Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom, which is justice, our freedom, our redemption, our justification, our salvation and our restoration. He proclaimed it and then He spoke it when He said to the sick, be healed! Blind eyes open! Deaf ears open! He declared for all time that we don’t have to live under the authority of darkness anymore!
The Apostle Paul said in Phil. 4:6-8 not to be anxious about anything, but that when we thankfully commit those things to the Lord, He will guard our hearts and minds with peace. He follows that up by telling us what to think on instead—whatever is true, good, virtuous, pure, loving and commendable. In other words, don’t let your thoughts keep you slogging through the gutter of worry, fear and anxiety about what MIGHT happen. Remember, the future is a phantom—it hasn’t happened! Keep your thoughts and thanksgiving in the NOW, trusting God to take care of those things you have placed in His care. Let HIM take care of the future!
The attempts the devil makes to frighten and/or oppress you are, in reality, like a toothless lion pretending he has a roar. YOU ARE IN CHRIST! The Lion of Judah lives in you, and the devil can’t touch you, no matter what your situation may look like to the contrary. This New Year, prioritize the time to get the Word of God rooted and grounded inside you, letting Jesus teach you. When you do, your understanding will be renewed and changed, and the devil will flee when YOU roar!
What is the fight of faith that all believers are called to? The fight of faith is continually choosing to think like scripture says rather than what the world is saying. It is holding onto a word from God when all else looks otherwise. It’s not getting on my knees and struggling with devils, but is rather keeping my mind and emotions focused on truth, and my words in agreement with God’s Word. It is believing what God says is the truth over what my body, my bank account or my friends may say!
When the Apostle Peter was put in prison, a group of Christians met to pray for his release. Later, when they were told that Peter was knocking at the door, they didn’t believe it. They were praying, but obviously not really expecting much to happen! Expect an answer! Jesus wants to show the world that He is alive and unlimited in His ability to answer prayer. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).
Sickness, disease and all types of infirmity are rebellious to the truth that your body is the temple of God. But those infirmities can be dealt with, because there is an authority higher than they are—the name of Jesus! Sickness is an enemy every bit as much as the devil is, and as a Christ-filled believer who is one spirit with Him, you have the absolute authority to not just cast it out, but to live in divine health!
When we submit to God’s Word and continue to claim it as who we are, no matter how messed up we may be in the now, we are allowing GOD to work His Word out in us, activating the power in it to renew our minds and transform our thinking. Then what? We begin to live, move and have our being in the real, transformed, Kingdom-life Jesus has given to us!
People wonder, who IS God?? God is APPROACHABLE, PERSONABLE, FORGIVING, KIND, COMPASSIONATE, HEALING, LOVING, UNCHANGING, DEPENDABLE, JOYFUL, PATIENT—and this is just the tip of who our wonderful GOD is. He is in your corner and FOR you! Allow Him to be and do everything He desires to in your life!
If you’re feeling like a captive on a boat that’s being upended because of someone else’s decisions or actions, don’t give in to anger and fear! Remember, if you’re born again then Jesus is not only with you on the boat, He lives in you! You possess His ability to remain in love, and in His name you can speak peace to those storms!
The name of the game is NO FEAR HERE! Allow God to breathe His life and whisper His wisdom into your heart. Commune with Him to pick up on His signals. He has direction for you in the midst of even the most difficult times!
