Daily Declarations, # 13

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Psalm 135:4 says, "For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own special treasure."
Treasure = something very much valued.

The Lord treasures His chosen people. They are His cherished possession, and He has separated them from all the others in the world for a specific plan and purpose. In His great compassion and love for us, He chooses us from the masses that we might know Him personally and intimately, that we might keep His Spirit of truth alive in this world, that we may seek all of our days to worship Him and glorify His name, and that He might find rest within us and commune richly with us.

What a privilege it is to know that I am chosen by name as a treasure by God for His great pleasure.

That His calling me is for my good and His glory is almost too much to comprehend! What joy is found in committing my life to the One who chose me in advance as His very own!

And so we daily declare: The Lord has chosen me for Himself as His special treasure.

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 12

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Isaiah 62:4 says this, "Never again will you be called, 'The Forsaken City' or 'The Desolate Land.' Your new name will be 'The City of God's Delight' and 'The Bride of God', for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as His bride."

This marriage covenant between God and His people, is an image of a close, intimate relationship. God, here, is demonstrating His unfailing love for those who belong to Him... delighting over the renaming of His people.

I love this image of the church being the bride of Christ.

One of the things I love the most about attending a wedding ceremony is keeping a close eye on the groom when he sees his sweet bride walking toward him down the aisle. I love to see the reaction of love and adoration as if seeing her for the very first time. He delights over her presence. He can't help but smile at the sight of her. He's overjoyed at the two becoming one.

That's how I picture it too with our Lord. He delights in us. In the claiming us as His bride, we are sweetly adored, cherished, admired, and lovingly treasured by the King of Kings.

And so we daily declare: He delights in me and I am married to Him.

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 11

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Isaiah 62:3 says, "The Lord will hold you in His hand for all to see - a splendid crown in the hand of God."

Oh friend... that we are that dear to Him - that He calls us to be crowns of glory in His hands!

That we are regarded by Him "as a crown is by a prince; as a crown of massy gold, stuck with jewels, is rich and valuable, so are they in the eyes of Christ; they are dear and precious to him; high in his esteem; which he will not suffer to be trampled upon, or to be taken away from him, no more than a prince will suffer his crown to be so used or lost..." (according to my commentary.)

The crown indicates that the Lord delights in us and looks upon us with a glad approval. We are held in high regard as a crown of jewels, for the purpose of shining brightly for our King!

And so we daily declare: I am a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord.

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 10

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Zephaniah 3:17 might be one of my favorite pieces of scripture in all of the bible. It says this, "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He can calm your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

I remember when my daughter was a baby and we'd put her to bed at night singing over her in her crib. I remember praying over her and singing songs of love and adoration, and even just the sound of my voice calmed her down enough to drift off into dreamland. There was something in that reassurance of my presence that spoke to the confirmation of my love for her.

And I imagine God like that... with me. With us. Oh how He delights in His creation. How He loves us with an unfailing love. And even in my fear and worry and doubt and uncertainty, He rejoices over all of me with joyful songs. What an incredible image this is!

And so we daily declare: He rejoices over me with gladness and singing.

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 9

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Psalm 35:27 says, "... Let them continually say, 'Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing His servant with peace!'"

One of the things I want other people to see in my life is peace.

Peace is defined as, "A state of tranquility, freedom from disturbance or agitation, freedom from hostility and retaliation, harmony."

I think it serves us well to strive for more peace in our lives, because I think it's when we are in a peaceful disposition that Christ can be most accurately seen and felt and experienced.

There's just something wonderful about a peaceful person. One who is not rushed or worried or filled with anger and hostility. There's just something that preserves our witness when we are able to demonstrate a calmness, especially in the midst of a storm.

Because people are watching. They're paying attention to us and how we behave under challenging times, and we have a godly reputation to uphold... one that highlights the great benefits of following Jesus.

And so we daily declare: I am God's servant and He takes pleasure in my prosperity of peace.

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 8

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

2 Timothy 1:7 says this, For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-disciple.

The Message version says it this way, "God doesn’t want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible."

Sometimes I have to remind myself that through Jesus I am powerful... courageous... and strong. Most of the time, to be honest, it's when I am exercising. Because let's face it, I hate to exercise. I really do. But every time I am on the bike, or running around the track at my daughter's school, or lifting heavy weights, I have to remind myself, repeatedly, "I am powerful... I am courageous... I am strong." In fact I say them so often during times of exercise, I honestly start feeling it in my bones!
A spirit of fear and timidity is NOT from God.

We were created FROM victory and FOR victory. We were given power to encounter dangers, power to bear up under trials and power to triumph in persecutions.

We were given the great ability to love God and love others. It is the greatest calling of our lives and since we were created in His image, we have what He has - great love!

And self-discipline. Some versions say, "sound mind". Paul exhorted Timothy to give up worldly entanglements that only served to trip him up. We must ask the Holy Spirit to continue the same work in us so that we can serve God, disregarding self and having a sound mind.

And so we daily declare: I do not have a spirit of fear. God gives me power, love, and self-discipline.

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 7

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Colossians 1:11 says, "We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy."

The Message version says it like this, "We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."

Isn't that beautiful?

Glory-strength. HIS mighty strength. We can do it no other way.

And knowing how to do something is quite different than being enabled to practice it. I know that I am weak in myself, but when I willingly and submissively surrender to His will and allow myself to be a vessel for Him, I am made into a strong and mighty warrior ready for battle... armed with endurance for the long haul.

Christian joy is a natural reaction to living in alignment with the Father and fulfilling our God-given destinies in Him!

And so we daily declare: I have great endurance and patience and I am filled with joy!

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 6

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Colossians 1:10 says, "Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while you will grow as you learn to know God better and better."

Paul is here praying that his hearers will seek after deep understanding of the Word of God and to live out the full implications of the Gospel message in their lives. Paul knew that when we yearn to learn as much as we can about righteous living through spiritual growth, we will have the steadfast endurance to stand firm against evil and the prowling enemy.

We please God most when we strive to imitate His character. And we cannot expect to successfully strive to imitate His character if we do not study His Word to understand His ways.

Good fruit is evidence... proof... that the ultimate aim of our life is to honor and glorify the Father... and we do that by committing to make the studying of Him and The Word the highest priority.

And so we daily declare: The way I live honors and pleases God. I produce every kind of good fruit and I am increasing in my knowledge of God.

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 5

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Colossians 3:15 says, "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

PEACE is defined by Webster's American Dictionary, this way: A state of quiet or tranquility, freedom from disturbance or agitation, freedom from war, freedom from internal commotion, freedom from private quarrels, heavenly rest, harmony.

In all who are in Him, peace is a fruit of the Spirit given upon the acceptance of His salvation gift. It resides inside of us. And here we are told to let it rule in our hearts... in other words, let it govern and control you as if an umpire of your life. Meaning all things we do should be done through the filter of peace.

And so it is with thanksgiving. Did you know that "Be thankful" or some form of it, is found 37 times in the epistles. I would say it was of great importance for us to understand how powerful gratitude is. When we can be thankful IN all circumstances and grateful for the things He lavishly provides... only then can we really be overcomers!

So I will access the peace and use it as a guide to light my days. I will live harmoniously with everyone and live in complete freedom from stress and anxiety - because these are not of the Lord. And I will be grateful for all that He gives and use all that He allows for His ultimately glory!

And so we daily declare: I let the peace of Christ rule in my heart and I am always thankful.

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 4

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Philippians 4:13 is a beloved verse we are all very familiar with, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

And I am sure that even if you're not much of a scripture memorization type person, you're able to pull this from your arsenal at any moment.

Charles Spurgeon says, "No man is likely to accomplish much who moodily indulges a desponding view of his own capacities." Ahh... yes... and so it IS important, these daily declarations after all!
To think nothing is impossible is the privilege of faith. I once heard the story of a man who became very ill. While he was sick and in bed, he wouldn't even allow visitors in who would dare feel sorry for him. He would only grant permission for engagement with those who would lift him up and remind him that God was going to heal him!

How's that for faith?

We must believe that in our weakness, we are made strong because of Jesus Christ. We must believe that even in the midst of trials... no!... especially then, our faith is being made stronger and stronger.

Spurgeon continues on that, "God gives faith equal to the emergency."

So we can stand confident that He is making the mountains you're facing possible to climb because of the generous grace gift in the midst of your lack.

And so we daily declare: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 3

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Ephesians 4:32 says, "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God, through Christ, has forgiven you."

This was a call right after Paul tells us to, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior."

And when we remove something, it's not just for the removal of it, we must REPLACE it for something else. Something better.

And forgiveness is a tough one.

But if the Gospel message is about anything... it's about forgiveness. Forgiveness frees us up from captivity, and allows us to end the cycle of unnecessary revenge. Extending forgiveness is truly being the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that demands ugly "rights" and "retaliation."

Brian Zahnd says in his book, Unconditional that, "Jesus didn't come to conquer the world with a sword, He came to save the world with a cross."

And the hope for the world is cross-carrying disciples who intentionally imitate the Savior and His forgiveness, His forbearance, His humility, and His grace.

And so we daily declare: I am kind and tenderhearted to others. I forgive them as God, in Christ, has forgiven me.

- Wendy Bender, Inspire Ministries, 2018
Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 2

 

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Philippians 2:4 says this, "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too." The Passion Translation says it this way, "Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests."

Ahh yes... that!

There's something about it when other people take genuine interest in what is important to you. I have one friend I'm thinking of right now, who always remembers things going on in my life and will ALWAYS remember to ask me about them... frequently. That's a good friend.

Lowly-mindedness is most like Christ-likeness. Christ came to demonstrate selfless love to His followers. To teach us humility and kindness and tenderness.

Because we are pursuing a full life in Christ, we can begin operating in the example He set forth for us. Let's try it this week in the small things... let someone else cut in line ahead of you in the grocery store, sacrifice rest so your spouse can sleep in extra long this weekend, ask someone how you can be praying for them and then follow-up on that request in a few days.

And so we daily declare: I look out not only for my own interests but also for the interests of others.

- Wendy Bender, Inspire Ministries, 2018
Daily Declarations
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Daily Declarations, # 1

The words we say matter. And what you say to yourself daily matters more than you think! There is power in your vocabulary! That's why we must begin declaring the promises and purposes over our lives!

Romans 5:17 says this, "For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ."

Ahh... the gift of salvation. Free to all who receive it. And when we accept His gift, we are represented by Jesus Christ - the One who paid the price for all the sins we committed, all the sins we're committing, and all the sins we will ever commit.

And because of His free will offering, we can live in the triumph over sin and death.

That is grace. And it's grace upon grace that is heaped upon us undeservingly.

And so we daily declare: I receive an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. I live in triumph over sin and death through Jesus Christ.

- Wendy Bender, Inspire Ministries, 2018
Daily Declarations
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Miracle-Worker Over Miracle

Mark 1:44 says, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the Priest and tell him to examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

Christ cleansed him… yet required him to be obedient to the law. My commentary says, “It’s possible that, if he did not go at once, evil minded men would go before him and prejudice the priest, and prevent his declaring the healing to be thorough because it was done by Jesus.”

And I used to wonder why it was that Christ prohibited this man from telling anyone about the miracle. But maybe he was to not say anything to anyone because people were too addicted to the miracles of Christ, without due regard to His teaching. After all, it was His teaching that was His main mission. Mark 1:38 says, “... we must go on to other towns too, and I will preach to them too. This is why I came.”

His reason for coming to us was conversion through His preaching. Salvation for all.

Christ wasn’t looking for a crowd of wonder-seekers all clamoring for a sign… but he was looking for students to listen to the plea of the salvation message.

We must be wise in our telling of our experiences. We must not speak more about God‘s mercy than we have time to study and learn from its lessons. My commentary says that, “...had he but gone into some retired spot and mastered the meaning of Jesus’ mercy, he might have become an apostle. As it is, he became a sort of showman of himself.”

May our want of the miracle never replace our want of the Miracle-Worker.

Clarity and Conversion

1 Samuel 24:5 says this, “But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Sauls robe.” The MSG says, “Immediately, he felt guilty.” Ahh... heart conviction that brings sincere change!

David’s heart was troubled because he disobeyed God. To him it was the most terrible consideration that he had slain God’s anointed king.

This was a test. God had delivered Saul into David‘s hands. David had the promise of the kingdom, but no order to harm the king. No request to fight his way to obtain power. He passed this test. Not only would he do it, but he wouldn’t be heart-grieved over watching his men partake in the disrespect either.

My commentary says, “David rendered good for evil to him from whom he received evil for good.”

David viewed this action inconsistent with the respect what he owed the king. Oh yes... and could it be for us as is with our president? According to Scripture, we are to respect those in power and authority over us (Rom 13:1, 2; Titus 3:1). And we do this not because they’ve “earned” or “deserve” respect, but because anything less than complete honor towards them is inconsistent with the Christian lifestyle. It damages our effectiveness for drawing in souls to Christ.

I believe that we sacrifice Christ’s reputation on the altar of contempt and chastisement. Our job is to respect those in leadership, while submitting to the full and ultimate authority of God, who is in control.

David steadily opposed the urgent instigations of his followers to put an end to their troubles by the death of their persecutor. And David would’ve done so if he possessed a revengeful heart.

Did David have “human reasoning” to retaliate? Sure! Oh but wouldn’t it be more God-like to forgive? David was remembering his own kingship. And possibly asking the internal question, “What kind of character am I developing?”

David was able to stop and perceive the will of God. He realize the foolishness in the way he was behaving (Prov 24:9).

Oh and then there’s the final thought within my commentary, “ Every thought which discourages and removes thee from growing in love and trust towards God is a messenger of hell.”

Our conscience should always bring clarity and conversion. 

Our Love Should Grow And Overflow

1 Thess 3:13 says, “May He, as a result, make your heart strong, blameless, and holy, as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all His holy people.” The Message says it like this, “May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God…”

But as a result of what? Ahh... verse 12 answers that: your love for one another and all people.

My commentary says, “There is no holiness in men naturally. What is in them without grace of God, is only a show. True holiness is from the Spirit of God.”

It’s love that fulfills the requirements of the law (Rom 13:10), and it’s the band of perfection (Col 3:14).

Scripture tells us that we should not be satisfied with the forgiveness of our past sins. God’s eternal aim for us is holiness. And it should be our aim too. Holiness is the alteration of thoughts, affection, and conduct. It’s seeking clean hands and a pure heart.

Holiness as defined by the Webster’s dictionary translated from the King James Bible, defines holiness like this, “purity or integrity of moral character, freedom from sin, purity of heart, sanctified affections, moral goodness (but not perfect), that which is separated for the service of God.

And so we’re required to evaluate ourself against His requirement for holiness. And it’s more than just the passing of an examination. My commentary says, “This is not education.” God is looking for more than temporary memorization of His Word. He’s looking for application and transformation as a result of our faithful obedience and adherence to His directives. And love is the greatest directive given.

Holiness springs from love.

Be encouraged that God will never expect more of us than is humanly possible. So stand firm in the fact that you have the potential within you for holiness through Jesus Christ!

Our love should grow and overflow!

Your Double Share Is Achieved By Your Watchful Spirit

2 Kings 2:10 says, “‘You have asked a difficult thing’, Elijah replied. ‘If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.’” The Message in part says, “...only if you’re watching.”

Elijah was getting ready to be taken up to heaven and Elisha, his predecessor, was asking for a double portion of his spirit before he departed. After spending time with his mentor, Elisha was preparing to take up the mantle of leadership and become Elijah’s successor.

And Elijah tells him, “If you see me when I’m leaving you will get it, but if you don’t see me, you won’t.”

What I think he’s saying here is, “If you stick with me to the end, if you keep your eyes on me and on the work of our Lord (Elijah was one of only 2 spared from natural death), then you’ll be worthy to inherit my mantle and replace my leadership.”

“Watching people” inherit the prize. The one nearest to the Lord and the one attentively focused on His work and His ways, will get to experience through sight what isn’t visible through neglect. My commentary says beautifully, “The mountains get the first gleam of sun.” Yes! They’re the ones standing tall and expectant!

Elisha was a watchful Spirit. He understood before the inspired Word would reveal the secret, “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, look and you shall see, knock and it will be opened.”

Isaac newton was once asked why he was so much greater than others in his particular science. His response, “I do not know, except I, perhaps, pay more attention they do.”

The lazy get nothing. The shut eye sees nothing. Oh Lord, open my eyes that I might see!

Your double share is achieved by your watchful spirit.

Peace Doubled Is Our Prize Confirmed

Isaiah 26:3 says this, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.”

The word “perfect” is not in the Hebrew text, so it should really read, “Peace Peace”... The word peace doubled to denote the certainty of it. The abundance of it!

Peace described by Charles Spurgeon is, “... an absence of all war, and of all alarm of war… No sign of adversary can be discovered but all is peace.”

Peace = a state of quiet or tranquility, freedom from disturbance or agitation, freedom from war, freedom from internal commotion, freedom from private quarrels, quietness of mind, heavenly rest, the happiness of heaven, harmony, freedom from the disturbance of passions including fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like.

Such a different station of existence than what is accustomed within a worldly mindset.

Peace. It is obtainable when our soul focus is on Christ. When we remain “fixed” and “settled” in our faith. When, like the KJV says, our thoughts are “stayed” on Him.

My commentary says that if we as believers in Jesus do not usually enjoy peace, the blame must be laid at our own door. Peace is a fruit of the spirit given as a gift, but must be activated by us. And the way we activate peace is by resting in His goodness.. reclining in His love. It’s surrendering our wills and casting the weight of all our worry on His promises such as He will never leave us or forsake us and He’s working out all things for our good and God’s glory. It’s having sure confidence in the Father and relying on His strength and His ability to handle everything that comes my way. It’s choosing to occupy our minds with thoughts of His faithfulness, holding captive all fear and worry and anxiety, which has no place in the life of a believer destined for heaven.

“ an absence of all war, and of all alarm of war...”. So there must be a shift in thought here. Because it’s not just the absence of war (struggle, anxiety, conflict, hostility), but of all ALARM of war. I must disarm my anxious thoughts and command them to align with the peaceful disposition Christ died for me to have.

Peace doubled is our prize confirmed!

The Two Best Questions I Can Ask

Ahh yes. 

Yes!! 

The best question is not, “Why?” or “What will they think about this?” or “How could this be?” The greatest questions to ask when we’re unsure or scared or concerned about what lies ahead are: “What can this mean?” and “What must I do?”

What can this mean?
What does God’s word say about this? What plan and purpose does He have in this?
What is it that God is trying to tell/show me?
 
What must I do?
What action step in faith should I be taking?
What must I do in order to move forward?
What’s my responsibility?

This thought process truly changes everything!

The Extent of our Effectiveness

John 14:12 says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father.”

“Believe” is a key word here. Believing is the great antidote to the trouble heart… The sure way of knowing the Father. Belief is the better substitute for sight.

The disciples were afraid of Jesus’ departure from them. They believed this meant the activity of their lives would cease. That His voice would be now silent and that they’d be left to navigate the stormy waters all alone.

But Jesus is reminding His students here that He will be as constant of a friend to them from heaven as He ever was here on earth. He was consoling them in their grief that only by His absence could the Holy Spirit come to take up residence in their hearts.

Jesus’ word choice here, “greater” doesn’t mean that they’d have higher power, but a wider extent of influence. The apostles were to become greater only by means of extending the gospel to the ends of the earth. And this was to be done all through the power of the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). The focus here is on spiritual matters more than physical miracles.

I love how Jesus leaves us the example as He was entirely focused on the will and the glory of the Father. My commentary says, “What matters it who is the visible hand?” Jesus knew that His 3-year ministry was no comparison to the world-changing impact the multitude of passionate pursuers could have. The word greater here is in direct relation to the impression His miracles and teachings would have on mankind.

One example witnessed in scripture is Peter’s shadow bringing healing to the sick (John 5). Ahh... Jesus’ faithfulness in His departing words commissioning us to works of great influence and genuine impact.

The extent of our effectiveness is made greater by His ever loving endowment.

Resurrection Isn't Possible Without Death

1 Corinthians 15:36 says, “... when you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first.” John 12:24 says, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But it’s death will produce many kernels… a plentiful harvest of new lives.”

And the truth really is that a kernel of wheat yields no increase unless it’s cast into the ground. So death is necessary to the perpetuation of life. Perpetuation involves development. Development is not automatic but rather the consequence of a creative act of God.

There are things in our lives that we must be willing to have die in order to grow, flourish, bloom, and multiply. Resurrection isn’t possible without death. Death to selfishness, death to sluggishness, death to stubbornness. It’s what I’m learning daily. Plant (die) >> Grow >> Bloom.

But...

Development demands death.
Death is the most unlikeliest road to life, “lose your life, find your life”, but... dissolution is necessary for reproduction.

Resurrection isn’t possible without death!
“... when you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it DIES first.”
No increase unless its cast into the ground.

And so maybe I came to die?

Because each and every one of us must choose to die every single day. We must determine those things that have held us back for far too long now… And we must decide what is in need of dying off in order to make us alive! Alive in Him!

I Call, He Comes

Joel 2:32 says, “But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion and Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors from the Lord has called.”

To “call” upon the name of the Lord implies right faith to call upon Him as He is… leaning upon Him… with right devotion. Whoever, in true faith, has in this life, “worshiped God” shall be delivered.

Delivered means freed, released, transferred or transmitted, rescued. When we call upon the Lord, we escape the terrors that await those who reject the truth.

Luke 21:36 tells us, “Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

And calling on Him is not only to be done with words, but with the heart and with action also. For what the heart believes, the mouth confesses, and the hand in action fulfills.

Our good God will never deny us if we call upon His name. We can test Him in this. He’s bringing deliverance upon us even now!

Charles Spurgeon says, “When the need of deliverance shall apparently be increased, the abundance of salvation shall increase with it. Fear not the direst of all wars, the bitterest of all famines, the deadliest of all plagues; for still, if we call upon the Lord, He has pledged to deliver us. The word of promise meets the most terrible of possibilities with a sure salvation.”

And to call upon His name is to know the power contained within that name! Certainly the more you are familiar with Him, the easier His name will flow from our mouths.

His plan of deliverance is a promise. He says that we will be saved. That is a irrevocable, unalterable, and unquestionable! We are the beggar and He is the benefactor. When we are in danger, He is our deliver.

All we need to do is trust Him and beg of Him. Spurgeon continues, “He asks nothing of you but that you ask everything of Him!”

I call, He comes.