Friday, January 10, 2014

Seeing through the storm – by Shana Schutte, Blueprint For Life


 

Most days in Southern Colorado are sunny, “roll-the-top-down-and-let-the-wind-blow-in-your-hair” days. Contrary to popular opinion, life along the front range of the Rockies isn’t all blizzards and snow flurries.

On sunny days, navigating along a curvy mountain road is no problem. The sky is blue, the road is clear, and the view ahead is unobstructed. But there are days when snow creates a whiteout and you have no idea if you are driving on the right side of the road and you might even wonder if you are going in the right direction.

Pursuing God’s purposes for one’s life can be like Colorado weather. I’ve had my share of “roll-the-top-down” days (mostly seasons), when moving in God’s calling seemed crystal clear. I had confidence about my direction.

And then I have had the opposite.

During these times, I have experienced decreased visibility which equaled doubts about the future. The calling I thought I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt came into question. God, am I still going the right direction? Lord, is this still your purpose for me? The road no longer seemed clear.

The great news is that during these days—or even seasons—of decreased visibility, we can still live in confidence because faith looks through what is seen in the natural (and even “through” what we feel) to see what is invisible with our spiritual eyes—specifically to Who is invisible.

Scripture says that Moses had confidence, that he persevered because he saw “him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). True, Moses literally saw God in the form of a burning bush. But he also saw God with the “eyes of his heart” or his spiritual eyes described by Paul in Ephesians 1:18.

We also have “eyes of the heart” with which we can see Him who is invisible too. When we “see” with eyes of faith, when we lean on Him for direction, even though the future is unclear, we recognize that it is never unclear to Him. This is what gives us confidence when the road of life is uncertain. It’s at these times that focusing less on what we do and more on Who we know is of utmost importance. We steady ourselves with the confident hope that we have a God who loves us and wants us to get where we need to go more than we want to get there.

PRAY BELIEVING

 “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church”Acts12:5 wp.me/p29yfQ-BN #pray

Thursday, January 9, 2014

GOD WON'T FORGET ME

“... I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands....”Is49:15-16 wp.me/p29yfQ-BI

OUR DYNAMIC POWER SOURCE

Ephesians 1:19  
...the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might...


In Ephesians 1:19-21, Paul gives us a peek at the dynamic source of our authority in Christ. He explains that the authority at our disposal flows from the reservoir of power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him at the Father's right hand. That power source is so dynamic that Paul used four different Greek words in verse 19 to describe it: power (dunameos), working (energeian), strength (kratous), and might (ischuos) . Behind the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ lies the mightiest work of power recorded in the Word of God. And the same power which raised Christ from the dead and defeated Satan is the power available to us to overcome the works of Satan in our daily lives.

Paul opens our eyes to the expansive scope of Christ's authority which is "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come" (Ephesians 1:21). Think about the most powerful and influential political or military leaders in the world. Imagine the most feared terrorists, crime kingpins and drug barons. Think about Satan and all the power of darkness marshaled under his command. Jesus' authority is not only above all these human and spiritual authorities past, present and future, but He is far above them. We share the same position because we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies, which enable us to live in freedom and victory over demonic intrusion and influence.

Don't be deceived. You are not under Satan's power or subject to his authority. You are in Christ above all demonic rule, authority and power.

Prayer: Reigning with You, Lord - what a liberating thought! I praise You today for the power You share with me.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Greater Vision in Concert Feb. 28th


NO REARVIEW MIRRORS

NO REARVIEW MIRRORS: “But [Lot’s] wife looked back from behind him, & she became a pillar of salt.” Gen19:26 wp.me/p29yfQ-BE #focus

The Greatest Joy


The Greatest Joy


How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never-ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and when we are not praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter--"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but" 1--what? "But go and pray for yourself"?

That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does He say, "But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That would be a great blessing. No, it is, "But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail." 2

We little know what we owe to our Savior's prayers. When we reach the hilltops of heaven and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God has led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief that Satan was doing upon earth.

How we shall thank Him because He never held His peace but day and night pointed to the wounds upon His hands and carried our names upon His breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice. Consider, He does not say, "Satan hath desired to have you." He checks Satan even in his very desire and nips it in the bud. He does not say, "But I have desired to pray for you." No, but "I have prayed for you--I have done it already; I have gone to court and entered a counterplea even before an accusation is made." O Jesus, what a comfort it is that You have pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; You have unmasked their ambushes. Here is a matter for joy, gratitude, hope, and confidence.

 

From Morning & Evening revised and edited by Alistair Begg copyright © 2003. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.

 

Sid Stewart

Executive Director

864 226-6193


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