Do not fear what they fear;
Do not be frightened!
1 Peter 3:14-15 NIV
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” Then they remembered His words (Luke 24:5-8).
They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Father, strengthen the feeble hands! Steady the knees that give way! Say to fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear! Your God will come! He will come with vengeance! With divine retribution He will come to save you!”
For the eyes of the blind will be opened! The ears of the deaf unstopped! The lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shall shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. For God has poured out His Spirit on all people (Acts 2:7). And the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).
A highway will be there! It will be called the Way of Holiness (Isaiah 35:2-8). A new and living Way opened for us through the curtain, that is, Christ’s body (Hebrews 10:20). There is no other like Jesus who ever lived upon the earth. Yet, the Son of Man asks, “Will I find faith on the earth at My coming?” Luke 18:8.
If only the body of Christ would make as many faith transactions as we do with our finances, for surely the earth would have a very different appearance. However, the Word tells us because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24:12 NKJV).
I speak of Jesus so God’s Word would stir our hearts to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). Jesus cleanses us and makes our spiritual being perfect, but it is Holy Spirit Who works with us to help us do what we can – Aim for perfection!
Being of one mind! For surely then, we will live in peace! (2 Corinthians 13:11). I also share knowledge of what comes against us preventing peace of mind and heart to be enjoyed: Codependency, emotional traumas, people-pleasing, character deficits…These are the things that keep us double-minded. We use self-serving strategies – rationalization, comparison, avoidance, denial, accusation…to protect and defend our attitudes and beliefs and behaviors.
We pray asking God for _________, then remove ourselves from the equation with statements such as, “This is my cross to bear.” I have thought and said the same things. Then my eyes were open to the Truth. A healing touch from God may have been received, but I was guilty of doing and thinking and saying and believing the same things over-and-over-again. Change needed to happen, but not with circumstance or people; instead, inside me.
Everyone would like to avoid the pain and discomfort of change and trials. I certainly would, but I have come to think differently and to view these discomforts as blessings. In every aspect of my life I have watched God work good through the messes I have set before Him.
You may think I’m off my rocker, but my life has been difficult. Before I came to possess knowledge of God and His Word, of course there were trials. Some were of my own making, many were not. However, they led me deeper and deeper into that pit of depression and hopelessness until I questioned if this life was even worth living.
After I came to the Lord, there was a shift within me because I made room for Holy Spirit. He brought God’s Word to life before the eyes of my heart. I knew without doubt, Jesus was in me and beside me and working as He always does – Good in me and for me.
Psalm 33:9 tells us: God spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. Holy Spirit helped me understand God’s Word is unfolding within me, to embrace and envelope me with His loving-kindness so we can become one in spirit.
I used to tell people God wrote about me in His Book, I was that fool. Well now I know that was not the only place I would be found. Why? Holy Spirit fills us with the Seeds of Life – God’s Word. This is personal and intimate and life changing. Through God’s Word Holy Spirit has helped me understand God establishes the uncompromisingly righteous to be in harmony with Him. For He Who tries the hearts and emotions and thinking powers, is a righteous God (Psalm 7:9 AMP).
Through God’s Word Holy Spirit was helping me to stand firm, and I knew this would come to be because God said it would. “My Word that goes out from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. My purpose – You will go out in joy, Kathie, and be led forth in peace (Isaiah 55:11-12).
Holy Spirit works within us to give us the mind of Christ through Himself, the Word. If we do not take the time and make the effort to be conjoined (merged, personally intermingled, joined) united to the Lord how can we become one spirit with Him? (1 Corinthians 6:17).
The love of many in the Body of Christ has grown cold. The Church and the world their images are not vastly different? If our spouse or our friend or even a stranger were injured moving us out of harm’s way a lifetime bond would be forged.
Jesus died to move us from the worst consequence sin can produce – eternal separation from love, from compassion, from mercy and goodness and peace. The song by Mercy Me has gone platinum three times, “I Can Only Imagine!” Of course, this song spoke of our being in the presence of God, but what about the presence of pure evil.
So, I will continue to share God’s Word, for He has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and goodness (2 Peter 1:3-4). The passion of Christ revealed His love and honor and obedience to the Father as He laid Himself down on that cross. The glory of His resurrection reveals the Power of His love for the sheep of God’s pasture.
Come! Let them who hear say, Come! Whoever is thirsty, let them come! Whoever wishes, let them take the free gift of the Water of Life (Revelation 22:17). For whoever believes in Jesus, whoever trusts God’s Word is working in us and for us, streams of living water will flow from within them (John 7:38).
The power of the Spirit of Grace has brought us into covenant with God through His Son, to which we are permanently bound (Ezekiel 20:37 AMP). A covenant of Love and Truth and Faithfulness. Sadly, we are treating God as poorly as we treat ourselves, our families, and others.
The time has definitely arrived for the sheep of God’s pasture, those who hear God’s Word, to AWAKE! AWAKE! Clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor! Shake of your dust! Rise up! Sit enthroned! Free yourself from whatever chains – fear and bigotry and bitterness…that are on your neck.
We were sold into this world for nothing, and without money we have been redeemed! (Isaiah 53:1-3). Be strong! Do not fear! Let Zion enter with singing, with everlasting joy crowning their heads. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of God’s Word rising within them!
Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away (Isaiah 35:2-10). Jesus gave His all to give us victory over our fear and sin and pridefulness. We must reciprocate and give our all to God’s Word to receive victory: Peace of mind and heart!
With joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation!
Isaiah 12:3