Truthworks

“The Beast is no longer…and headed for Hell!” Revelation 17:11 (The Message)

What the devil cannot achieve in one disguise, he will attempt in another, and another, and another — until he has gained his ground. He first arrived on the scene in the form of a serpent; here in John’s Revelation we see him strutting about as an exalted king, and a beastly one at that. Indeed, over the course of human history the devil has been both serpent and king — and many things in between.

But whatever he may feign to be in his vain imagination, we hold one thing certain and undeniable, unchanging and reliable — he is doomed to destruction. He will not prevail. Indeed, he cannot. And, furthermore, he knows it.

That glorious Morning when death lost its grip upon our fallen Lord, the good news spread to all worlds everywhere — heaven, earth, and hell — that Satan’s power was naught! Having already unleashed the full fury of his rage against Jesus on the Cross, he now pressed the total weight of his dark estate against that stone sealing our Savior’s tomb — desperate to prove God a liar.

But the promise of the Third Day held true, and (in the words of the old spiritual), “up from the grave He arose with triumph over all His foes! He arose the Victor from the dark domain; and He lives forever with His saints to reign! He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!”

Satan is defeated. He is disgraced. And he is damned. O shout it out loud, “The Beast is no longer; He is headed for Hell!”

Whipped by Jesus and put to an open shame, the devil now thrashes about in desperation — especially against those who are followers of the Lamb. We, being flesh and blood, are indeed targets of his demented hatred. And should the Lord Christ grant that we receive a blow here, or a burn there, then we may indeed count ourselves doubly blessed.

First, for having been found in His sight as those permitted to share in the fellowship of His sufferings. And, second, for having been such a nuisance to the devil that his strike against us was targeted rather than random; specifically aimed with intent to take us out of the way, for we pose such a threat to his dark enterprises on earth.

Nevertheless, we know the certainty of this unchangeable truth — the Beast is no longer, and is headed for Hell!

“They shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Deep in the heart of every person is a passionate desire to know that he or she is fulfilling the purpose for which they have been placed here on this earth. Have you found it? Found that one thing that is worthy of your one life?

Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “We succeed in life as in war, only as we are able to identify a single, over-riding objective, and then bend all other considerations to that one thing.”

What one thing overrides all other considerations in your life? What noble purpose has captured your spirit? What deep resolve beats in your heart? What great decision has won your full allegiance in life?

Assuming that you have indeed found it, let me now ask — how’s it going? If you’ve been at it for any appreciable length of time then you know by now that the journey is no cake walk. It is not a stroll through the park on a blissful Sunday afternoon. No. The path has many turns – up turns and down turns, ditches on both sides, potholes aplenty, and mounds of debris inconveniently strewn all about.

There are setbacks that stall you, and obstacles that intimidate you. There are bystanders that deride you, backsliders that dismay you, and back-stabbers that dishearten you. There are days when you walk with a company of passionate pilgrims who buoy your spirit with renewed aspiration, and then there are the days when you walk the lonesome valley all by yourself. Alone.

You, my friend, are on the Triumphant Trudge! To trudge, according to Webster, is “to walk steadily, and sometimes laboriously; but ever onward.” Isaiah’s poetry says it best, “They shall walk, and not faint.” That is, they shall not tire though the way at times be wearisome.

This will always be the case in every soul who follows Christ up Calvary’s mountain. Despite the trudge of each deliberate step, an unmistakable tone of triumph attends their every move – for each move is always onward, and ever upward. And the Lord who has gone victorious before us will welcome us with open arms on the day we cross over the finish line.

The king said, “Go home, and I’ll take care of this for you.” (2 Samuel 14:8).

Once your petition has been set before the King, and He has given you His assurance that it will be handled by Him personally, and in your best interest — well, to linger any longer in earnest angst would be most insulting to His majesty.

Yet we do it all the time!

“Lord, when? Lord, why? Lord, how long?”

These, and many other hassling questions too often constitute the bulk of our prayer life. Our hearts flood with dark thoughts which spill from our lips in mournful pleas, as we seek His reply to our unanswerable questions. Our hearts have perhaps been broken by the hammer of relentless disappointments, our minds bewildered by unfulfilled hopes, our eyes blurred by tears that never cease — and we hasten to the Lord with our woeful complaints.

And He says, “Go home, and I’ll take care of this for you.”

But we linger in our lamentations, stating our case once again in pitiful details, rehearsing the matter over and over, as though He had not yet heard it. It seems in such moments that we are more in awe of our sorrows than we are of our Savior.

“Go home,” the Lord says, “and I’ll take care of this for you.”

There is a faith, noble and true, that leaves the prayer chamber and enters into the day in utter confidence that the Lord will take care of things in a perfect way — if we would only let Him do it.

As children bring their broken toys with tears, for us to mend;
I brought my broken dreams to God, because He is my friend.
But then, instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone;
I hung around and tried to help in ways that were my own.

He didn’t do at all the things I thought that He should do;
He didn’t mend my broken dreams; He didn’t make them new.
In fact He seemed quite nonchalant, as though He didn’t care.
So, I increased with holy zeal my intercessory prayer.

Watching, waiting for His hand to do what I had prayed;
but nothing I could say or do helped Him on His way!
At last I snatched them back and cried, “How can you be so slow?”
“My child,” He lovingly replied, “you never did let go!”

Oh, hear the Lord’s word to you today — “Go home,” the Lord says, “and I’ll take care of this for you.”

“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29).

Balance is the key to every good thing in life. And imbalance is the root cause of many, many ills.

When there is imbalance in your body, some form or another of illness will occur — physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. When there is imbalance in your home, there will be marital problems, and family difficulties.

Imbalance in your diet, or other appetites, will always results in physical challenges. An imbalance in your checkbook is definitely not a good thing. When you are imbalanced in your work, or in your recreations — somewhere along the line of your life you will have to “pay the piper.”

Balance in all things is the key to every good and lasting thing in life.

Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you.” The Greek word He used was zugos, which means “a coupling.” Specifically, it is the word used to describe the beam of balance that joins two scales together. Webster’s defines balance as “an instrument for weighing; a means of judging, or deciding.”

In other words, the Lord is saying here, “Take My balance upon you; learn to judge things in life, and make decisions as I do.” Paul wrote to us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ” (Philippians 2:5)

The many benefits of this balance are profound. Any man or woman, boy or girl, upon whom this yoke is placed will experience mental, emotional, physical and spiritual steadiness. They will not stumble, or fall; yet, even if they do, it will be but for a moment. For they possess a innate capacity to right themselves and regain their footing. Their lives will be graced with unflappable confidence, even in the midst of upheaval and chaos. Just like Jesus, our Unflappable Champion. Yoked to Him we cannot stumble or fail.

So, as you prepare yourself to go out into today’s world make sure that His yoke is on you; it’s the one thing that makes the difference in every other thing you think or do.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Have you ever prayed something like this: “Lord, I know what you must be thinking about me right now,” and then began to tell Him what you were actually thinking about yourself? We all do this. We condemn ourselves for the mistakes we have made and resolve within ourselves that it must be what the Lord thinks of us.

But, this is a wrong thing to do! We have got to stop “putting our words in the Lord’s mouth.” We must come to know the Lord as He is, and not as we assume Him to be. We must let Him put HIS words in our mouths.

Listen to what the Lord says about Himself in the words of Jeremiah, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). And in the writings of Isaiah, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8,9).

In other words – God thinks more highly of us than we think of ourselves. And God’s plans for us are greater than the plans we would set for ourselves.

Yet something within us makes us believe that God is always angry with us, always ready to “smite us, yea, and that right early!” We tread softly in His presence and cower when we pray, for we dare not rouse Him from slumber lest He strike us with His rod of righteous judgment — O bless His Holy Name!

Now I ask you honestly, how in the world can you have any kind of a meaningful relationship with someone like that? You CAN’T! And that’s precisely why so few really know the Lord.

Why not right now reintroduce yourself to the Lord. And ask Him to reintroduce Himself to you. Start afresh and live in the delight of knowing that His thoughts of you are of peace, and not of evil. And then you will discover, that your thoughts of Him are of peace — and not evil.

Jesus said, “I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.” (John 10:10, Complete Jewish Bible)

Your life is a mission underway. Every day that you live, every breath that you take, every talent you have, every person you meet, everything that you do — all factor into the purpose God has for your life. You are an ambassador for Christ, a merchant of hope, a bringer of good news. And the Lord is with you everywhere you go.

His desire is that you live life in its fullest measure — that you know His presence, sense His pleasure, love His people, serve His purpose, experience His power, receive His provision, and show forth His praises.

His words, spoken from a mountainside so long ago, ring clear and true into every nook and cranny of our world today — “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me, “ Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18~20).

These are our standing orders, and we each must give account one day for the one life we have lived. Vision, passion, discipline and risk are how that life is lived.

Vision produces passion as surely as a spark ignites a fire. Vision and passion produce discipline, for one whose heart is stirred by a noble cause will pay any price to see it realized. Vision, passion and discipline provide the safest environment for one to take the greatest risks. And make no mistake about it—there is no way to live a fully effective Christian life apart from taking risks. The apostle Paul said it this way, “ Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there is no way getting around it!” (2 Timothy 3:12, The Message).

Vision, passion, discipline and risk—the benefits of having these qualities in your life will be enormous. Think about it—can you see how wonderful it would be to help your friends and loved ones find forgiveness of sin and a new life in Christ? Does your heart stir with a passion to do something that can help change the social climate of a nation by the power of the Gospel? Are you living within the guidelines of God’s will for your life as an ambassador for Christ? And, will you take the risk associated with standing up and speaking the truth for Jesus Christ?

Vision, passion, discipline and risk. It’s what makes life worth living!

“I love God because He listened to me.” (Psalm 116:1)

God knows everything and everybody; and everything about everybody. He knows even that which is yet unknown to anybody. There is no thought, idea, invention, place, person, plan, or purpose which He does not know all there is to know about. Imagine, then, the wonder of His genuine attentiveness — “He listened to me.”

Have you ever tried to say something important or personal to someone who wasn’t listening? Oh, sure, they held eye contact, only occasionally glancing away at some passing distraction. And they nodded at appropriate moments, and even muttered a muted grunt while you were speaking. But, despite their feigned interest, the moment they get a chance to reply, they either fire back some trite response that has nothing whatsoever to do with what your were saying; or, they quickly excuse themselves with some pressing need that somehow suddenly came to their mind. Bye.

But God is not like this. He listens.

Obviously, it is not for what He may learn — for He already knows. So why does He do it? Because it gives Him pleasure — the pleasure of seeing, hearing and enjoying our learning process, and the passions that stir our hearts in life.

When you pray, therefore, do it with the awareness that He is the God who listens, and is delighted to do so. Your words matter; each one is carefully weighed by the Master of Words; each phrase is turned over and examined with artful care in His great heart. And He appreciates with Fatherly pride everything you think and say.

And, having listened to you, He will also speak. But here’s the question — do we then listen to Him?

 ”You are My Son, chosen and marked by My love; pride of My life.” (Mark 1:11, The Message).

It is one of the more familiar scenes from the life of Jesus. Standing in the Jordan River as cousin John prepared to perform of His baptism — the time honored ritual that symbolized death, burial and resurrection. How interesting that Christ’s introduction to the public scene would began in just such a manner. And how appropriate.

Indeed, for everything about Him – his teachings, his miracles, his interaction with the leaders of His day – everything was aimed with unswerving accuracy at one thing — the Cross. And how empowering it must have been for Him to hear at that very moment these tender words from His Father — “You are My Son, chosen and marked by My love; pride of My life.”

I firmly believe that everything Jesus said and did from this moment forward flowed out of this one thing – He was secure in His Father’s love for Him. He had no need to perform in order to be accepted and loved. No, He was already accepted and love – and that freed Him to fully carry out His mission.

Now here is the point of what I’m saying. We have no difficulty in hearing that God said such wonderful words to Jesus. Nor should we. Our difficulty comes when someone suggests that God may be saying the same words to us!

As hard as it may be for you to grasp this, or to believe this — it is true. God loves you…..loves you just as He loves Jesus. He says to you, “You are my son, my daughter — chosen and marked by my love — pride of my life!”

Can you not see the evidence of this truth in your life? God has surely chosen you, that’s why you feel and think the way you do. That’s why you hunger for truth and long for something other than what this world can offer. You are chosen by God!

But there is more! You have also been marked by His love. There is something about you that causes others to take note when you are around. A look in your eye, a grace in your words, a power in your presence. But, none of this is originating from you, as though you possessed these things on your own. No, these are but the evidence of being “marked by God’s love.”

And, as surely as any father beams with joy and pride at the birth of a child, so the Lord does over you! It was a happy day of earth when you were born, but it was a happier day in heaven when you were born again!

It’s true! God loves you as a Father loves his child. He has chosen and marked you by His love. You are the pride of His life.

I dare you to believe this for just one day.

I double dare you.

I double-dog dare you!

“Oh, look and see for yourself just how great is the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, Pastor’s Paraphrase)

Years ago one of my first overseas preaching trips took me to England, and then across the Channel into Denmark. Our team was staying at a retreat center near the city of Zwolle, along with a few hundred locals who were attending the conference.

We were there for a full week, but I wasn’t scheduled to speak until Friday evening, which would be our final session. When the time came, I shared my testimony of being in the prison my father built. Many were noticeably moved as the Lord ministered that night.

The next morning as our team gathered at the bus to head for the airport, several people came to send us on our way with warm appreciation for our having come. One man in particular walked over to me and firmly took hold of my hand, holding it with both of his. He was an aged man, wrinkled and weathered with the years, his skin looking like soft leather. His eyes were as blue as the Dutch sky, and tearful.

“I must ask your forgiveness,” he said, looking me square in the eyes.

“Why?” I asked, genuinely perplexed.

“All this week I’ve watched you walk about the grounds, smiling and laughing without a care in the world. And I judged you in my heart. Who is this boy, I thought to myself, that he should come here to tell us how to live. I was sure that you had never known a day of sorrow in your life; born to a good family and raised in a loving home. But then last night I heard your story, and then realized how very wrong I had been.”

At this point my eyes were filled with tears; I wanted to let him know that I held nothing against him — but he wasn’t finished.

“Then it struck me,” he said, “God has been your Father, and that explains why you are so happy. And now, I want Him to be my Father, too.” Wow.

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt.5:16). I saw it happen on that unforgettable day in Denmark; and a thousand more days since then.

Let your light shine — and you will see it, too!

“God the Father has His eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus.” (1 Peter 1:2, The Message)

How good is this!? God Himself, our Heavenly Father, has His eye on each one of us. That is an extraordinary thing – especially when you consider just how many of us there are! Yet, each life and every detail is fully known by the Lord — in a caring manner. Simon Peter goes on to say, “He is always thinking about you, and watching everything that concerns you” (1Peter 5:7, Living Bible). Why, even the very hairs of our heads are numbered.

He sees, He knows, and He cares. Isn’t that good enough to make today worth living?

But there is more! Not only does He profoundly care for you, but He is also determined to do something of great benefit to you. And here it is: He will cause the Holy Spirit to work in your life in every way possible so as to keep you true, faithful, and unerring in your journey with Jesus.

Yes, the Holy Spirit of God is directed by God to fill your heart and life in such measure that you may follow Jesus fully and freely, without mixture of self-will, doubt, or fear. He is here not only to comfort you, but also to consecrate you – to mark you as one set apart for God.

God the Father has His eye on you. He is always thinking about you, and watching everything that concerns you! Once this conviction settles upon your heart, you realize that you don’t have to always be thinking about yourself, and watching over everything that concerns yourself. Duh!

And now that you have all that free time on your hands — why not commit yourself to always be thinking about Him, and watching everything that concerns Him? That’s the much better choice, my friend; why not try it for awhile today!