Tuesday, September 30, 2014

DO NOT FLINCH DURING THE TOUGH STUFF

Christian hearts live under heavy attack by dark forces.  Every four seconds someone finds terror hitting his or her heart.  Okay, I made up the four seconds part.  My guess it would be every second and multiple hearts per.

We are trying to endure constant and stressful intimidation.  Questions of doubt are relentless.

What if I get this wrong?  What if I am wrong?  What if the church doesn't have enough money to cover its bills?  What if we don't get some new members?  What if we don't put in the right elders?  What if our plans aren't popular among the church members?  What if we accept too many or reject the wrong ones?

Incoming mortar fire!!!

Jesus is our death, our burial, and our resurrection.  We have experienced this in order to stand anew.  We have new roles, new models, new missions, new hope. Darkness does not boss us.  Freedom in the resurrected Jesus opens us to an entirely new world of possibility and potential.

Anybody can point out another's lack.  But the Spirit should be given our permission to point out our direction.  We are not dependent on others nor ourselves.  We are dependent on the One who single-handedly beat death at its own game on its own court.

That championship match was held as an away game for God.  He sent His Son....emphasis sent. It was on the enemy's turf.  But Jesus made the trip anyway. Not without bruising and battering, Jesus was pronounced victor.  But first he had to die.

Charles Swindoll sent me a note of encouragement years ago that said, Do not flinch, Terry.  Those words still ring as key and important.  And I pass them on to you.  Do not flinch.  We are targeted to buckle under life's pressures.  I urge you to stand in confidence of the Holy Spirit.

It is not up to man to will or to run, but up to God who has mercy!  Breathe deeply. Dream wildly.  Live confidently.  Do not flinch.  God specializes in taking care of the tough stuff.

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