“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
The enemy will do anything he can to keep us dwelling on the past — but Jesus is calling us FORWARD and UPWARD to our true destiny! And this destiny is often something we must fight for (in our thoughts and emotions) and choose daily. BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT!!!
“Always be PREPARED to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
I believe our testimonies are one of the main ways God has chosen to shine His Light into the darkness of this world. And one useful way to be prepared is to take time to write out a 2 – 4 minute version of our testimony (the wonderful way God led you out of darkness) and to practice sharing it. You might even take an evening at your home group to practice sharing your testimonies with each other, so that you won’t feel so awkward when you share with unbelievers. Just a thought.
There is a lot of talk about spiritual warfare these days (ie – warfare against demons and the kingdom of darkness). And a lot of suggestions about how to wage spiritual war and what weapons to use. I had a dream awhile back in which I am given a rifle that had two bullets in it — and in the dream, I am told that with these bullets I can hold off a lot of enemies. The two bullets were humility and obedience.
Yes, things like targeted intercession and fasting can be very helpful in fighting against forces of darkness and extending the Kingdom of God — but we must never lose sight of how important and effective such “simple” (and profound) things as Godly character and obedience are.
Jesus, when He was referring to the devil, said “the ruler of the world is coming, and He has nothing in Me.” (John 14:30) What He was saying is that there was no area of compromise in His heart or life that the enemy could use against Him. And when we walk in humility and obedience to the Holy Spirit, our hearts are like strong towers that the enemy cannot penetrate.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:6-9)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(Acts 1:8)
It seems to me that this is a journey many of us are on: When we set Jesus as the delightful center of our lives, then He begins to change who we are and what we want (as we learn to abide in Him), until our former, natural priorities and desires (the “old man’s” game plan) change and are transformed into His priorities and desires.
And when this happens — when we want what He wants — then we whole-heartedly embrace the delightful adventure and call that He has for our lives.
One night, I was sitting in my car, parked on a well-known, well-traveled Atlanta street, waiting for a friend. As I was doing this, the Holy Spirit invaded and interrupted my thoughts with this question: “Do you know how long Eternity is?”
Sensing that this was a deeper question than my finite little brain was capable of answering, I sat quietly and waited for Him to answer His own question. And a minute later, He said “Lon, Eternity is so long, that no matter how talented and gifted and intelligent and creative you are, if you are on your own in Eternity, the day would come when you would loathe and despise everything about your life. Because your abilities are finite — and Eternity will ultimately and eternally consume you. The day would come when you would DESPERATELY long for anything new — ANYTHING to break the terrifying, deathly tedium and despair of being merely you!”
“BUT…I (speaking of Himself) am so brilliant and creative and outstandingly amazing, that if you are with Me in Eternity, the day will NEVER come when you will ever cease to be FASCINATED with Me. Because I am the ONLY ONE who is greater than Eternity.”
“You have made known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your Presence,
with ETERNAL pleasures at Your right hand.”
(Psalm 16:11)
loon watchman 