The Prophetic Word - Days 113 thru 118:Don't Quit

The Prophetic Word

Day 113: Don’t quit now; the finish line is in sight.

In preparation for our discussion over the next five days, please carefully read and meditate on these scriptures:

“By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls.”

Luke 21:19 AMP

“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

James 1:2-4, 12 AMP

“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, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Hebrews 12:1-11 NKJV

Hebrews 11 tells of many patriarchs who—through their enduring faith—accomplished great things and were even able to endure the unthinkable.

As we are living in another place in time, the pressures facing us may differ in some respects to those the patriarchs endured.

However, what remains the same is that testing, trials, hardships, any number of challenges we may come across in our pilgrim walk, are a given.

In order to obtain the prize awaiting us, as well as the peace available to us now, we must allow our patient endurance to carry us over the finish line!

Over the next several days we will look into these things.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 114: Lose the excess weight.

“And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit.”

Matthew 13:22 AMP

Marathon athletes will not be found wearing anything that is heavy or restrictive. And, it should go without saying, that they would never grab a couple of bags of potatoes to carry as they run.

You see, one “secret” to winning the marathon is making sure they are not doing anything to make the race more challenging than it already is. Therefore, “handicapping” oneself in such a way (the bags of potatoes) would be considered absurd!

Sadly, many Christians set out to run their race, their pilgrim walk, without assuring that they are not burdening themselves down with unnecessary baggage.

Hebrews 11 (the “Hall of Fame of Faith”) seems to be a set-up for Hebrews 12:1 that says this:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

The writer of Hebrews seems to be going to great lengths to encourage Jewish Christians experiencing hardship not to give up.

Some of the hardship they were enduring apparently came from other Jews pressuring them to reject their belief in Christ.

As well, the hardships of life in general, combined with the extra pressure of their being Christians, might tempt them to give up on their faith.

The transition between speaking of the enduring faith of the patriarchs (Hebrews 11), and the importance of keeping the faith (enduring) through hardship (Hebrews 12), speaks of laying aside the weight, and the sin, which becomes a snare (trap).

For our purposes here, we will not focus on the need to lay aside sin. Whereas, it is true that many modern churches no longer speak of sin, we will assume that the reader understands that continuing in sinful behavior sets us against God and will destroy the soul:

“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul.”

1 Peter 2:11 AMP

Sadly, many Christians who are aware of the trap of sin, are not aware of the potential trap in having cares of this life.

Jesus, speaking of things that can hinder our ability to be watchful, includes cares of this life along with sin.

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.”

Luke 21:34 NKJV

As well, He commanded that we not worry as nonbelievers do about how we will survive.

““So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

The apostle Paul echoes the prohibition of worry, instructing that we replace worry with prayer.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Peter tells us that we can give all of our cares to God because He cares for us. That is, He will take care of us; He will supply our needs.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

In our opening scripture we see the Lord explaining the meaning of the seeds that were choked out by thorns (the Parable of the Sower). Indeed, the thorns represent cares of this life and seeking after the world’s idea of security and well-being (riches).

Friend, in order to endure, in order to keep our faith to the saving of our souls, we must lose the excess weight we impose upon ourselves by failing to trust the Lord.

We’ll find out more about being a good “marathon runner” tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 115: Lose the self-pity.

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.”

Hebrews 12:2-4 NLT

Let’s cut to the chase: We will never endure what comes our way if we give into the temptation to have self-pity.

Indeed, self pity is often used by the enemy of our souls to prevent us from enduring, effectively hindering us from doing what God has called us to do, and being what He has given us access to be.

Let’s look at an odd exchange between our Lord and Peter.

At one point, Jesus began to be very clear with His disciples about what was about to happen to Him.

After one of these moments when the Lord was sharing the unthinkable to the disciples (He would suffer and be killed), Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him.

“From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.””

Matthew 16:21-23 NLT

Jesus would not take the bait to entertain self-pity; indeed; He calls self-pity what it is: of the devil.

To further reinforce the Lord’s rejection of self-pity, He shares this with the disciples:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.”

Matthew 16:24-27 NLT

The Lord is basically warning the disciples that trying to avoid suffering for the sake of Christ, will lead to losing the life He alone can offer.

As well, Jesus assures them that one day all things will be reconciled; all of our suffering for Him will be handsomely repaid.

Later, Peter put it this way:

“Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.”

1 Peter 4:19 AMP

When in doing the will of God we encounter hardships, we can endure it knowing that our Creator is faithful. We press on knowing that He will take care of us in the midst of our trouble; and, He is faithful to keep His word concerning our reward.

Paul seemed to relish his suffering for Christ; and self-pity found no place in him

“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT

If this kind of attitude in the midst of suffering seems foreign to us, it is because we have not yet fully embraced that we are not our own, but were bought with a price.

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

Given, the above scripture is referencing the need to put aside sexual immorality.

However, the frame of reference here—that we are the property of our Lord—must be employed to rightly endure suffering, testings, and trials.

In our opening scripture we see the writer of Hebrews—after having given the exhortation that we run our race with endurance—gives the only way this type of perseverance is possible.

We can reject any thought of self-pity, any thought of quitting or turning back, by continually focusing on the example Jesus set.

And remember, this same Jesus, warned that tribulation is a given; but so is victory.

We’ll talk more about this tomorrow.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 116: Remember: No pain, no gain.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT

Jeremiah was bringing a complaint before God; not a complaint we would find difficult to imagine.

“Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. So let me bring you this complaint: Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy? You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts.”

Jeremiah 12:1-2 NLT

Ah yes, the old, “the wicked have it easy and I’m struggling,” saga. Make no mistake, I get it. But consider this: Are the wicked trying to do exploits for the Kingdom of God? Are they walking in sonship as join heirs with Jesus Christ? You know the answer as well as I do. The god they serve is their own lusts, their own desires; and the prize they seek is comfort and pleasure right now.

However, we desire something better than what going the path of least resistance in the world can offer. And, what we desire (ultimately, one day to share in God’s glory) requires preparation. Yes, we must endure hardship. Indeed, in answering Jeremiah’s complaint, the Lord points out this very thing:

“If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?”

Jeremiah 12:5 NLT

We see that the Lord employs the example of a person running a race in good versus contrary conditions to illustrate the need to develop endurance.

In fact, running a race is often used in the Bible to describe our Christian walk.

Paul used training for a race to describe how he conducts his own life. He is purposefully pursuing that which Christ has made possible for him. He’s in it to win it and knows that perseverance requires conditioning. And, conditioning can be very unpleasant!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither]. Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service].”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 AMP

Of course, the discipline involved in our training can be intense, yes, arduous; but the prize we seek is worth every moment of hardship we endure.

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

Hebrews 12:11-13 NLT

There’s probably a good reason you won’t find this verse introducing many sermons:

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

1 Peter 5:10 NLT

Yes, we’ll lose most people at, “after you have suffered a little while.” (By the way, the definition of “a little while” will vary with whether the reference is to our own suffering or that of others!) But, suffering is part of growing spiritually into the image of our Lord. And, every time we choose to endure, rather than quitting, we become stronger in our faith and in our ability to persevere.

In our opening scripture Peter employs the process of refining gold to frame our trials, testings, and hardships. As the fire of the refiner produces purer gold, just so, enduring the fiery trials of our lives will purify our faith, removing from it anything that is not of faith (hindrances to faith).

Remember, most of what we perceive as being persecution and/or punishment, can be used by God to form us into a lean, mean, fighting machine. And as such, when facing opposition, we can turn to those who choose not to go further and say, “Hold my fear, I’ve got a victory to claim!”

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 117: Consider the patience of Job.

“knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

James 1:3-4 NKJV

In the book of James we find much encouragement and instruction in terms of remaining steadfast in our faith, no matter what.

At one point James references Job as an example of someone who was patient through adversity, an example we would do well to consider.

“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

James 5:10-11 NKJV

But, in order to fully understand what the quality is that we need to emulate in order to stay the course, we must examine what the patience of Job looked like.

As you probably are aware, Job was tested as a result of God pointing him out to Satan as being a truly blameless person.

“Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.””

Job 1:8 NLT

Satan then counters God’s accolades of Job by accusing him of only serving the Lord because of the cushy life he has.

“Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!””

Job 1:9-11 NLT

As a result of the accusation, the Lord allows Satan to first attack Job’s family and property, and ultimately, his own physical body.

Now, even though Job knew he had not sinned against God, he endured great adversity without varying from his loyalty to Him.

Upon hearing the first reports of devastating news, Job’s response was to bless the name of the Lord.

“Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”

Job 1:20-22 NKJV

Indeed, even when his own body was attacked to the point that he was unrecognizable to his friends, and all the while was being encouraged by his wife to curse God, he did not vary from his loyalty to the Lord.

“Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

Job 2:9-10 NKJV

Ultimately, the example of Job shows that we must remain faithful to God through adversity. And by doing so, we will be rewarded.

Now, we are not talking about patience as a high level of tolerance alone. But rather, a dynamic patient endurance that attacks and pulls down anything that would try to lure us away from our own steadfastness. Indeed, Job’s patience fought back at words meant to shake him from his faith.

In our opening scripture we see James referencing the need to let patience have its perfect work. It might help to see the reference to “perfect work” as being a “complete work.” In other words, we stay steadfast before the Lord until every trial, every test, has honed from us everything that is not of faith, continuing that process until we receive our reward.

“Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

James 1:12 AMP

Dear friends, let us consider the patience of Job, allowing his example to challenge us to actively reject any thought of stopping short of our ultimate victory!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

The Prophetic Word

Day 118: Hope is a vehicle.

“For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, And at the last He will take His stand upon the earth. Even after my [mortal] skin is destroyed [by death], Yet from my [immortal] flesh I will see God, Whom I, even I, will see for myself, And my eyes will see Him and not another! My heart faints within me.”

Job 19:25-27 AMP

I would like to share an experience I had several years ago for those who have not heard it.

I had a dreaming vision In which I was being ganged up on by people who are actually very close to me. They were angry and arguing and closing in on me. Rather than arguing with them or turning to run, I simply started saying, “Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!” As I continued to repeat these words I was lifted up off the ground and began to “float,” so to speak, out of the house I was in with these people. I then continued to float down the sidewalk, away from the house, and was lifted up above the trees.

Looking back, I understand that this was a time in which the Lord was getting my attention concerning His soon coming.

As I have mentioned before, the Lord clearly spoke to me during this period of time saying, “You are not excited about My return.” Of course, He was right; but I would not have characterized myself as such. However, His coming was not in the forefront of my thoughts. It wasn’t really central in my ministry. And, I had no burning expectation of His return.

After the dream (and the other ways the Lord was directing me), the proclaiming of the soon coming of our Lord became the primary imperative in my life.

Indeed, the meaning of the dream was clear: The expectation and proclamation of the Lord’s coming, lifts you up above the drama of life. Yes, the hope in His return becomes a “vehicle” that can take you from a place of struggle, to a place of overcoming power.

Yesterday we examined the words of James as he encouraged the reader to consider the example of the prophets who endured suffering and are now considered as blessed.

As well, we saw that he referenced the patience of Job as an example of patient endurance leading to a good end.

Now, just before James references the prophets and Job, he uses the example of a farmer who waits patiently for his harvest. But consider, why is the farmer able to patiently wait?

Well, first of all, the farmer knows that to have a harvest you have to wait. There is a process at the end of which is some wonderful vegetable, fruit, or other life-sustaining food.

“So wait patiently, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits [expectantly] for the precious harvest from the land, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain against one another, believers, so that you will not be judged [for it]. Look! The Judge is standing right at the door.”

James 5:7-9 AMP

Just as the hope of harvest keeps the farmer patiently persevering, we also are made able to persevere by the hope we have in the Lord.

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5 NKJV

Indeed the Holy Spirit in us is a constant reminder of our sonship. Yes, His presence brings us hope of a wonderful reward awaiting us at the end of this journey.

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.”

Hebrews 10:35-39 NLT

Clearly, our ultimate hope, the hope which keeps us going, is that our Lord is coming back and His reward is with Him!

““Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness).”

Revelation 22:12 AMP

In our opening scripture (one of my personal favorites) we see that Job—even in the midst of his trouble—maintains hope that he will have a life after this life and will see Jesus face-to-face.

Make no mistake, our hope in our Lord is not a “pie-in-the-sky-when-you-die” way to escape life’s sorrow with no reality to back it up. Our hope is based on what God has said! And, I choose to believe Him.

Bolstered by this blessed hope and the grace of God, I will persevere, letting patience have its perfect work and cross the finish line! I pray you will join me.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!