Kathy — Matt.5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Let’s read it like this: Blessed are they who stay positioned in God-purpose even through contrary winds. Blessed are they who align with God’s character when they are ridiculed for it. Blessed are they who tirelessly remain faithful when compromise would be such a relief.
We are part of a great plan of God that has been intricately designed from before the foundation of the world. Added to the dimension of personal issues and concerns is the dimension that each of us has a part to play out in that great design. Eph.2:10, TPT — “We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!.” Those who stay the course AND those who do not will both have an effect. (2Tim.4:10)
Kathy — Seems the norm is to run into another battle on the way to battle. Jesus had to deal with His own disciples’ betrayal on His way to the cross. David dealt with his brother Eliab’s disdain before Goliath. I don’t doubt that first skirmish turns out to be prep for the second. Think of it as building a battle momentum so you can show up with an already bloody, intimidating sword! Jer.12:5, The Message — “So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?”
Chipmunks and birds gather up provisions in preparation for the coming season, so there is built into each season an opportunity to prepare for the coming season. Part of staying the course includes preparation for the next season. The enemy of our destiny is hoping that we will become so focused on the factors that have put us in the present strain that we will not prepare for the season to come. Prov.24:27, Amplified — “Prepare your work outside And get it ready for yourself in the field; Afterward build your house and establish a home.”
Kathy — Battle heats up by reason of the needed outcome. Heat determines the strength of a weld, so does the intensity of battle establish the strength and longevity of the victory. The vehemence of battle welds the outcome in undeniable purpose rather than just leaving us with fragmented memories of war. Heat is one of the components of long-term victory and intense battle yields intensely awesome results! Ps.18:39, Amplified Version — “For You have encircled me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.”
As the people of God assemble today may they experience the elation and joy of realizing that, in the moment of praise and hearing the Word of God, they have won battles over satan. May they experience the lifting of burdens and lifting of the weightiness of despair. Ps.68:19-20, The Passion Translation — “What a glorious God! He gives us salvation over and over, then daily he carries our burdens! Pause in his presence. 20 Our God is a mighty God who saves us over and over! For the Lord, Yahweh, rescues us from the ways of death many times.”
Melissa — Let’s look at “Call to me and I will answer you” through a modern American paradigm: I call on the Lord and He will answer – I will tell Him what I need and He will give it to me because He is a loving God. You know, kind of like curbside grocery delivery. I took the time to get my list together and I took the time to call about this list. Now, it’s on Him to deliver! I’m afraid we North Americans operate out of an entitled mindset not only in our relationship with earthlings, but also in our relationship with God. If I call on Him then ________ (insert pre-determined answer here). The problem with an entitled relationship with God is where the entitlement is rooted. If it is rooted in the Spirit, according to the covenant, then it will put you in a posture of dominion. If, however, it is rooted in the soul then it will hold you in a victimized defensive posture. The soul will keep you chained out of reach of God’s original intent which is indeed dominion. Or said another way, the soul will keep you from being heaven on earth.
Kathy — We can choose to get over painful blows and hurt feelings and refuse to allow them to become offense and self-pity. One way to overcome them is to use anger rather than lie down in it. Ephesians 4:26 – ”Be angry and do not sin…”. It doesn’t tell us NOT to get angry. It tells us when we get angry, 1) resolve it rightly, 2) resolve it quickly, and 3) don’t do anything in the process that gives up ground you’ll have to win back later.
When walking through a season, wouldn’t it be best if we got all we could out of it so that we don’t have to go through another one just like it? It may not be possible for some of us to get through the experiences that course will take us through while maintaining our same old paradigms about who God is and how God works. One purpose of seasons is likely to open up a wider revelation of who God is and what His ways are and how we are to participate with Him. Ps.25:4, TPT — “Lord, direct me throughout my journey so I can experience your plans for my life. Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you.”
Kathy — The Holy Spirit has been emphasizing a two-sided weapon, discernment and wisdom. We must have discernment so that we can cut through the fog of emotions and opinions that arise during change and growth. Discernment will keep us from standing against the changes that God is bringing to His church and our lives. We need discernment to choose righteously and then we need wisdom to know how to walk out our choices. Js.1:5, TPT — “And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.”
The month of December is for recommitting ourselves to prayer for one another and matters that matter. It seems to be easy to fall out of the habit of regular prayer when the stuff of life happens and pulls on us and disappoints us and distracts us. But we can refocus and return to (or begin) the all-important discipline of regular prayer in December. Eph.6:18, Amp — “With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.” 1Tim.2:8, Amp — “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind].”
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