, "O my Lord how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my father's house." And the Lord said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man" ~Judges 6:13-16

I slept in a little later than usual this morning and made my espresso knowing that I have a full day ahead of me. Even now, as I type this, I'm battling within my mind to succumb to the pressures and demands of the day. As I picked up my Bible for my morning devotion's, the Holy Spirit seemed to guide me to this portion of scripture.

I found my fear was not much different than Gideon's great fear. We usually fear the things we can't control so we end up paralyzed due to the circumstances we face much like Gideon.

The Angel of the Lord had already affirmed that the Lord saw him and called him a "Mighty Man of Valor". Immediately, Gideon questions the Lord's affirmation and wants to know, "If I am what you say I am, where are all the miracles?" He went on to say that the Lord had abandoned him into the hands of the Midianites.

His response is very familiar to human kind. We seem to want God to do something for us that He has already done. The Lord's response to Gideon was, "Go in this might of yours...." Basically, Gideon was abdicating his responsibility (response-ability) his ability to respond.

Abdicate means to relinquish, give up, renounce withdraw. Abdicate also means to give up your rights or authority and responsibility. Gideon was seeking to abandon his post and God was not having it. "Go in this might of yours .....have I not sent you .....surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man".

Whatever you may be facing today I encourage you to draw strength from God's Word, even if you feel weak like Gideon. God delights in our weaknesses when we give them to Him. For it is then that He can show Himself strong.

"The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor.... Go in this might of yours...have I not sent you!!

Growing Into Christ's Image

I came across this quote by J. R. Miller that impacted me and in deep way. While walking through difficult circumstances in my own life, I recognized how self-absorbed I was becoming trying to find my own way out of the pain. It seemed as if the merry-go-round ride, trying to always catch the brass ring to find happiness and success, was elusive and Utopian. The first line of this quote is a powerful statement, and drew me in to realize that life has mysteries I can't explain and that I don't have answers for. But if I settled in my mind that the purpose of God for my life on earth is to grow into Christ's image, I can learn to be content in whatever circumstance I'm in, knowing that the image of Christ is being formed in me for His Glory.

My prayers is that you will have a settling in your own mind that the purpose of God is being worked out in the midst of the mysteries and the mess of life. "For whom He foreknew, He predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29

“We should get it settled in our minds, that the purpose of God for our life on earth, is to have us grow into Christ's image. We are not in this world merely to accomplish a certain amount of work--but to be fashioned into strength and beauty of character. If we would always remember this, we would not be perplexed so often by the mysteries of our lives. If joy is ours--it is to make us better and a greater blessing to others. If sorrow is ours--it is to purify us and bring out some line of Christ's image in us more clearly. If our hopes are disappointed--it is because God has some better things for us, than that which we so earnestly desired. If we are called to endure pain--it is because the best in us can be called out only by pain. If bereavement comes and we are left without the strong human arm we have leaned upon heretofore--it is because there are elements of strength in our life, which never could be developed unless the human supports were taken away. If our burdens are heavy--it is because we grow best under burdens. If we are wronged by others--it is to teach us better, the great lessons of patience and sweet temper. If our circumstances are uncongenial and our condition hard--it is that we may be disciplined into self-control, and may learn to be content in whatever state we are in. The Master is always teaching us new lessons, making us into the beauty of the pattern He has set for us, and preparing us for greater usefulness and better service.” ~J.R. Miller

Missed Opportunities

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." --Thomas A. Edison

A Word For Those Asking "WHO"?

" (You shall be) satisfied with favor, and full with the blessing of the Lord"

Deuteronomy 33:23

"The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety, and the Lord shall cover him all day long..."

Deuteronomy 33:12

With your eyes,

you will see Me make a distinction

between the believer and the unbeliever.

You will see believers bathed in light.

You will see unbelievers surrounded by a pallor of gloom, with a oppressive cloud over their minds.

My beloved

will dwell in safety.

You will see Me hiding, covering and protecting My

own. Have I not said that even in your dwelling

place I would give protection? Have I not said that

My name is a strong tower into which the righteous

run for safety?

Therefore

you shall know that I make a distinction between

those who are serving Me in love and devotion, and

those who are rebelling against Me in resistance

and unbelief.

Those who know Me

will be strong,

doing great exploits,

With your eyes,

you will see Me

making a distinction

between the believer

and the unbeliever.

Your won soul within you will tell you that those

who follow Me do not stumble in darkness, but

walk in light.

You will see Me protecting the believer. The disasters, the calamities, the destruction's and distresses of life will not shake My beloved ones--for they have a secret not known to the world.

My beloved ones are hidden

in the palm of My hand.

I keep them safe.

"...there is a reward for the righteous..."

Psalms 58:11

Taken from He Spoke and I was Strengthened by Dick Mills

For Those Asking "When"?

"...I the Lord will hasten it in its time"

Isaiah 60:22

I have a time

in which I will manifest My power,

in which I will show forth My energy,

in which I will allow My purposes to be fulfilled.

You have become impatient.

You have become over-anxious.

You have tried to speed up the process.

But

My thoughts are not your thoughts.

My ways are not your ways.

I know what is best for you.

I would have you surrender yourself to My will. My

way is best. My way is perfect There are no flaws

or defects in My dealings. I shall hasten it in My

time. When I arise, the work of the enemy will be

scattered. I will do a quick work in the earth.

Know this:

You need not be anxious.

You need not fret.

You need not worry.

I will soon intervene.

I will stand between you and the power of the enemy.

The wicked shall flee when no one is pursuing.

But the righteous shall be bold as lions.

In that day, you will say,

"Truly, the Lord does all things well.

This is His day. This is His time"

You will rejoice

that you have waited for Me.

You shall see My great deliverance.

I will hasten it in My time.

My time is the perfect time.

It shall sere My purposes.

You will be joyful in it.

"... I will hasten my word to perform it"

Jeremiah 1:12

Taken from He Spoke and I was Strengthened by Dick Mills

A Word For Those Asking "How" ?

"Not by might, nor by power, 

but by my spirit, saith the Lord

of hosts.''  Zechariah 4:6

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by My Spirit,

saith the Lord.

This is how you shall go forth.

This is how you will win your victory.

You have leaned

upon your own understanding. But your own understanding has failed you. Therefore, I will give you the Spirit of understanding.

You have run

in your own strength. But your strength has drained away. There, I will strengthen your spiritual man.

You have applied

your own wisdom. But your wisdom has not been sufficient. Therefore, My Spirit of wisdom shall rest upon you.

You have spoken

your own words. But your words met with strong resistance. Therefore, My Spirit shall rest upon you, and you will speak the words I give you. 

You will then be irresistible.

Therefore, know this--

that in all you set your hand to do, My Spirit will

empower you--and My Spirit will prevail against

the power of the enemy.

My Spirit will work a miracle for you,

and glory and honor will come to Me.

Look not to your own weakness.

Look not to your own inabilities.

Look not to your lack of education. 

Look not to your lack of resources.

Understand this:

My power is made perfect in human weakness. In 

your weakness, you will be made strong in Me 

and in the power of  My might. Whatever is done

will be accomplished by the power of My Spirit in you.

You will see tremendous victory

wrought by My hand.

"Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered"  Psalms 68:1 

Taken from  He Spoke and I was Strengthened  by Dick Mills