Changing One Life, Reaching Many....

Not Now, but Hereafter~

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. (John 13:7 KJV)

Beautiful One, have you ever gone through something that at the time made no sense at all? Do you know what it is to struggle and squirm, or maybe just be dumbstruck at how certain events are playing out in the symphony of your life?

What I love about Jesus is that, 2000 years ago, when He was about his Fathers business, He was also about yours and mine. Jesus not only taught principles for the people of his time, but He also, took the time to teach a lesson that you and I could apply to our life and time.

Jesus was relevant, yesterday, and today, and will continue to be, hereafter!

Most of the time that Jesus was teaching a principle, I love that He used illustrations. He didn’t just talk, He gave people something to see. I don’t know about you, but I do far better in my learning, when I can actually see how it’s done, rather than just being told what to do.

Jesus understood that the more people know, the better they will do. They will be armed with not just sight, but vision.

When Jesus got up from his last supper, and  washed the Disciples feet, He was also sending a powerful message to you and I, hereafter!
 

“What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” Jesus was telling his friends, you will not understand why I am doing this to you right now, it will make no sense, but, hereafter, you will completely get it.

Beautiful One, have you ever known God was doing something with you, in you and around you, and yet didn’t have any understanding as to why, or how this was even important to your life? Has God ever been busy, while you have just been standing there, going along with it, but not seeing the relevance?

The Disciples were his closest companions, they knew Jesus, but his ways were not their ways. But, afterwards, after Jesus left them, everything Jesus showed them started to make sense. And, when the Disciples had to walk their faith out, they surely realized that all the illustrations jesus showed them, were simply weapons that they could use in the battle of life.

Beautiful One, the Lord knows we may not understand why we lost a job, or our marriage. Maybe, we lost loved ones along our way, or our reputations, maybe we lost even after we tried to do everything right.

No matter what night we face, we probably wont understand it at the time. If the Disciples didn’t, and Jesus admitted they wouldn’t, are we any different? But, afterwards, after the storm has passed, after the court case is closed, after the sun starts to shine, we will have our understanding.

Not only will we have understanding, but we will be fully armed, stronger, and definitely wiser. 

Beautiful One, you may not understand all the ways the Lord has taken you, or even liked them, but hold on, because there is a purpose for everything under the sun, and not now, but later, you will be able to say, I am still standing, hereafter!

Beautiful One, just believe.

 

When The Bell Rings...

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NIV)

Beautiful One, are you a fighter?  May I suggest that in our Christian walk we need to be. Sometimes, when challenges ride into our lives like a tsunami, we need to grab our armor, and use that fighting spirit God deposited in  us.

A fighter is defined as : A person who does not easily admit defeat in spite of difficulties or opposition, one who fights as a warrior or soldier. Sometimes we look at others and think that they are mighty in the Lord, and we are just of a meeker, more gentle spirit.

But the truth is, you and I are fighters. Plain and simple.  Life and people will uppercut, and hit us below the belt even, and we will come to a defining moment. Will we stay down for the count, or with everything in us, get back up?

Beautiful One, there is nothing that can happen to us, that surprises God. Wouldn't it be awful if we say to God, I cant believe this happened, and He replies, "yea, me too." Isn't it a wonderful thing that God has already deposited a resiliency and strength to conquer and overthrow any obstacle in our path?

What I love about the fighting spirit is that, in order to be a fighter, there has to be someone or something to fight.  It's not an elective as much as prerequisite.

Sometimes we forget who we are and the power within us. Within us lies a warrior, a soldier, a conqueror. Nothing gives the enemy a black eye more  than  a man or woman who knows this about themselves. You can throw just about anything at them and no matter what, they are not going down!

People will betray you, talk about you, lie to and about you, throw you out and close the door, but so what!

They might throw you out of a job or a house, or out of their life, but they cant throw you out of the kingdom. You might be down but your not out! Fighters usually are armed with only 2 things: who God is and who they are in him. Thats it! David slayed Goliath  knowing  this, Gideon won his battle, and "Jesus" endured the cross knowing this.

You are a child of the King, Christ is in your corner! You're destined to win. So fight your way through, dance on  injustice, and laugh in the face adversity! By doing this, you wont just hush people up, but their jaws will drop to the floor when they see you soaring, instead of drowning!

The best revenge in life is knowing how mighty your God is, and that you are made in his image. So grab your courage and go, don't forget some joy along the way; that is where your strength comes from! Let nothing or no one stop you. And when that bell rings you will be the last one standing!

Beautiful One, just believe.

 

The Warrior Within~

"If you have raced with mere men on foot, and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble and fall on open and safe ground, how will you manage in the thickets of Jordan? Your brothers, your own family members have turned against you, they have raised complaints against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you."
(Jeremiah 12:5-6 NIV) 

Beautiful One, have you ever raced with men who have worn you out? Not just any men, but confidants, spiritual siblings, co-workers, husbands, and wives, even children. Do you know what it is to share your life and open your heart just to have your kindness trampled underfoot?

Jeremiah understood this, and perhaps you the person reading this, understands the pain this passage speaks of. This was the Lord's answer to Jeremiahs suffering. Jeremiah cried unto the Lord why? Why has this happened, why have you sent me here with a purpose and a plan, and why have I been rejected and torn to pieces?

It always amazes me the way the Lord deals with His children. The Lord is tender, yet in our darkest hour, when tears streamline down our face, He speaks a word not to our pain, but to the warrior within.

The Lord  told Jeremiah, if running with these men has caused you to lose heart and faint, and these are just men, mere specks on my overall plan, how in the world will you ever race against horses in all their strength? If this small thing in a safe land overcomes you, how will I ever be able to send you into the thickets of Jordan, into a land with giants?

  A few years back, I walked through a painful situation. It involved spiritual family members. The magnitude of  brokenness I experienced was inflamed by my personal involvement with each of these people.

There is no denying that God handpicked all of us to dwell together for a season. What do you do when the plan of God brings forth pain, suffering, and rejection? What do you do when you are hit below the belt by those closest to you?

The Lord has given us the answer. God didn't speak to the why's, He spoke to the warrior within that would ultimatly prevail. In this passage the Lord acknowledges the wrong done to us. God acknowledges that we have been lied about, and rejected. It's as if He lovingly, yet firmly reminds us, I saw it, I see it all, but if this will break you, if these men and their words and actions will destroy you then how can you ever go forward into what I need you to do? How can you ever face the giants in the Promised Land where you will have to fight, although it has been given to you?

Beautiful One, people will hurt you. You cannot escape this reality. But just because there is pain and injustice, doesn't mean the plans have changed. It only means that the pain will play it's part.  If men are wearing you out, never underestimate the power of the warrior within! God wouldn't allow it to happen, unless He plans to use it to help you further down the road.

Beautiful One, just believe...