Prophetic Word 2024 - Day 2: You can’t find rest if you won’t divest.

”Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,“

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In terms of maintaining our resolve to fully follow Jesus no matter what, we are often our own worst enemies. You see, in clinging to those things that prove to be self-defeating in terms of our Christian walk, we are providing the means of our own failure.

For example, a person could resolve that they wanted to be a great runner—or at least to be able to run a race without quitting or otherwise being disqualified. But, if that person will not divest of those things that are contrary to the goal, the resolve to obtain the goal will not survive the contrary forces from which they have refused to disengage.

Now, still using the example of a racer, if they want to be able to run a race and finish, and they are extremely overweight, or insist on running with their phone in their hand, or are wearing very heavy shoes, etc., their own self-imposed hindrances will most likely cause their resolve to crash and burn.

In our opening scripture we see that the writer of Hebrews, after having detailed the great Hall of Fame of Faith (Hebrews 11), instructs that if we are to do what they did (yes, all of that is in the word, “therefore”), we must lay aside self-imposed hindrances.

Please understand, we most certainly will encounter hindrances over which we had no control (in terms of their coming our way), but we are in a better position to deal with those hindrances when we have divested from that which is self-defeating (in terms of our victory).

I’ve seen—in more than one movie—boxers training in very contrary and harsh conditions. Why would someone do this? Well, if you can carry out what you need to do even when faced with adversity, you gain a new level of strength and don’t have to worry about “surprises” keeping you from being at the top of your game.

The apostle Paul, having exhorted the people to seek those things which are above, then turns to explain that in order to seek the things which are above with Christ, we must reject and divest of the “old man,” along with those ways of being and doing.

”Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.“

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Friend, we want to be prepared for whatever may come to try to steal our resolve in terms of our faith walk. That being the case, our first step toward being able to put on those things which help us to succeed, has to be putting off that which is not expedient, even if it is not a “sin” per se.

We talked yesterday about being able to have the atmosphere of Heaven with us even in the midst of the doings of the hordes of Hell. Yes, the atmosphere of Heaven brings rest and peace, even in the midst of the storm. But, if we refuse to divest of that which is contrary to our peace and His plan, then we will never find that Place where the works of the enemy are stripped of power against us.

Remember: Your resolve will dissolve if you lose your rest because you won’t divest!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#resolveforhim