Monday, July 2, 2018

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part I)

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part I)

Friend of mine, no matter how long you have known God, or how well you have known God, or how great you conceive Him to be, GOD IS SIGNIFICANTLY BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!

According to the Apostle Paul, OUR GOD “is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20, NKJV) That’s actually ALL we need to know about GOD’S SUPERNATURAL CAPABILITIES and THE POWER THAT WE POSSESS IN HIM!

One intriguing aspect of GOD’S POWER is the simple fact that GOD KNOWS and GOD PLANS our ENDING from the BEGINNING.  Through the Prophet Jeremiah, our God declares “I KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT I HAVE TOWARD YOU, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU AN EXPECTED END.” (Jeremiah 29:11) That’s absolutely amazing!  Isn’t it awe-inspiring and comforting to know that GOD makes plans and set purposes for us long before our conception and birth?  God affirms this fact through His Prophet: “Before I formed you in the womb I KNEW YOU; before you were born I SANCTIFIED YOU [I set you apart].” (Jeremiah 1:5)

Why is this so significant?  Well, the Word declares that we have an adversary, Satan, a.k.a. the devil.  So we must diligently “guard our hearts” against “his devices.” (Philippians 4:7 and II Corinthians 2:11) Now hear this!  Allowing satanic impressions to fester and grow in our minds is typically the result of two things: LACKING KNOWLEDGE OF (AND FAITH IN) GOD’S WORD. 

Allow me to illustrate.  According to Moses’ description of Satan in the biblical book of Genesis, he strolls into the Garden of Eden as a SLENDER SERPENT.  When the Apostle Paul characterizes him (millennia later), Satan appears as a ROARING LION, seeking whom he may devour.  Indeed, he seems to be greatly growing and developing – all the way from the guise of a slender serpent to the appearance of a roaring lion!  By the time the Apostle John gains a glimpse of him (in the biblical book of Revelation), Satan is portrayed as a GREAT DRAGON!

Consider that for a moment.  If Satan is growing and gaining in strength and power, SOMEBODY MUST BE FEEDING HIM!  I’ll let you in on the menu of his satanic buffet.  Satan is sustained, satisfied, nurtured and nourished by FEAR.  Listen with your spirit.  FEAR is not only the polar opposite of FAITH.  In its twisted and distorted way, FEAR WORKS EQUALLY TO, AND EFFECTIVELY AS, FAITH!  How so?  Because FEAR IS A CREATIVE FORCE THAT CULTIVATES AND GROWS A full HARVEST OF DOUBT AND UNBELIEF.  This principle is so important that it must be repeated.  FEAR WORKS EQUALLY TO, AND EFFECTIVELY AS, FAITH BECAUSE FEAR IS A CREATIVE FORCE THAT CULTIVATES AND GROWS A FULL HARVEST OF DOUBT AND UNBELIEF!

Although that might be one’s current situation, here is the spiritual solution.  “GOD has not given us the SPIRIT OF FEAR, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.” (II Timothy 1:7) Remember this: “GOD IS LOVE.” (I John 4:16)  Whenever we are RESTING AND RESIDING IN GOD, that is, INSIDE HIS LOVE, there is no space or place for fear.  According to the Apostle John, “There is NO FEAR IN LOVE; but PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR, because fear involves torment.” (I John 4:18) God’s bottom-line favors us.  Indeed, the believer’s heritage is an enduring liberation from doubt and anxiety.  FREEDOM FROM FEAR!  NO CHRONIC WORRIES!  WOW!

Here’s an important point to ponder.  WHY, then, are we so afraid?  And precisely WHAT are we so afraid of?  KINGDOM NEWS FLASH: SATAN IS ALREADY DEFEATED!  As a matter of fact, through the SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY you now possess as a DISCIPLE OF THE RISEN CHRIST and a CITIZEN OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, Satan is already “UNDER YOUR FEET.” (Romans 16:20) Tell that devilish critter to take a thousand seats and talk to the shoe leather on the soles of your feet!  He is already doomed, damned, destroyed, cursed and cast down.  After all is said and done, GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU than he that is in the world! (I John 4:4)

Positionally speaking, we are IN CHRIST.  Therefore, we are in full possession and command of THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM.  JESUS CHRIST who cannot lie, JESUS CHRIST who is “THE TRUTH,” declares unto us: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and WHATEVER YOU BIND ON EARTH will be bound in heaven, and WHATEVER YOU LOOSE ON EARTH will be loosed in heaven.”  (John 14:6 and Matthew 16:19) Believer, you already have your KINGDOM KEYS.  USE THEM!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

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