Posts Tagged ‘God’s Plan’

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THE LAMB SHALL CONQUER

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

Day 211

“These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall conquer them”
Revelation 17:14

Christ is the Conqueror. He has conquered, is conquering, and will conquer. The Lord permitted John to look into the heavenlies and see the unfolding of the glorious Divine plan by the Father through the Son. He wept when he saw the scroll sealed, but then was told the Lamb was worthy to open the seals. It was proclaimed that, “He has conquered, namely, the Lion, the one of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David” [5:5].

Christ has conquered through His life, death, and resurrection, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. It is here in this place that John sees Him in all His glory. Our Lord Jesus Christ is also conquering now. He is going forward with the kingdom of God here on earth and His universal Kingship. He is the Rider on the white horse [6:2] holding a bow, given a crown, and riding conquering and to conquer. Yes, He has conquered [5:5], is conquering [6:2], and will conquer [17:14]. He is the Word of God, Faithful and True [19:11-13].

But, listen O Christian: “. . . and they also shall conquer that are with Him, called and chosen and faithful” [17:14]. Who is they? It is us, His chosen ones. Hebrews says, “In putting everything under Him, God left nothing that is not subject to Him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him.” It seems that the forces of darkness, the spirit of the antichrist, grows more and more everyday. It even looks like these forces have gained the upper hand. But, it is not so. We have been given the great privilege of participating in conquering with Christ. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” [1 Peter 2:9]. How great a God, how glorious, that He permits us to share in His nature and in His victory!

“You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” Revelation 5:9-10

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THE THRONE

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Day 206

“And there before me was a throne in heaven
with someone sitting on it”
Revelation 4:2

The Apostle John was permitted to look into heaven. There was a door standing open and he heard Christ say, “Come up here.” The Lord speaks; “I will show you what must take place after this.” What does John see?

He saw the Throne with One sitting on it. The Throne is the center of all things and Christ ascended to sit at the right hand of God. He entered heaven in exaltation and took His seat by His Father, and now John was permitted to see this. It is from here that everything may be understood. It is here where God governs. The Throne is the Holy of Holies. Where once there was a Tabernacle in the Wilderness for God to dwell with His people, as a representation of what was in heaven, now there is access to God Himself. Everything led to the Holy of Holies and the Mercy Seat, and now John saw it.

Why did the Lord permit John to see the Throne and record minute details? It was His love being demonstrated towards us who are His children. He opened the door to heaven so we could see the Throne and know what must take place. And this is a great comfort to us for we gain understanding to God’s Divine plan and see the outcome of it. It permits us to have an assurance and knowledge that God has dominion over ALL things, for He created them. It means that every minute detail of our life is in His hands.

“Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool;
He is holy” Psalm 99:5

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AN OPEN DOOR IN HEAVEN

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Day 205

“And there before me was a door standing open in heaven”
Revelation 4:1

After His resurrection Christ showed Himself to the disciples over a period of forty days. At the end of that period they began to ask Him about the times and dates of restoring the kingdom to Israel. They still had their eyes on an earthly reign. Jesus told them they were to wait for the Holy Spirit, who was to baptize and give them power. He would empower them to be witnesses, testifying of Jesus. After He told them this, He was taken up before their very eyes ascending into heaven.

The cross and resurrection were not the end of His ministry, but the beginning leading to His exaltation and reign under which those who believe are reconciled to the Father. A short time later He opened a door in heaven for us to see the continuation of His ministry. He permitted us to see the present and future and gave us assurance of the divine plan. Many find the Book of Revelation hard to understand or confusing; it really is the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is His letter of love showing us the completion of His work.

And what does the door open to? The Psalmist declared it centuries before: “The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; He sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake” [Psalm 99:1]. There is only one thing to see through that door; the Throne. “He sits enthroned…” This Throne is at the center of the universe, for He created all things. It is our assurance of victory and completion in Him.

And the Baptism with the Holy Spirit empowers us to be a light, light-bearers, that shine on everyone in the house (Matthew 5:14).

“Great is the Lord in Zion [the church]; He is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name—He is holy” Psalm 99:2-3

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OUR GUIDE

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Day 199

“…in Him we live, and move, and have our being”
Acts 17:28

We all agree that God has a plan. But, most of us wrestle with knowing God’s will. From that point on it gets more difficult. Some believe that you must know each point of that plan so you will not miss the mark. And to “miss the mark” is to be out of the will of God. It seems to suggest that God creates a robot state of life for His children.

What kind of a Father would He be if we had to precisely fulfill every minute detail of a plan to be in His will? This is a gross misunderstanding of our Father and His purpose for us. He leads, we follow. This is how easy it is. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). By focusing on Him is how we walk in His will. Everything else will take care of itself. It is why Christ and the Apostles were able to say “do not worry”, “do not be anxious.” We have a good Father who leads us each day of our lives and we know His voice.

God guides His own. “When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice” (John 10:4). This refers to several flocks of sheep kept together at night, but in the morning each shepherd would lead out his own sheep. His own sheep, and they alone, would respond to his call. He then goes ahead of them and the sheep follow. He leads. He does not drive. For He is our Father and within His plan there is freedom.

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

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HIS INTENTIONS

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Day 183

“I know the plans I have for you . . .
to give you a future and a hope”
Jeremiah 29:11

The Amplified Bible opens this verse up even more; “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. It cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it – a hope that reaches further and enters into the very certainty of the Presence within the veil.

You can get a glimpse of the thoughts your Father thinks about you from Isaiah 30:18. The children of Israel were rebellious children, faithless, and yet Isaiah records,-”the Lord earnestly waits – expectant, looking and longing to be gracious to you and therefore He lifts Himself up that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you; for the Lord is a God of justice.”

He has an expected end to give you. His intentions and plans for you are freedom, peace and rest in Him. Imagine – He has it already for us to appropriate in our lives. It is our full provision that keeps us secure in our walk. And God’s greatest gift to us is Christ in us, the hope of our glory. What are you expecting?

“Blessed are those who wait (who expect, look and long)
for Him to help them (for His victory, His favor,
His love, His peace, His joy and His matchless
unbroken companionship)” Isaiah 30:18

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DIVINE SCHEME

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Day 177

“My thoughts are completely different from yours,
My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine”
Isaiah 55:8

We like to have everything tied up neatly. Our doctrine, beliefs, liturgy, time, etc. Most of all, we like our understanding of God all wrapped up and packaged so as not to disturb us. Peter, James and John ran into this problem. He was transfigured before them by His face shining and His clothes becoming white as light. Then Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus.

Peter immediately spoke to Jesus about putting up three tabernacles (shrines), one for each of them. Here they were witnessing a miraculous manifestation of Christ and the heavenlies and Peter wanted to capture it. But, God had another plan – and His voice came out of the cloud surrounding them saying, “This is My son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” They were scared and fell facedown, but tender Jesus came to them saying, “Get up, don’t be afraid.”

Isn’t this the way we are? We like everything packaged, but God will always break out and move in a way we don’t think or know about. Why, He even reaches right down into our wicked, sinful lives and takes us unworthy people and suddenly sets us free! He comes suddenly and unexpected. He overcomes us with His love. He delivers us. Who is this God? He is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world that pursues us with love.

“God will rejoice over you”
Isaiah 62:5

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HIS MIGHTY POWER

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Day 172

“Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power”
Ephesians 6:10

There is a very strong self-sufficiency in our nature. We believe there is strength and power to accomplish what we want. That self-sufficient sense of strength and power also leads us to believe we don’t need help. Here is the truth and reality about our life; we have no strength or power of our own. The end result often is failure.

So, where do we get true strength and power? Paul prayed that God give us the Spirit that we might know the greatness of His power which He displayed when He raised Christ from the dead [Ephesians 1:17-20]. This is the reality; that same power that raised Christ from the dead works in us! Yes – resurrection power! Sadly, many Christians do not believe it and don’t experience it. They focus on themselves and their problems. Christ said the flesh sees flesh meaning when you look at your self that’s all you will see. You will not see Christ.

Our Father has sealed our salvation by His Holy Spirit. With that seal He has given us everything pertaining to life, empowering us (strength and power). There can be no failure in Jesus Christ if you live in him, by Him and through Him. He has even given us His resurrection power to overcome the world, the devil, our own flesh and the trials and tribulations of life. What a great God that goes so far to give us HIS strength to live by!

“Now glory to God! By His mighty power, at work within us,
He is able to accomplish infinitely more than
we would ever dare to ask or hope”
Ephesians 3:20

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BUT GOD . . .

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Day 147

“My flesh and my heart faileth”
Psalm 73:26

Two of the most important words in the scriptures are “But God …” These two words make all the difference to us. The word ‘but’ immediately tells us that what follows will make a difference, It qualifies, alters or cancels what previously was stated. Consider how important these two words are, “But God . . .” in your life:

“In former times all of us followed the ways of the world and we fulfilled the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others;

BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy . . . hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace are ye saved)” [Ephesians 2:3-5].

Yes, we were lost and hopeless, BUT God saved us by His grace. And even as Christians, God knows our limit of endurance:

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man;

BUT GOD is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” [1 Corinthians 10:13].

And when our flesh and heart fails us, He is our strength:

“My flesh and my heart faileth;

BUT GOD is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever” [Psalm 73:26].

Remember these words when you encounter the trials of life and think everything is lost – BUT GOD – will change everything, for He is faithful to His children.

“He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant
of love to a thousand generations of those
who love Him and keep His commands”
Deuteronomy 7:9

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TODAY IS THE DAY

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Day 145

“This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

There is a Latin phrase that says ‘Carpe Diem,’ meaning ‘seize the day.’ It was made very popular some years ago when a movie appeared called The Dead Poet’s Society. The phrase actually has significance to us as Christians. The entire Latin proverb reads, “Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero,” which translates, ‘”Seize the day and place no trust in tomorrow.”

As Christians we need to live our lives according to God’s righteousness. Today is the day the Lord has made. The past is gone, the future hasn’t arrived. If we live in the past or in the future, then we forsake today. The only reality that exists for us is today. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:16 to redeem the time, to make use of every opportunity. Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread – the provision we need only for today.

God made us His children and set us free. He set us free from the past and the future. Each day is given to us like a talent. We are to work with what is in our hands and He will bless it. We are to seize this day and make the most of it. Paul says in Corinthians, the time is short. The psalmist tells us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. This is God’s practicality – He gives us one day at a time. Rejoice in it and give Him glory!

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without,
redeeming the time”
Colossians 4:5

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MY FATHER

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Day 140

“For Thine is the kingdom”
Matthew 6:13

When you are a small child, your dad is everything. He earns the income, takes care of the problems in the house, protects you, and helps guide your life. He oversees you and there is a certain security in that. It isn’t until much later in life that you begin to realize, although dad ruled in the house, he didn’t have the power to do everything.

It’s true in earthly countries also. A president or king may rule over a nation, but they do not have the power to do with their country what they wish. And they do not have the power to change external circumstances that can deeply affect a country. That’s true for the United States and all other countries. Leaders have a kingdom, but not the power. And it’s true for us as individuals. We can rule over our life and body, but the older you get you realize you do not have the power to do as you wish. If you believe otherwise, show how you have power over fatal diseases, accidents and death.

But not so with our Father and King of Kings. His is the kingdom and the power. He rules over all things and holds absolute power. And what is impossible for men is possible with God. There is no limit to the kingdom of God. Psalm 103:19 says, “His sovereignty rules over all.” He never sleeps or slumbers [Psalm 121:3-4]. This is our Father who is in heaven.

“For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen,”
Matthew 6:13

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