THE LIFE OF FAITH AND THE GLORIOUS CHURCH - 2009
january 24th
THE FATHER CALLS EACH ONE OF HIS CHILDREN TO STAND IMMOVABLE AGAINST
SATAN'S ONSLAUGHT IN ANY GIVEN MOMENT - SOLID AS A ROCK IN THEIR FAITH [TRUST]
IN HIS WORD
...."Therefore,
since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay
aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us, FIXING our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of [our] faith"....
Hebrews 12:1-2a NASB
The Father calls each
one of His children to stand immovable against Satan's onslaught in any given
moment - solid as a rock in their faith [trust] in His Word. The Father is establishing
[building] a Church that has no sin, no rebellion and no fear - and, thus,
Satan will have no ground to work within Her. This is precisely why she is
called "the spotless and unblemished Church" - a glorious Church in
which only the presence and wisdom of God is found in EVERY word and deed. Many
do not yet realize the significance of their words and actions and, thus, if
they "allow" themselves to continually take fearful and worrisome
[lying] thoughts [in their slothfulness-negligence], it will - ultimately -
become a "clear confession" of their unbelief and pride. In this
state of darkness and unbelief Satan is THEN enabled to prey upon them in some
way - afflicting them almost, it seems, at will, as they place their faith in
his lies rather than the Truth of God.
KNOWING THAT GOD JUDGES ONLY THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS OF THE
HEART WE MUST REALIZE THAT IF WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO TAKE AN ANXIOUS THOUGHT FOR
ANY FACET OF OUR LIFE OR MINISTRY ON AN ONGOING BASIS THEN JESUS CHRIST [THE
WILL AND WORD OF GOD] IS NO LONGER OUR PRIMARY FOCUS
Knowing that God judges
ONLY the thoughts and intentions of the heart we must realize that if we allow
ourselves to take an anxious thought for ANY facet of our life or ministry on
an ongoing basis then Jesus Christ [the Will and Word of God] is no longer our
"primary" focus - for as long as we hold onto that fear. If our eyes
are truly upon Jesus [the Word of God], and we, thus, continually fix our gaze
upon Him - regardless of any "outward circumstances" [or how we feel]
- then that faith that we continually exercise in the face of any
"adversity" shall always see us through superabundantly, and
eventually cause our "circumstances" around us to be conformed to the
will of God. If we allow ourselves to take our eyes off of Jesus for a
sustained period we will surely find ourselves in a place wherein we are moving
farther and farther away from the Word [Will] of God - until such a time as a
deep and thorough repentance is forthcoming. Therefore, from these things, we
are able to see clearly the folly of retaining fear and worry in our lives! For
if we do we are playing right into Satan's game - which is to lure us out into
"his domain" [the "world"] that he might destroy us. On the
other hand, as we exercise a steadfast faith in the revealed knowledge of God's
Word, Satan and his forces will never be able to "touch" us
[influence or change our heart motivation from seeking the fullness of the
Father's purpose] in any way - for they shall have to bow their knee to the
omnipotent Word [and the burning revelation of His Will] that dwells mightily
within our heart! If one continues to walk in fear and anxiety then they are
essentially saying [through their words and actions] that the Fatheris not able
- or even worse - not willing to meet our needs, and of course those are both
vile lies of the Evil One!
Related
Scriptures: Ephesians 5:27; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 John 5:18-19;
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