Face adversity
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
and rests his confidence upon Him.
He shall be like a tree planted by the waterside,
that stretches its roots along the stream.
When heat comes it has nothing to fear;
its spreading foliage stays green.
In a year of drought it feels no care,
and does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 neb
There are times in our lives when things seem dry. We are not hearing God as we are accustomed to. The evidences we once knew of to indicate God’s presence with us are gone. Pastor Bob Yandian spoke of this during Jubilee. He spoke of the four different soils that received the seed of God’s Word. He said that the fourth type of soil, the “good ground”, the disciple of Jesus, will experience these times in their life.
The fire of the Lord is a consuming fire. When the heat comes we must embrace the Word of God and the work of the Spirit in our lives. The Word is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. The heart is deceitful and wicked above all things. Only the Spirit can truly know it. By the heat or fire of the Lord we are refined. The good soil knows and believes God’s love for him. This breeds confidence or trust in God. We are not afraid when heat and drought appear for we know and believe God is our True Provision. He has provided and continues to provide. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
As we are refined we bear much fruit. The fruit is the fruit of the Spirit of God. The fruit cannot come from us. It can only come through us. We are the branch and we bear the nature of the Vine, or tree in this passage of scripture. That fruit is the divine nature of God that is in us in Christ.
Though we face adversity, with firm conviction we believe God’s power will accomplish what He has promised. We walk by faith and not by sight. Though there are times when sight appears more real, it is during these times our faith is refined and sharpened. It is easy to believe God during times of plenty. We may see drought with our outer eyes but look with your inner eyes of faith. In Christ, there is never drought. He is the living water that is never dry. We are united with Christ. This living water is in us.
So rejoice in the Lord. Though things appear bad, praise Him. Why so downcast O my soul? Put your hope in God. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Heal me O Lord and I am healed. Save me, and I am saved, for you are my praise.
This is a profession of faith. Declare its truth in your life. Know and believe God’s love for you. God is love and you are never without God. Therefore, you are never without love. We are hidden with Christ in God. Hallelujah!! Give Him praise!
Johnny D. Green
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TAKE THE CHALLENGE
How much do you read from the Bible? It is the time of year when many make resolutions for the new year. How about this; if you read 9 chapters per day from the New Testament, it would take only 28.8 days to complete. If that is too much for you, try 6. Six chapters in one day and you complete the task in 43.3 days, less than two months. Five and it only takes 52 days. Four and it only takes 65 days. It really is incredible how quickly you can complete this task. I am not talking about reading for the sake of reading or some religious duty. We should always ask and expect the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and cause things to catch our attention that we or someone else needs. The more we use any tool, we become more familiar with how to use it. Of course the Bible is not just any tool, it is the word of God. More seeds planted, more harvest possible. It is time for the Church, the ground and pillar of truth (that is us), to be more bold to speak the word of God into our society. Take The Challenge!
Robbie Moore
Care Pastor
Victory Life Church
Ardmore Care Group
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