oak tree
by Tetelestai Evangelical Ministries
The devotion in the Open Windows today is based in Genesis 15. In
verses 1 and 6 we find, “(v1) After these things the word of the LORD
came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield,
and thy exceeding great reward.(v6) And he believed in the LORD; and
he counted it to him for righteousness.”(KJV)
While there is a wealth of information and learning to be received
form those scriptures, I simply want to focus on two (2) things.
1. v1, “....Fear not...”
2. v6, “...he believed..”
It is human nature to resist change. Oftentimes, this resistance comes
from fear of the unknown. We like to control things as humans and
change disrupts our ability to control.
Therefore, when we come to Christ or begin to serve Him for the first
time, we are confronted with the abyss of the unknown--what will
happen?, what will my friends & family think?, will God actually care
for me?, will I really make a difference?, what if?
All those questions are the fear mechanism kicking into gear.
Now, that being said, v6 comes into play, “..he believed..”
The way to overcome our fear and embrace change is simply to believe
that God will be there, that you will make a difference (even if you
cannot see it), that God will turn the thoughts of your friends and
family to good and will use that as an entry point for you to speak to
them, that you will further God’s kingdom.
Belief is truly easier said than done, however, belief is an action
that when enacted transcends and overcomes fear.
Every day we stand for something. We are either standing with God or
against Him.
As our world transforms and the societal norms and mores (values)
change from God centered to Godlessness, Christians are increasingly
being confronted with persecution.
Christians are now being silently persecuted for praying at council
meetings, for refusing to leave their Bibles at home when they go to
school, for rejecting abomination in their congregations or for
enacting visitation programs--some are even being persecuted for just
accepting Jesus.
Satan is exercising his influence upon our nation and our nation’s
leaders and Christian’s are the target of the attack. Unfortunately,
his strategy of deceit is effective.
What is even more atrocious is that preachers are not taking a stand.
Many preachers, though preaching against Satan and his whiles, are
only pulpit servants--preaching the Word, but not “rocking the boat”
outside the pulpit. This is a travesty.
Over 50 years ago, our Nation had bouts of revival--though that word
implies something that was dead being brought back to life--true life
changing, community changing revival. Today, most “revivals” are
nothing more than “extended” praise and worship services--change lasts
until they get into their vehicle.
True “revival”--a better word would be rekindling as it implies a
spark still exists but has become ineffective in sustaining a fire--is
lasting, it propels transformation, it makes a dramatic impact, it
gets things accomplished.
True “revival”/rekindling, reinvigorates the spark of Christianity,it
fans the flames of concern for the lost, it forever changes the lives
of those consumed by the rekindling.
However, it comes at a cost.
True rekindling, can only be achieved when Christians truly “sell out”
for God. When they take a stand and say, “Regardless of the cost, I
stand for God and He will take care of the consequences.” True
rekindling, means willing to accept losing your income for God. Losing
your “old” acquaintances for God. Being homeless for God. Facing your
enemies for God.
Just like Israel in the Old Testament, they forsook everything and
went into the desert. They followed God without concern for the
consequences. They crossed the Red Sea and the Jordan River BECAUSE
GOD SAID TO!! They marched around the walls of Jericho, blew trumpets,
and shouted BECAUSE GOD SAID TO!
However, today, we argue with God. “I have a family, I cannot quit my
job to serve you.” “I am in a position of authority in a public
position, I cannot take that stand for you I might lose votes.”
Consider this, there is no reward if there is no sacrifice. Nothing we
have on this Earth to sacrifice for God is near as valuable as the Son
He sacrificed for us.
Christians, Brothers, Sisters!! This is your call to stand!! The LORD
GOD JEHOVAH is calling you right now!! WE need rekindling in our
personal souls, we need rekindling in our Churches, we need rekindling
in our communities, WE NEED REKINDLING IN OUR NATION!!
Will you answer the call? Will you make the sacrifice? Will you stand
with GOD and be counted faithful?
Will you?
If so, just like Israel, GOD has promised to care for you and He will
provide all you need regardless of what the may be!!
If not, then you are giving Satan an opportunity to infiltrate your
life and slowly destroy your testimony and influence. The inability to
follow God is nothing short of a lack of trust and faith in Him.
Make the right choice!! Step out in faith. Choose to take up the
cause. Choose to be a spark regardless of the consequences!! If you
do, not only will He bring you through the Red Sea and Jordan River,
He will cause the enemy’s fortress to crumble and enable you to defeat
them. He will slay your Goliath. HE WILL BRING YOU TO YOUR CANAAN!!
If you do, GOD WILL make a transformation in you and those around you
that is so profound and lasting that its effect will be greater than
any movement our world has ever witnessed in history!! But it takes
you to willingly choose God over everything else!!
The choice is yours. Regardless, of which choice, there will be
consequences--either God will handle them or you will be left to
handle them.
Conducting a Bible study on Wednesday nights. We are going through
Charles Stanley’s book, “ 30 Life Principles”.
Principle 1 was: Our intimacy with God. This principle really is the
basis for all others. If one ponders what intimacy is, one begins to
understand that intimacy is rooted in trust and love. Only through
exhibiting unrelenting trust and love can we truly know intimacy. A
good example of this is God’s love for us. He set the standard by
giving His Son as a sacrifice for our transgressions (sins).
Thought: When we are in an intimate relationship, there are no
inhibitions and there is truly nothing we would not do or sacrifice
for the object of our intimacy. To be in an intimate relationship with
God means that we forget ourselves and “sell-out” to God. That we do
what ever He desires because we love Him and desire to please Him.
Principle 2: Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. The basis
of this principle is faith. Consider this, to have an intimate
relationship, one must have faith in the object of their intimacy.
Faith that they can be vulnerable to the object of their intimacy and
not be taken advantage of or exploited. Intimacy with God, means being
vulnerable to Him--putting it all out there without reservation. Thus,
we should be willing, even eager, to do anything God requests without
reservation or hesitation.
Thought: When we obey God unconditionally and do what He requests, we
are in effect saying, “Ok, God. I trust You. I have faith that
regardless of the consequences, You are in control and that You will
take care of me with whatever I need.” See, God looks for a willing
heart that is all He requires--not education, experience, fluency, or
any other attribute, just a willing heart. For when we are willing, we
exhibit true faith and with that God works miracles.
Principle 3: God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm:
Isn’t it nice to know that when storms arrive we have an anchor that
holds true? Just like a ship at sea that “drops anchor” to keep it
from being tossed about by the tumultuous waves. If the anchor is sure
and steadfast, the ship will stay afloat and not be thrown off course.
Conversely, if the anchor fails to hold, the ship will be in peril.
Thought: As we take the leap of faith and obey God at all costs,
storms will surely ensue. These storms may vary in their intensity,
however, no storm is really a picnic to endure. It is assuring to know
that our faith is made whole in the anchor of God’s Word. The very
fact that His Word provides us the assurances we need to weather the
storm reinforces that He is trustworthy and thereby deepens our
intimacy with Him.
Principle 4 will be discussed later, however, we can begin to see a
trend in Principles 1 through 3 and how each one builds upon the other
while simultaneously working in sync, or synergy, with the other
Principles. It is imperative that we as Christians strive to have a
true intimate relationship with God. As we draw nearer to God the the
intimacy of the relationship deepens and we begin to realize what true
fellowship is about. We also begin to realize just how much God really
does care for and love us as we begin to see the fruition of His
blessings.
Certainly, no one can argue that prior to the eating of the forbidden
fruit, Adam and Eve enjoyed the most intimate relationship with God
than any human other than Jesus. Their relationship with God was so
intimate, He would leave Heaven to walk in the garden and commune with
them--this is the level of intimacy we should strive to achieve with
God (that He would desire to fellowship with us so much, that He would
leave Heaven to do so).
One final thought....
What do Intimacy, Obeying, and an Anchor all have in common? They all
are actions and require something to be done. Keep this in mind, one
cannot have a one-sided intimate relationship, one cannot “obey” and
do nothing, and one cannot benefit from an anchor if they never cast
it into the sea.
It is all about actions.
Have a blessed day!!
Are you going through a tough time? Are you struggling and do not know
what is next? Fret not. God is in control.
The valley’s of our life can be viewed as either a drudgery or as a
time of growth--the choice of perspective is ours to indulge.
Consider this, what is an acorn?
The answer depends on what one does with the acorn. If one keeps it on
their table, the acorn is nothing more than a decoration. If one
plants the acorn, it has the opportunity to transform into a mighty
oak tree.
The acorn’s transformation into an oak tree, however, is no easy feat.
The seedling must first break through the hard exterior shell, then it
must simultaneously grow upward and downward through the hard
compacted soil. Upward to the surface and the necessary sunlight that
will bring about the process to photosynthesis. Downward into the
depths of the soil to establish a root system that will create
sustainability and act as an anchor in tumultuous times.
The fragile acorn does this without complaining or worry, instead, it
just trusts God to care for it and nurture its growth. Then one day,
the seedling looks around and it is a mighty oak tree bearing seeds of
it own, providing shade for those who pass by, and reaching upward to
God with its branches.
We are like the acorn. When we go through the valley’s of our life,
those are the times where God is stimulating our growth and
strengthening our root system. If we will simply yield to Him and be
patient, we will one day have our eyes opened and see that we too are
a mighty oak bearing fruit, caring for others, and worshiping God.
Will you embrace God’s spurring of growth in you, or will you resist
growth and remain unfruitful in your shell missing out on the
blessings of God?
The choice is yours.
May God guide you to the decision you need to make and may He bless
you in every endeavor to partake!!
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