The Cinderella Church

We all know the story of Cinderella. It is one that can serve as a great metaphor and illustrate God's heart toward us - His church and children. Many of us may know the story by heart, however, if you are like me and either haven't read it or seen the Disney version of it in several years, here is a brief recap:

There once was a widower who had a kind and sweet daughter (named Cinderella) from his first marriage. The widower was married to a vain and proud woman who had two daughters of her own, equally as vain and proud as their mother. The step-mother and step-sisters reduced Cinderella into being a domestic slave. One day, the Prince of the kingdom announced he was having a ball from which he would chose a young bride. All the young women of the realm were invited. Cinderella, who dreamed of going to the ball, instead had to help her step-sisters prepare for it. They mocked and ridiculed Cinderella, telling her that the Prince would probably chose one of them and that a servant girl could never attend the ball. Therefore, Cinderella was sentenced to stay at home, forfeit her dreams, and live in perpetual servitude.

Once Cinderella's sisters left for the ball, she wept. However, in response to her tears, her Fairy Godmother magically appeared and vowed to help her. Common items like a pumpkin, rat, mice and a lizard were turned into a stately coach, uniformed coachman, well groomed horses and a footman. Rags were turned into an awesomely beautiful gown, along with the famous (no air cushion support or orthodically engineered) glass slippers. Cinderella goes to the ball, becomes the talk of the town, and captures the Prince's heart, as both of them dance the night away. Unfortunately, time marches on during the biggest evening of Cinderella's life, and she finds that she must leave in a rush - just as the clock begins to strike 12 midnight; the time she was warned by her Fairy Godmother that all the magically transformed finery would revert back into common things. In her flight, she left behind one of her glass slippers. Then after the Prince, who knows that he found the woman of his dreams, sets out on a search using the glass slipper to identify the owner and his future bride. The story ends with Cinderella, the once disdained and ill-treated outcast servant, identified as being the owner of the glass slipper and the woman who would become the future Princess. Great story! Not a guy story, but you have to admit, a great story!

Remember Israel, reduced to bitter slavery in Egypt (Exodus 1:11, 14)? They were in absolute utter bondage and despair with no possible hope or future. Like Cinderella, the Israelites were reduced to servitude under cruel masters. However, while Cinderella had a Fairy Godmother, the Israelites had God who loved and cared for them. God said enough is enough, raised up a deliverer, Moses, judged the evil oppressors and set His people free (Exodus 2-12). Throughout scripture, we see numerous accounts when God released His people from captivity. As a matter of fact, the list is almost endless (God rescued Noah, Lot, sent numerous Judges to fight for and free Israel, King David vs. Goliath and others, Esther, and then our Lord and Savior Jesus).

The Bible says in Micah 4: 7: "I will make the lame a remnant, the outcast a strong nation; so the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever." Our God has a heart for the lost, destitute, outcasts, lepers and the lame. He makes the "nothings" of this world into "somethings". He makes us, His children, to be His most treasured possession. He builds us up in Him, gives us a new identity and rules our lives by His Spirit with wisdom, power and strength.

In Matthew 22:1-14 and Luke 14:16-24, Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who arranged a marriage for his son. He sent servants out to call those who were invited, but they refused to come... Again, he sent out servants imploring them to come, but they made light of it and went their own ways. Then the king became angry and told the servants to go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. The king compelled the people to come in that his house would be filled.

This is our God! He takes the base things of the world, like Cinderella - the abused and mocked servant girl, and transforms them into people of His noble purposes and plans, like Cinderella - the transformed Princess. He calls not many wise according to the flesh, not many noble... He is the One who chooses the the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise. He uses the weak things to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things which are despised God has chosen... (1 Cor 1:26-28).

While we know that Cinderella is a fantasy story, we also know that our lives and destinies in God are not! We serve a powerful God with powerful promises for His children. Consider the following promises He makes to us: Those who find God find His favor (Proverbs 8:35-36). He promises to make us the head and not the tail, if we obey Him (Deuteronomy 28:13). God promises that His words to us are flawless and that He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him (Proverbs 30:5). "Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). Also, "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

Just as Cinderella had an evil step-mother and oppressive step-sisters who wanted to deny her any good thing, so the children of God have Satan and many who are enemies of the gospel opposing us. Yet, God in Micah 4:11-13, promises: "But now many nations are gathered against you (God's people). They say, 'Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion (His church)!' But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing floor. 'Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron, I will give you hoofs of bronze and you will break to pieces many nations.' You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.' Imagine that! Though we have many enemies who think they will defeat God's people, God turns the tide of destruction against them. He uses His church to confound and break the tyranny of the nations. God also empowers His people to use the wealth of the wicked for Him, His kingdom and purposes.

It is a great story and great destiny for the church - the people of God!! It is awesomely wonderful that we have such a place in the heart of our King.

"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and every. Amen" (Revelation 7:12).

Intimacy With God Is Our Prize When We Give Thanks

In less than a week we will be celebrating Thanksgiving, an important national holiday in the United States. For many people it can mean different things: a turkey feast, a big football day, or the day before "Black Friday" which is the kick-off to the Christmas shopping season. Yet, the origin of the holiday in the U.S., has to do with the Pilgrims who gave thanks to God for their preservation, well-being, and the fulfillment of their hopes to live in a land where they could freely practice their faith. 

Thanksgiving is about honoring God. While it is a holiday, it should also be a way of life for us as believers. By giving thanks we recognize that we are a people who continually need Him. We also acknowledge the Lord as the source of our lives and every blessing that we've been given. To give God thanks honors and glorifies Him. Being thankful, along with a deep-felt gratitude and humility toward God, is indispensable to living a victorious life in Christ. Our King loves a thankful, humble heart and He rewards us for it (Psalm 146:6-8 & 1 Corinthians1:26-31). It deepens our love for God and creates within us a spirit of worship and praise.

King David is a great example of someone who knew the secret of giving thanks and was richly blessed for it. In 1 Chronicles 15-16 David, along with the elders and commanders of Israel, brought the ark into Jerusalem. As you may recall, he danced with all his might before God as they brought the ark into the city. Offerings and sacrifices were given by the people out of gratitude and worship. David entrusted to Asaph and those with him a psalm of thanksgiving (1Chronicles 16:7-36). This beautiful psalm encouraged the people of Israel to give God thanks; as well as to sing, glorify, praise, recall His mighty deeds, and called for all creation to acknowledge His worthiness.

When we get out of our comfort zone and radically thank God, like the Jews did when they worshiped at the arrival of the ark in Jerusalem, we are brought through the gate of our limited physical lives and into the presence of the King of Kings. Our thanksgiving turns into worship and causes our hearts and spirits to be one with God. We cannot help but know His pleasure and blessing by the atmosphere we create by our thanksgiving and worship. Yes, that is correct! It is the atmosphere we create, not God. We do this by initiating the thanks and praise, and He responds by blessing us with His presence.

The intimacy we experience as a result of our encounter with God causes us to know our Father's heart and to participate/partake of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). By participating in His divine nature, we see His glory and goodness in full measure. We also become aware that every single one of His very great and precious promises are given to us and meant to be fulfilled in our lives (2 Peter 1:3-4); regardless of our lives or circumstances. He is over all those things. In His presence we are meant to be transformed and deeply blessed.

Thankfulness is a crucial key for growing in intimacy and releasing the power of God in our lives. Expect God to richly bless and move in your midst as you cultivate a life of thanking Him with a sincere and pure heart. He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

God is Eager to Transform Your Life & Situation - Part 2: The Power of Worship

Worship is meant to be transformational. God allows us, even beckons us, to enter into His presence where we connect and become one with Him. In worship we abandon the limitations of our lives and the world around us. We transcend our circumstances and access the throne room of heaven itself. There we meet with the One who loves us and longs for our sincere love, adoration, and praise. As we love Him and worship with all our being (body, soul and spirit) we experience a blessing that is like nothing else in life. He lavishly loves, comforts, and blesses in return.

Our obedience to God makes our praise and worship become an acceptable fragrance and sacrifice before Him. God rewards us for our time, effort and faith in worshipping Him (Hebrews 11:6). Beyond the joy, peace, love we receive from being in His presence we also carry His glory and presence with us after we've spent time with Him. Remember Moses' face which was radiant with the glory of God (Exodus 34:29-35). Worship is indispensable in building a very rich, rewarding and deeply intimate relationship with the Lord.

Because worship causes us to experience God's perfect love, it casts out all fear (1John 4:18). Worship activates and energizes our faith. Because we are in God's presence in worship, He floods our lives with His peace, joy, love, and strength.

Worship frees us from bondages and releases blessing and freedom instead. Worship takes us from the hand of the oppressor and places us in God's protective hands. The devil cannot stand it when we worship God. Satan flees and the dark clouds of oppression leave when we worship. God becomes our rock and high tower. Read Psalm 18.

Our worship touches God's heart and motivates Him to come to our aid. We realize that we are not orphans. Instead, we are sons and daughters of the King with all the rights and privileges. This causes us to walk in victory and strength because we know our God and He knows us - we have His favor and that is better than life itself.

E.M. Bounds once said: "Only God can move mountains, but our faith and prayers move God." Worship releases the Holy Spirit to move on our behalf and causes His anointing to flow into our lives. We can speak a million words to no avail, but one word from God can birth something out of nothing, heal any disease or sorrow, and/or overcome any situation.

When we worship we should boldly and prophetically proclaim God's Word. This will cause mountains to move (Mark 11:23-24), crooked ways to be made straight, strongholds and gates to be torn down (Isaiah 45:1-3), captives to be delivered, healing to flow, and it will literally transform our lives and realities around us.

It may be easy to worship God when we are going well, but it is absolutely necessary to do so when we are going through a dark hour. It seems counter-intuitive to worship in the depths of despair, yet our worship will cause God to break forth the dawn and fortify us with His presence and love until our deliverance comes.

We need to hunger and thirst for worshipping God. Consider David and what he did while in a desert period of his life:

Psalm 63:1-8

 ¹ You, God, are my God,
   earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
   my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
   where there is no water.
 ² I have seen you in the sanctuary
   and beheld your power and your glory.
³ Because your love is better than life,
   my lips will glorify you.
⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
   and in your name I will lift up my hands.
⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
   with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
 ⁶ On my bed I remember you;
   I think of you through the watches of the night.
⁷ Because you are my help,
   I sing in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ I cling to you;
   your right hand upholds me.

Worship is one of the greatest ways to become a victorious overcomer in Christ. As we become worshippers, we will know our God with an intimacy reserved only for those who take the time to cultivate it. We will also be transformed by Him, into His likeness, and see Him transform our lives as He unleashes His power and presence in and around us. Let's worship Him with all our hearts and make His courts resound with our praise.

God is Eager to Transform Your Life & Situation - Part 1

Two days ago, while at church, God healed me of a progressive and debilitating injury to my left shoulder that I have had for the last eight to ten months. Healing for this injury has been an odyssey and a process of discovery of God's faithfulness and love.

Just as I had a shoulder injury, all of us have situations or circumstances that beset us and weigh us down. These things make me think about the concept of "entropy" and there seems to be a lot of it in life, things and life itself going from order to disorder, breaking down, etc. Since the fall of mankind into sin (Genesis 2:17), death, which is a form of entropy, is now a part of life, part of the "natural" but broken order of everything around us. Things going from life to death, from strength to weakness. Prior to the fall of mankind into sin this wasn't the case. Originally, God produced life and it was always abundant and fruitful. God's plan was for mankind to live in abundance and fruitfulness - to be living beings, not dying beings (Genesis 2:7)!

Fortunately, God the Father had a plan to overcome the fall and sin. As we know, it was revealed in Christ who came to restore His Father's purposes. In doing so, Jesus came to seek and save the lost. By His sacrifice, we can now enter into relationship with God and receive every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Jesus came to give us life and give it abundantly (John 10:10). Jesus conquered sin and death (Romans 7:24-25). In Him, we too conquer sin and death - "We are more than conquerors through Him (Jesus) who loves us" (Romans 8:37). Therefore, we have the power through Jesus to live this life overcoming the effects of entropy, breakdown, chaos, and death in all its various forms.

Jesus said: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Tragically, we tend to focus upon the ..."you will have trouble" portion of this verse because this is what we experience and know in this life - the brokenness that comes with the fall and sin. However, while trouble is "a" reality, Jesus wants us to experience a better, greater transforming reality. That reality is ..."take heart! Because I (Jesus) has overcome the world."

So how do we take heart? And, how do we move from taking heart to seeing God and His Word fulfilled in our lives and situations? God stated in Proverbs 4:20-22: "My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's (or woman's) whole body." Nothing is more important in this life than God and His Word. He is a God of His Word. He is the Word (John 1:1). As we are in His Word; reading it, meditating upon it, praying over and through it, obeying it, saturating ourselves with it, growing in faith by it, He will perform His Word in us. He will do so because, again, He is a God of His Word.

Notice in the above verse the strong admonition to "pay attention", "listen closely". Often times and unfortunately, there are many things in this life that we pay attention to and ought not. However, we need to understand that nothing is more important than paying attention and listening to God and His Word. Sadly, we often frame our ideas about life and ourselves based upon what we see, hear, experience and think. But God calls us to a higher plane - to frame our lives only upon His Word (Psalm 119:105). We are not to let life dictate our faith or determine our circumstances. Instead, we are to boldly stand on the Word of God and let it dictate to our lives and transform/liberate us FROM our circumstances. As we shut out all the noise, listen closely to God and keep His Word continually before us, (allowing it to wash/renew and transform our hearts (Ephesians 5:26)), it will cause life and blessing to flow to us in every way.

Jeremiah 1:12 states: "Then the Lord said to me, you have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it." Our God eagerly desires to perform His Word in us. Do not listen to the lies that say He doesn't care or that His Word doesn't apply in all situations or only works sometimes. God is not uncaring. He is not random. He is a God of His Word. He EAGERLY desires to perform His Word in our lives. We serve a God who is eager, alert, active, and watching to bless His children in every way and in every opportunity, if we will believe and receive it.

2 Chronicles 16:9 gives us a wonderful promise when it says: "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are blameless towards Him." We must stand in unshakable confidence that Christ is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We can have His favor and blessing as we love, trust and obey Him (Psalm 90:17, John 8:31). He is for us, not against us (Romans 8:31-37).

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). Yes, the victory belongs to Jesus and He has given it to us, to those He loves. Accept it, meditate upon the truth of it, bask in it, thank and praise Him for it.

Isn't He absolutely beyond all expectation? All glory and honor belong to Him.


(Note: This article is part 1 of a 2 part series. In the next post, I will discuss how to maintain a overcoming attitude and conquer every doubt and fear.)

Why The Wilderness??

The 'wilderness' is not a concept that is understood too well in Christendom, despite the fact that it is all the way through the Bible. From the book of Genesis right through Revelation there are clear references to the 'wilderness' as being something God often employs in His dealings with men. The pattern is undeniable.

When we look through the Scriptures we see that the wilderness is often a place of spiritual "crisis" and also preparation. It is the place God sends us before the "real action" begins - before we enter into the full purposes of God in our lives. There must be 'death' before there can be resurrection. There must be a desert place before the "promised land".

The wilderness is a place of trial and testing, of brokenness and full surrender to God. The props and activities that have kept us continually striving to "make things happen" are stripped away.

Our self-reliance is shattered and replaced with a total reliance on God alone. Every "idol" in our lives (often including our own ministry) is brought under the piercing searchlight of God. Our selfish motives and ambitions are shown for what they are. This process may take years. Finally we emerge broken, chastened and purified. The process has matured and cleansed us in so many ways. We are now ready for the fulfillment of all that God originally called us to do. But our heart-motives are vastly different from what they were before.

We see this pattern all the way through Scripture. Many lessons can be learned from what we read there. Abraham, Joseph, Joshua, Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul the apostle - and even Jesus Himself - all had to go through this "wilderness" experience. Very often it lasted for years and years. Why then should we be surprised if it happens to us?

Probably the best-known instance of a 'wilderness experience' in the Old Testament is the story of Moses and the children of Israel. Moses had been raised and trained all his life in the palaces of Egypt. But when he came face-to-face with his heritage as an Israelite, he rose up "in his own strength" and killed an Egyptian slave-driver. He was then forced to flee into the desert, where he was to spend 40 YEARS as a simple shepherd in the wilderness.

What an enormous length of time! Imagine if every Christian leader had to spend that long in the wilderness before God would allow them to lead His people! It is almost impossible to imagine the depths of despair and "death" to all his dreams and hopes that Moses went through during this time. In fact, after 40 years it is hard to imagine anyone being "deader" to the usual ambitions and temptations of leadership than Moses would have been. And what PATIENCE these years of waiting must have produced in him!

We see here the lengths that God will go to in the "preparation" of a leader "after His own heart." (-Though 40 years is unusually long). The isolation, the chafing, the crying out to God for deliverance - all play their part. Such an experience is almost irreplaceable. That is why God uses it so often. The hearts of driven men are so similar in so many ways, that God's "cure" becomes similar also! He will even shut us up in a kind-of 'prison' for a time so we cannot escape the process. It is that important. He does not want 'self'- oriented leaders shepherding his precious sheep.

After his 40 years of preparation, Moses returned to Egypt at God's command to lead His people out of bondage. This was the beginning of the entire nation of Israels' wilderness experience. For when they left Egypt the only way to their "Promised Land" was through the desert. Some commentators say that in a straight line, their journey could have taken just a few weeks or less. But because of their disobedience and fear, the vast majority of those who left Egypt were destined to die in the desert, never reaching the Promised Land. In fact, their wilderness journey ended up taking 40 years!

Now we need to take special note of this fact:- Not everyone who entered the wilderness survived it. In fact, multitudes perished there. The wilderness tried them and found them wanting. They went to the place of testing and failed the test. This is a pretty crucial fact to realize in our day also. Just because we are "called out" and enter a wilderness time, does not mean that we will embrace the dealings of God and respond appropriately. It is entirely possible to lose everything out there. These people lost out completely. Only their children came through to inherit the promises of God.

How clearly we see this pattern over and over again - in both the Old Testament and the New:- That many whom God wants to one day use are sent into a place of aloneness and brokenness before being brought into their true destiny. We have not even mentioned heroes of God such as Noah, Jacob, Job and others who all had similar experiences. Part of this process lies in the "waiting" that takes place. Also, the fact that all the supporting 'props' are taken away. The "waiting" alone can be torture.

The wilderness also deals with any fear of man or 'systemized' way of looking at things. God often uses it to bring a whole fresh perspective, which is very important for leaders who are going to be representing a "new" approach or facing opposition because of the confrontational words that they are bringing. The lonely desert years give them backbone to stand up to the crowd or the powers- that-be, and declare God's truth without compromise. They now truly fear God rather than man. And they think differently from others. The wilderness is vital for anyone who is wanting to bring fresh manna to God's people.

Are you someone who has been going through such a "desert" experience, my friend? Be encouraged! Look up, for your deliverance draws nigh. God only ever sends His children through such experiences when there is a great purpose to it. Don't give up. Don't be cast down. On the other side lies a 'land of promise' if only you can hang on to Jesus. Be active, be praying, be prepared. Don't become "passive" and let the desert swallow you whole. Use this time to draw closer and closer to Jesus. Dig down and plant your feet firmly on the Rock. Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up in due time - if only you can cling to Him.

 Andrew Strom

http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

Overcoming the Spirit of Heaviness

We know that life is not usually easy and, at times, it can offer up some significant challenges. Often we are burdened by responsibilities and live in a world of broken lives and relationships. All of this, and more, can cause us to feel anxious, burdened and/or even depressed. How do we save ourselves during these seasons of our lives from being overwhelmed, downcast, and perhaps even hopeless?

Psalm 42:5-6 says:

Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

My soul is downcast within me;

therefore I will remember you

from the land of the Jordan,

the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

The key is to focus on God, not our circumstances. We need to remember that He is knowledgeable and mindful of our situations even before we pray. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us".

During times when we feel overwhelmed with darkness, we must surrender to Him and force our minds, wills and emotions to turn to God.  We must purposely put our hope in Him. At first, this is not easy, and it is even counter-intuitive, yet this is exactly what Dr. Jesus orders for us to overcome.

Tragically, the average person lives their lives based upon their emotions. They let emotions dictate their outlook and, in many cases, even their faith. As believers, we are called to live a life where our faith dictates to our emotions, not the other way around. This is what David said and did when he commanded his soul to put his faith in God. In may sound odd, but there are times when we must literally tell ourselves what to do. The soul (our mind, will, and emotions) must never run our lives. Instead, our spirits must dictate to our souls how to live, what to think. Of course, this requires that we exercise the discipline to grow our spirits strong by obeying God and His Word.

Romans 10:17 says: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ".We build our faith by hearing the Word of God. If we want strong faith, it comes by continually reading, claiming, quoting, and praying God's Word. It is also very important that we proclaim/speak God's Word in our lives, situations and circumstances. Psalm 42:5 is an example of David speaking the Word of God to Himself. That is a very wise thing to do. We aren't just to read God's Word and think, "Oh, how nice". No, we actually speak God's Word and let it dictate to our lives and situations - we make everything obey and conform to His Word. Not only is every knee to bow before God, but also every thought, emotion, act, etc.,. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

One of the most powerful and effective ways to overcome negative emotions (depression, despair, worry, anxiety) is to praise and worship God. Again, this forces us to get to focus on Him and off our own lives and circumstances. It isn't that our lives and circumstances aren't important, it is rather that by focusing on God we can, with His help, cause everything to come into proper perspective. We also accomplish something very powerful when we worship. Worship is an act, on our behalf, of reverence and humility. This act is greatly received and rewarded by our King. He loves it when His people worship Him because it gives rightful honor due to His name and because He is the Great Lover of our souls. When we enter into His presence we are one mind and spirit with Him. It is here that we are renewed and strengthened. When we leave His presence, we come back into our realities transformed by His reality. Worship also releases our chains and breaks the spiritual strongholds in our lives. It literally releases the very power of God upon us and through us. Psalm 84:10 says, "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere". 

Many people have testified to overcoming dark circumstances, incurable diseases and breaking spiritual bondages by worshiping and praising God. Worship is not a method of success. It is all about walking in deeper relationship, intimacy and power with God. 

The prophet Isaiah prophetically speaks of Jesus when he says in Isaiah 61:1-3:

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD

for the display of his splendor. 

Isn't God wonderful! He is our Overcomer! His Spirit causes us to overcomes all heaviness.

The Blood That Answers The Accusation

Hebrews 12:23b-24 "You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."

The blood of Abel speaks about the first gross act of sin, recorded in scripture, after the fall of man. It speaks about innocent blood being shed. The blood of Abel cries out about the horrible injustice done to him. Abel's blood demands justice. It fully reveals sin, taking the cloak off of it and shows it for what it is - ugly and evil. Abel's blood speaks of the law and the requirements for justice.

Yet the blood of Jesus shed at the hands of murderers does not cry out for justice. It is justice applied. His blood answers the blood of Abel. The blood of Jesus covers over and thoroughly cleanses. It is God's answer to the sinful act of shedding Abel's blood. Instead of crying out for vengeance and justice, the blood of Jesus cries out to the lawbreaker about God's reconciliation and restoration. Abel's blood justly accuses, while Christ's blood answers that accusation with God's mercy and forgiveness.

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" (Ephesians 1:7-8). Isn't it incredible that God "lavishes" the riches of His grace upon us? We committed sin, turned our backs on God, and yet He was pleased, even eager, to give us all mercy and forgiveness by sacrificing His only Son on our behalf. That is grace!

Who is he that accuses? Where are they that condemn?

John 8:1-11 says: "Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?""No one, Master.""Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin." (The Message)



"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7).

  Therefore, "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17b-19).

Those Who Fear Him Have An Inheritance

Psalm 61:5 - For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Recently, the Lord led me to Psalm 61. It is a beautiful psalm of David who cried out and found God, His rock and refuge. In verse 4, David said that he longed to dwell in God's presence and take refuge in the shelter of His wings. This imagery is both powerful and rich.

Verse 5 holds an important truth and blessing for those who will meditate on it and believe it. Specifically, those who fear God have a "heritage" in Him. Some versions use the word "inheritance". We can safely infer that those who don't "fear" God do not have any such hope and blessing. The Hebrew word for fear used in this verse is "yare" and it is translated to mean "to revere", to have "reverence".

Notice that the beginning of verse 5 states that God heard David's vows (prayers). The reason David's prayers were heard was because he feared/reverenced God. Fearing God puts everything in proper perspective. We recognize that He is the rightful Lord of our lives and that we must be dependent upon Him, in essence it creates humility within us. Fear of God also causes our hearts to be open and receptive to hear from Him and to obey His commands. It allows God to have the most important place in our lives. We know that we cannot claim to love God unless we obey Him (John 14:21). So reverence and fear are absolutely essential to our love-relationship with the Lord.

Here are just a few of the promises and blessings we have when we fear God: According to Psalm 111:10, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and all who follow God's precepts have good understanding. Blessed is everyone who fears God and walks in His ways, according to Psalm 128:1. God takes pleasure in those who fear Him (Psalm 147:11). Also, His goodness is stored up for those who fear Him, which He gives to those who take refuge in Him (Psalm 31:19-20).

Fearing God opens the gate for us to have a heritage and inheritance from Him. God desperately wants to richly bless those who love and fear His name. Psalm 5:12 says: "For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor you will surround him as with a shield." 2 Chronicles 16: 9 says: "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

Our inheritance in God is extravagant because He extravagantly blesses those who fear and obey Him. Deuteronomy 28:1-13 states: "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom." These pronounced blessings are so great that they are almost overwhelming. While these promises were given to His people Israel, they are, however, also for us today because God does not change.

In Ephesians 1:3, we are told that the Father blesses us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Everything that Christ had and has is ours because it is the Father's will to give it to us. Because we are in Christ we lack nothing. Additionally, 2 Peter 1:3-4 says: "His divine power has given us EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires".

To fear God is to have a heritage in Him – a history, an identity, and a purpose for our lives. The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 1:18-20 - "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power toward us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."

If we love Him much we will also revere Him much. When this characterizes our lives and testimonies, we shall walk in abundant and overflowing blessing because He will release to us our inheritance, which is reserved for those who love and fear His name.

Why You Should Want To Be Like An Olive Tree

Psalm 52:8-9
8 But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love
for ever and ever.
9 I will praise you forever for what you have done;
in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

This portion of scripture is a beautiful depiction of the heart of David, the psalmist, to please God and make Him the focus of worship. Verses 8-9 are a contrast to verses 1-5 & 7 which speaks about the wicked. In those verses it is made clear that God will destroy the wicked for their evil deeds. In verses 8-9, David makes it clear that he will flourish because he has placed his hope and trust only in God and His love. Therefore, this psalm provides a stark contrast concerning the fruit of evil vs. the fruit of those who love and obey their God.

In verse 8, David likens himself to an olive tree that flourishes in the house of God. This is a rich illustration that offers us great insight into the blessing of God upon our lives when we make Him the object of our affections, worship and trust.

A flourishing olive tree speaks of many things. Typical of the Mediterranean where they grow, olive trees are a sign of life, abundance and fruitfulness, in an otherwise barren landscape. By nature, they are quite hearty with strong, deep roots. They are also known to be very sturdy – living for hundreds of years, and, in many cases, even over a thousand years. Olive trees thrive in either very dry or very wet weather and bear fruit every year. Technically, olive trees are evergreens and keep leaves all year long.

God wants our lives to be like the olive tree – full of life, abundant, strong with deep roots in Him, as well as living long fruitful lives. Psalm 1:3 says that those who delight in the law of God are like trees planted by streams of water, yielding fruit and growing leaves that don't wither, prospering in whatever they do. In Jeremiah 11:16, God said that he once called His people a thriving olive tree with fruit beautiful in form. This is a very honorable title He bestowed upon His people and one that He wants to bestow upon us today.

In terms of harvesting, there are a couple of different methods that are commonly employed. The first method, used particularly in ancient times, was to beat the tree with sticks causing the olives to fall on sheets. The olives harvested in this way were used, for among other purposes, the golden lampstand in the Temple in Jerusalem (see Leviticus 24:1-3).

The second method was to allow the olives to ripen and fall from the trees. These olives were pressed/crushed by feet or with the use of stone mortars and mills. Today, hydraulic presses are commonly used. The oil, then as now, is extracted from the fruit along with water and sediment. It is allowed to separate and is then drawn off and later stored. Multiple pressings of the fruit can be done to the derive oil of varying quality and uses in cooking, lamp oil, soap, and medicinal ointments. Olive oil has always been a very valuable fruit with many uses and was considered essential to life in biblical times. It is also frequently spoken of in scripture as used for anointing and figuratively represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit on our lives.

The harvesting and process of producing olive oil is rich in symbolism and meaning for our lives. The beaten olives and the crushing process remind us of how Christ was stricken by God, smitten and afflicted, pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and punished to bring us peace (Isaiah 53:4-5).

This beating and crushing process also speaks to us about our own afflictions, oppression, temptations and trials. During difficult times, just like the crushed/pressed olive, there are things that come out of us. When pressed, we either release the sweet smell of God's anointing from our lives or the putrid smell of sin.

The most precious "oil" of our lives comes from when we are severely tried yet still honor God and praise His name. This drives us into His presence where He becomes our habitation, refuge and fortress. The humble and loving disposition of our hearts, as well as the fruit of our lips (our praise, worship, and proclamation of His love and faithfulness), gives Him the highest degree of glory and honor. Our lives then become an offering, just like the offerings in the Old Testament, that has a sweet fragrant aroma. Our aroma then enters the Most Holy Place and richly blesses God. When in His presence we are one with Him. How sweet, intimate and deep a communion we have with the lover of our souls. This is the secret place, the secret place of the Most High. As we develop a longing and thirst for His presence, we flourish because we are connected with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is our beloved and we are His.

There is no purer and holier desire than to be, metaphorically speaking, like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God. We are beckoned by God to love Him and to express that love with all our hearts and with everything within us. We must lay aside every ambition except to glorify God with all our being and to bear abundant fruit so we can present our lives and the fruit of it to The King. Our heart's desire should be as David's – to be like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God, trusting in His unfailing love, and praising Him forever in the presence of others because of His great deeds and holy name.


(See 1 Samuel for the background to and context of this psalm. However, here's a brief summary: David is on the run from King Saul and he went to Nob to see Ahimelech, the priest. He asked Ahimelech to provide him and his men with food. Ahimelech did not know that David was fleeing the king. Instead, he was led to believe that David was on a mission for the King Saul. Doeg, Saul's head shepherd, told the king that Ahimelech helped David. Doeg failed to tell the king that Ahimelech did not know that David was fleeing from him. King Saul was enraged and ordered Ahimelech and all the priests to be killed, but none of Saul's officials dared do it. So, Doeg killed Ahimelech and all the other priests as well. Out of this situation David writes this psalm and focuses, beyond the pain, on the One over the pain – God! )

The Transformational Cry

Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.

6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.

8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.


This is a beautiful psalm written by one who cried out to God, with a heart of humility, longing to be heard by the Most High.

The writer states that he cries out to God from the "depths". It is a place (in his heart and situation) that is like deep turbulent waters threatening to engulf and overwhelm with its fury. All of us find ourselves in situations like this at one time or another. While in the depths we are forced to cry out to God with all our might because we realize that He is the only one who can rescue us from all our troubles.

This is the most vulnerable place we can be in because we are either going to drown or be rescued. Everything is on the line. But, just like the psalmist, we come to completely depend upon God during this very threatening hour. Our cry to Him is birthed out of desperation, however, it is then transformed into one of faith and devotion. As we stand on His Word in faith, we will not drown. Our Lord uses the depths to lead us from despair to faith and trust in Him. He hears our cry and delivers us because He is faithful. He is a God of His Word!

When we see God move on our behalf we also see His nature – His holiness and the purity of His love, grace and mercy. How can this not move us? We come face to face with a totally righteous God. This causes us to realize our own unrighteousness which then humbles us and produces a holy fear for Him. Because He is a God who completely forgives and unconditionally loves us, the right response is to fall down in worship of Him with overwhelming love and gratitude in our hearts.

As love takes its rightful place in our hearts, we long for God's presence and eagerly await His embrace. More than watchmen who wait all night, we watch for our God. The watchmen waits because he is duty-bound, but we wait because we are love-bound. How enriched we become when such love drives us. In His presence is where we come to know the depth of His character and heart. It is here that we experience the fullness of His love and mercy which restores and fortifies our souls. He beckons us to come, as a lover beckons the one he loves.

Experiencing God in this way causes us to place all of our affections, trust and hope in Him. With the Lord is unfailing love and complete redemption. No one loves or redeems like our God. He alone is the one who saves and delivers us from the raging deep.