MUST I ALWAYS LISTEN?

MUST I ALWAYS LISTEN?

Life is a series of important lessons, either revealed through random experiences, or channeled through advising voices that fall into two categories: those we should carefully attend to and those we should totally ignore.

Once upon a time there was a group of tiny frogs that arranged an athletic competition.  Their goal was to see who would be the first to reach the apex of an extremely high tower.  A huge crowd gathered around the tower to observe the race and cheer on the contestants.

However, this race commenced with an overcast of strong corporate doubt.  That is, no one in the crowd believed that the tiny frogs would ever reach the top of tower.  Negative statements abounded: “They will never make it!”  “Fat chance even one will succeed!”  “That tower is much too high!”

True to the predictions of the crowd, those tiny frogs began collapsing, one by one, except for a few who in fresh tempo were climbing higher and higher.

Intermittently, the crowd still yelled, “It’s too difficult!  You won’t make it!”

More and more tiny frogs became discouraged, exhausted, or simply gave up.  Nevertheless, one continued to climb higher and higher and higher.  It seemed this unlikely climber just wouldn’t quit, despite her skeptics and naysayers.

At the end, everyone else had given up climbing the tower, except for that one tiny frog.  After a monumental and heroic effort, she was the only one who managed to reach the top!  Naturally, all the other frogs (both those who competed and those who observed) wanted to know how this one little frog could manage to scale such insurmountable heights.  

When a fellow contestant inquired as to how she had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal, she just seemed to ignore her questioner.  After a long pause, the whole crowd had a light bulb moment.  It turned out that the winner of the competition was totally deaf!

Bottom-line: Never ever listen to other people who are negative or pessimistic because they will take away your most wonderful dreams and desires, the ones you hold closest to your heart!  

All through life, keep on dreaming and keep on daring.  And while you are climbing, focus solely on the voice of The Paraclete, The One who walks alongside for your edification, direction and comfort. (John 14:26 – John 15:26 – John 16:13-14)  In the words of Jesus Christ, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27, NKJV)

Incidentally, you may also wisely attend to the encouraging whispers of like minded believers whom HE sends and anoints as covenant partners.  To all others, turn a deaf ear, and keep on scaling your mountain.  You can (and you will) make it.  Sisters and brother, be continually blessed!

A REASONABLE PERSPECTIVE

A REASONABLE PERSPECTIVE

Achieving joy and contentment in life is relatively simple.  Of course, it involves complete commitment to Christ as our sure and steadfast foundation.  Beyond that, there is the need to maintain perspective, the art of viewing life through the wisdom lens of The Word, which will keep us focused, grounded and balanced.

A close friend once offered this advice: “To gain a reasonable degree of life fulfillment, there are three rules.  The first rule says we must follow the second rule.  The second rule says don’t take yourself too seriously.  And the third rule says there is no other rule aside from the second rule.”

While life is likely more complicated than that statement, it represents a rather reasonable and practical viewpoint.  Attitude counts, much more than we may ever know.  So…we should never take ourselves so seriously that we cannot smile during momentary setbacks, disappointments or failures.  We all have our challenging moments, don’t we?  But whenever I find myself obsessing over some unchangeable circumstance, I remind the man in the mirror: ‘SMILE…it’s not that serious.”  Is there any supporting evidence?  Of course!  The sun rose this morning.  It will set this evening.  And it will certainly rise again tomorrow morning…regardless of our individual or collective experiences.

Don’t worry so much.  God’s got your back.  It will all work out in the end.  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!

A GENTLE THUNDER

(Monday) 28 April 2014 ~ Daily Devotional of Pastor Wayne M. Bass

A GENTLE THUNDER

Many people expect to discern the will of God, i.e. to hear His voice, via audacious and awesome manifestations of power that loudly shake their world to gain their attention.  I tend to look for God in the quiet places.  May I remind you that hidden within every human storm are supernatural quiet places?  Consider the Prophet Elijah’s encounter with God.

I Kings 19:9-12 (NKJV)

⁹ And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

¹⁰ So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

¹¹ Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 

¹² and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

Max Lucado, author of “A Gentle Thunder: Hearing God Through the Storm,” penned the following story that mirrors the experiences of Elijah:

Once there was a man who dared God to speak.

“Burn the bush like you did for Moses, God and I will follow.
Collapse the walls like you did for Joshua, God and I will fight.
Still the waves like you did on Galilee, God and I will listen.”

And so the man went and sat by a bush, near a wall, close to the sea and waited for God to speak.

And God heard the man, So God answered.
He sent fire, not for the bush, but for a church.
He brought down a wall, not of brick, but of sin.
He stilled a storm, not of the sea, but of a soul.

And God waited for the man to respond.
And he waited...
And waited...
And waited...

But because the man was looking at bushes, not hearts; bricks, not lives; and seas, not souls, he decided that God had done nothing.
Finally he looked at God and asked, “Have you lost your power?”
And God looked at him and said, “Have you lost your hearing?”

Before you arrive at the emotional and erroneous conclusion that God does not care or that He is inattentive to your concerns or needs, start listening more carefully.  Our God is Jehovah-Shammah, which simply means that He is [always] there. (Ezekiel 48:35 – Matthew 28:20)  If you are not hearing Him, you must scripturally examine your actions, your attitudes, your motives, your very heart; and, you must eliminate any background noises and spiritual barriers that block His voice.  Listen, sisters and brothers…and be continually blessed!

DON'T BE AFRAID TO GRASP THE NEXT TRAPEZE BAR

DON’T BE AFRAID TO GRASP THE NEXT TRAPEZE BAR

In 1981, when my daughter, Kim, was just 5½ years old, I remember taking her to see the Barnum and Bailey Circus, a.k.a. “The Greatest Show on Earth.”  I had recently enlisted in the U.S. Army and would be absent for an extended period, so I needed to know that Kim understood (as best she could) and would be all right.  What I witnessed at the circus that afternoon is an intriguing metaphor for this journey called life.

Trapeze artists fascinate me.  They literally fly through the air, performing acrobatic somersaults and daring dives, with a degree of confidence that exceeds their dangerous circumstances.  What strikes me most is this: In order to get to the next segment of their performance, they have to let go of their present position of security and literally execute leaps of faith from/to rapidly moving trapeze bars.  The challenge is obvious.  The bar they presently occupy is moving quickly and the bar of their destination is moving quickly, so their maneuver requires split-second timing and nerves of steel.  Moreover, many trapeze artists operate without the safety of a net.  If they miscalculate their location or speed, by even a hair, or the location and speed of the bar that is traveling toward them, they could plunge tragically to their deaths.

It occurs to me that life (and faith) operate in similar fashion.  At times, we are quite literally overwhelmed by pre-occupying thoughts of the next.  Will I make the proper connection?  Will I be o.k.?  Will my family be secure?  What are the trade-offs involved in my decision?  What will be the cost of my failure, or my success?

In the words of the Danish theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, sometimes we must make “an existential leap of faith.”  If we remain on the trapeze bar that we presently occupy, we will likely be safe and secure.  But we will simply go on swinging, back and forth, with no forward movement, no progress, no purpose.

Transitions are tough.  But they knock at the door with strategic traveling companions: purpose and destiny.

If I may be permitted to wax worldly for one moment, let’s consider “The Gambler,” a song popularized by country-western singer, Kenny Rogers.  Success in life is sometimes predicated on the basic wisdom of knowing “when to hold ‘em” and “when to fold ‘em”…being aware enough and courageous enough to “know when to walk away and when to run.”  Of course, I make no suggestion here life is a card game or that you choose to become a quitter.  For, in the words of my high school football coach, Joe Gladys, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win!”

Nevertheless, you may arrive at a point in life where a change of venue is required.  So never be afraid to  make a leap of faith from the trapeze bar you presently occupy, as long as you are confident (with clear confirmation) that it is the perfect will of God.  In my youth, we sang a hymn, “If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go…anywhere.”  Think. 

Do you need more help?  Here it is.  Don’t worry; don’t stress.  Prayer and the Word are your unfailing tools for identifying and grasping that divinely intended trapeze bar, the perfect will of God.  Incidentally, GOD is your safety net.  He’s always got your back.  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!

MOTHER, MAY I?

(Wednesday) 23 April 2014 ~ Daily Devotional of Pastor Wayne M. Bass

MOTHER, MAY I?

As young children, we occasionally played a game that centered around a genteel question: “MOTHER, MAY I?” In hindsight, I suppose this game had been invented by some skillful parent who sought to teach her children two important life skills, being polite and observing boundaries.

Here’s how the game was played. One child (regardless of gender) volunteered to serve as ‘MOTHER’ and the others positioned themselves in a horizontal line, about 20 feet (6 meters) from the game leader. The MOTHER would then choose one of her playmates and say something like this: “Tony, you may take three giant-steps forward.” Before doing so, the child-player had to respond, “MOTHER, MAY I?”

The MOTHER would try to make the game interesting by varying both the NUMBER and KIND of steps that would be taken, e.g. “Wesley, you may take two scissors-steps,” (or) “Doris, you may take four baby-steps” (or) “Marvin, you may take three kangaroo-steps.” There seemed to be an unlimited variety of movements one might be called upon to take, e.g. twirly-steps, turtle-steps, umbrella-steps, jumping jack-steps, even side-steps.

While this game might sound overly simplistic, it had rather intriguing possibilities. Of course, the child who successfully reached and touched MOTHER would win and thus serve as leader in the next round. But here’s what made the game truly interesting. In the excitement of the moment, a child could sometimes forget to say “MOTHER, MAY I?” and this would cause them to be sent all the way back to his/her starting point. In fact, a child could just about be in position to reach out and touch MOTHER, but the thrill of that moment might generate a memory lapse, which would require a brand new start.

This game was not only fun, it was loaded with spiritual applications. For as believers in the Kingdom of God, our success is intrinsically tied to our willingness and consistency in ASKING (not necessarily the Mother), but THE FATHER, for purpose, permission and power. Only under the direction and authority of THE FATHER may we successfully “live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) It’s a tough lesson to learn for us independent thinkers, or so it seems.

Here’s our practical dilemma. In the excitement of life’s various and sundry moments, we sometimes forget or we fail to ask, “FATHER, MAY I?” As a result, we suffer tremendous reversals. Sometimes, it feels like we are way back at the beginning, starting our journey all over again.

The Apostle James said it best: “You HAVE NOT because you ASK NOT.” (James 4:2) James was not referring to asking for THINGS, as many might suppose, but he was referring to seeking the perfect will of God. James was advising us to proactively receive GOD’S INTENTIONAL DESIGN FOR LIFE FULFILLMENT, which may only be derived from seeking HIM, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and HIS KINGDOM. (Psalm 27:8 – Philippians 3:10 – Matthew 6:33)

Before you make your next move, ask HIM for wisdom, direction and timing. “FATHER, MAY I?” Our Father will surely make life more interesting by varying both the NUMBER and KIND of steps that may be personally taken.  And, if you approach Him with heart-sincerity, i.e. a genuine desire to apprehend and actualize His perfect will, sooner or later (invariably and inevitably) you will be in such close proximity that you may easily REACH and TOUCH Him. Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!

YOU LOOK AND FEEL BETTER...PRAISING HIM!

YOU LOOK AND FEEL BETTER…PRAISING HIM!

Praise and worship are divine mandates for every believer in Christ Jesus.  Our life situations are miraculously transformed whenever we usher in the presence of the Lord.  In the words of the psalmist, David, “But thou art holy…thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3)  In God’s presence is “fullness of joy” and at His right hand “there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)  Prayerfully consider the following scripture verses that testify to the necessity and blessing of praise:

Psalm 150:6

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

Psalm 34:3

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 147:1

Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 

Since it is an indisputable fact that ALMIGHTY GOD inhabits our praises, let’s extend a most cordial invitation to HIM through our praise and worship on this day.  You may know all (or only some) of the following praise and worship songs, but let’s “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” (Psalm 95:1 – Psalm 98:4 – Psalm 100:1)   Let’s sing together to Him, shall we?  As we bask in His presence and glory, it will certainly be a blessing to us.

YOU ARE ALPHA AND OMEGA

You are Alpha and Omega…We worship You, Our Lord…You are worthy to be praised!

We give You all the glory…We worship You, Our Lord…You are worthy to be praised!

LORD, I WILL LIFT MINE EYES TO THE HILLS

Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills…

Knowing my help…is coming from You…

Your peace you give me…in times of the storm…

You are the Source of my strength…

You are the Strength of my life…

I lift my hands in total praise to You!

DAILY I WILL WORSHIP THEE

Daily I will worship Thee…

Lamb of God – Who – died for me…

Who extended endless mercy…

Daily I will worship Thee.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD

How great…is our God…sing with me…

How great…is our God…all will see…

How great…how great…is our God.

You’re the Name above all names…

You are worthy to be praised…

My heart will sing, “How great…is our God.”

GIVE THANKS

Give thanks with a grateful heart…give thanks to the Holy One…

Give thanks for He has given Jesus Christ, His Son…

And now…let the weak say I am strong…let the poor say I am rich…

Because of what…the Lord has done…for us…Give thanks!

I LOVE YOU

I love You…I love You…I love You, Lord, today…

Because You cared for me…in such a special way…

And, yes, I praise You…I lift You up…I magnify Your name…

That’s why my heart is filled with praise.

My heart, my soul, my mind belongs to You…

You paid the price for me…way back on Calvary…

And, yes, I praise You…I lift You up…I magnify Your name…

That’s why my heart is filled with praise.

YOU DESERVE THE GLORY

You deserve the glory…and the honor…

Lord, we lift our hands and worship…

As we praise Your Holy Name…

You deserve the glory…and the honor…

Lord, we lift our hands and worship…

As we praise Your Holy Name…

YOU are great…You do miracles so great…

There is no one else like You… [There is no one else like YOU]

YOU are great…You do miracles so great…

There is no one else like You…

There is…no…one…else…like…You!

HERE I AM TO WORSHIP

Here I am to worship…Here I am to bow down…

Here I am to say that You’re my God…

You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy…

Altogether wonderful to me.

I’ll never know how much it cost…

To see my sins upon that cross…

I’ll never know how much it cost…

To see my sins upon that cross.

BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP HIM

Bow down and worship Him…worship Him…O worship Him…

Bow down and worship Him…worship Him…O worship Him…

Consuming fire…sweet perfume…

His awesome presence fills this room…

This is holy ground…

So come and bow down.

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Be still and know that I am God…

Be still and know that I am God…

Be still and know that I am God.

I AM THE LORD WHO HEALETH THEE

I am the Lord who healeth thee…

I am the Lord, thy Healer…

I sent my Word and healed your disease…

I am the Lord, thy Healer.

ONLY YOU ARE HOLY

Only You are holy…Only You are worthy…Only You are wonderful…

For there’s no one else like You…Who is faithful, ever true…

All my love, my life, my heart…is a testimony…

Only You are holy.

IT’S A NEW SEASON

It’s a new season…it’s a new day…

A fresh anointing is flowing my way…

It’s a season of power…and prosperity…

It’s a new season…and it’s coming to me!

DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU

Draw me close to You…never let me go…

I lay it all down again…to hear You say that I’m your friend…

You are my desire…no one else will do…

No one else can take Your place…to feel the warmth of Your embrace…

Help me find my way…bring me back to You.

Thy will be done…Thy will be done…

Thy will be done, Lord, in me…in me…

‘Cause I’ve seen You work in others…

And I want You to work in me…

‘Cause I’ve seen You work in others…

And I want You to work in me.

JUST TO BE CLOSE TO YOU

Just to be close to You…

Just to be close to You…

Just to be close to You…is my desire!

Sisters and brothers, you look so much better and you feel so much better whenever you are praising Him.  So for the rest of this day, and for the rest of your life, “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.” (Psalm 33:1)  Be continually blessed!

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part XVII)

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part XVII)

In our portrait of the person and work of Jesus Christ, we have highlighted The Passion of Jesus Christ, detailing His betrayal, isolation, rejection, judgment, humiliation, derision, chastisement, satanic attacks and death by crucifixion.  In the final installment of this extended devotional series, we will examine the Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus Christ.

During the forty day period following His resurrection, there were numerous occasions when Jesus Christ appeared dramatically to His disciples, manifesting tangible confirmations that He was indeed alive and had totally triumphed over Satan, sin, death, hell and the grave.

On Resurrection Sunday, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James), Joanna, “and other women that were with them.”  (Mark 16:9 – Matthew 28:9 – Luke 24:10)  They were commissioned to share the good news with His eleven remaining disciples.

Hearing this news, Peter raced to the sepulcher.  On the road to Emmaus, Jesus appeared and conversed with two of His followers, Peter and Cleopas, who did not immediately recognize Him.  Jesus expounded the scriptures to them, explaining how the Son of God had suffered and entered into His glory.  Dr. Luke outlined their encounter with Christ.  Here is how it ended:

Luke 24:28-35 (NKJV)

²⁸ Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. ²⁹ But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. ³⁰ Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.  32 And they said one to another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"   35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

That same Sunday evening, Jesus appeared to ten of His disciples.  Judas was deceased; Thomas was absent.

John 20:19-20 (NKJV)

¹⁹ Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them,  “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Eight days later, Jesus appeared again to His disciples, Thomas being present.

John 20:26-28 (NKJV)

²⁶ And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” ²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” ²⁸ And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

While seven of the disciples were fishing on the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus appeared and performed a miracle of abundance.  Obeying the directives of Jesus, they caught 153 huge fish and dined sumptuously with The Master.  “This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.” (John 21:14)  On various occasions, by eating food with His disciples and by appearing/vanishing before their eyes, Jesus displayed certain characteristics of His post-resurrection body, which believers will also possess after His second coming. (I Corinthians 15:50-55)

The Apostle Paul also recorded an occasion when Jesus was seen by “five hundred brethren at once,” indicating that His appearances were not limited to the inner circle of disciples, but occurred publicly. (I Corinthians 15:6)  Paul also records Christ’s private appearances to James and to himself (on the road to Damascus), “as one born out of due time.” (I Corinthians 15:7-8 – Acts 9:1-5)

Jesus also appeared to eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee.  “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:16-17)  There they received the apostolic authority to evangelize the entire world, known to us today as The Great Commission.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In the prologue to The Acts of the Apostles, Dr. Luke records the final appearance, impartation and instruction of Jesus Christ:

Acts 1:1-9 (NKJV)

¹ The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, ² until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, ³ to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. ⁴ And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; ⁵ for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ⁶ Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. ⁸ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹ Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!  Whenever I reflect upon the life and legacy of Jesus Christ, I stand in awe of Him.  It is my hope that this series has offered some degree of insight and inspiration to every reader.  It is my prayer that we will walk daily in the love, grace, mercy, humility, power and authority of the Risen Savior.  And may we always live in His righteousness and with earnest expectation of His imminent return. (Titus 2:11-13)  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part XVI)

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part XVI)

In our portrait of the person and work of Jesus Christ, we have highlighted The Passion of Jesus Christ, dramatically unveiled via His betrayal, isolation, rejection, judgment, humiliation, derision, chastisement, satanic attacks and death by crucifixion.  Today, we rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which was celebrated yesterday by multiplied millions of believers around the world.

The story of the resurrection is well known to every believer; therefore, I will not delineate details.  However, I will explore the implications of the resurrection.  Why?  As I ponder ‘current goings-on’ in the institutional church, I wonder if we adequately apprehend the lessons of the cross and the resurrection.  Case in point…here is what GOD says about the spiritual status of repentant sinners:

Hebrews 10:16-17 (KJV)

¹⁶ This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

¹⁷ And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Here is what WE have to say: ‘The church needs to do background checks to see who qualifies.’

Question: If GOD has forgotten, why are we so prone to remembering?  While I am cognizant that wisdom dictates avoiding the placement of people with certain challenges into certain positions (e.g. it would seem imprudent to appoint a former pedophile as director of children’s ministries), we have stretched this strategy to a point that exceeds the very grace of God.  How so?  Consider this: If ALMIGHTY GOD processed (and dealt with) people like we do, Moses might have been permanently disqualified from leading and liberating the Israelites from Egyptian bondage because he was a murderer, a convicted felon.  Things that make you go “hmmmm!”

Although the institutional church actively teaches grace, sometimes our practice is diametrically opposite.  Albeit, the all “wise GOD” is much more intelligent than we. (Jude 1:25 – I Timothy 1:17)  In His divine economy, “GOD has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” (I Corinthians 1:27, NKJV)  This is the underlying theological truth in Paul’s self-reflective statement, “when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:10)  We are asking the wrong qualifying questions.  The issue should never be where and what you have been in your past, but who you are and Whose you are in your present and future.

I love the irony of God!  Spiritual strength is perennially perfected in the cauldron of human weakness.  The result?  Believers become power tools in the hands of GOD, with the recognition that “we have this treasure [His Holy Spirit] in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of GOD and not of us.” (II Corinthians 4:7)  As such, it is never about you or me; it’s all about HIM.

Out of this recognition rises the revelation that Resurrection Power is our heritage and our inheritance.  WE get up because HE got up!  Always remember that.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is “the firstfruits of them that slept,” is a clear indicator that we will one day be raised by Him. (I Corinthians 15:20 – I Corinthians 15:50-52)  Nevertheless, the day-to-day significance and application of resurrection power is equally important.  It means that fallen folks can be fully delivered from the penalty, power and practice of sin.  It also means that no one has the right to retain what Christ has remitted on Calvary.  “Because I live, “declares Jesus, “you will live also.” (John 14:19)  Resurrection Power is our heritage and our inheritance.

Stay tuned as we conclude our devotional series on tomorrow with an examination of the Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus Christ.  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!