faithful – Page 12 – Cross Culture Church

April 2013 Article: “Behold, I Make All Things New”

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“Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelations 21:5

Jesus expresses His displeasure with independent decisions resulting from lawlessness and at the same time, His ultimate intentions for His creation. He will replace what appears to be the norm, which has been generated by the gradual falling away, with something different. While the evolution of thought continues on a natural course of rebellion in defiance to God’s rule, He still remains on the throne. His authority overrules what has been placed into motion by laws and decrees which only make sense to the spiritually insensitive. Yet He awakens and disturbs those who wish to know what He thinks about matters that concern the future of all mankind. Only those who are willing to inquire and allow their inquiries to extend beyond their pleasures will stop long enough to question the established course. It is not by coincidence that moral failures are now being celebrated and normalized today. And consequently, uncertainties are increasing and threatening the security of the whole human race. He who sits on the throne allows circumstances to arise in order for all people to consider their ways. The unheard warnings cannot be heard through instructions are experienced through unusual phenomena.

The prophetic warnings of God are not there to add to humanity’s frustrations, but rather to afford an opportunity for those who will participate in the process of renewal. The Church of God is discontented with the direction of Christendom. Christendom is what the world sees and what the world thinks of the Church as a whole in contrast to those who have “contended for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.” He who sat on the throne arises from His throne in order to address the current state of the Church and the world. This is the judgment that began at the House of God which carries over to the world. The light of God exposes the darkness of the world. He allows those who see what He sees to be disturbed as we see examples throughout the Scriptures. The prophets could not find rest among those who paraded their defiance in the face of God. The blindness of the people occurred through the gradual conditioning taking place through entertainment, false messages, and false signs. God’s Word cuts through the propaganda of this modern age as His truth is being published. “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” In a feel-good world, these words are very disturbing. They speak of the end of things as we know them and a birthing of what glorifies God completely.

The signs are all around us and the foundations of manufactured truths are now being shaken. Some would think that His silence is either acceptance or His content. However, He is removing the residue of the past from the hearts of His people as they are purged to want nothing other than His kingdom to come and will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This is not an addendum to what they desired beforehand, but a new passion that is genuine, sincere, and a revelation to His eternal purpose that is not limited to time or space.

20 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: March 20, 2013

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“Let’s decide which of us is in the right. God may avenge me, but it is in his hands, not mine.”(MSG) 1 Samuel 24:12

We are in a battle for the souls of men. The opposition has the populous vote and has gained momentum over the years. It often appears as if we are on the losing side while vices seem to be virtuous. What the fathers of our faith established is now under attack led by those who ought to be defenders of the faith. Their creeds have been reinterpreted or altogether ignored. Their values have been viewed as obsolete and often amended. Who is listening while God is yet speaking through the faithful few? There are those who are willing to stand against the winds of adversity and defy the storms of error that are unleashed in order to overtake, if possible the very elect. Let God decide who is right and who is wrong. God will avenge His elect. Truth crushed to the earth will rise again. The argument of who is right and who is wrong will eventually be settled. It will not be a draw between two opposing views. God know those who are His and will avenge His own, but it is in His hands and not ours.

19 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: March 19, 2013

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“And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.” Dan 12:13 (MSG)

There are places to go and things yet to be done by those who have put their trust in the Lord. None can predict the future, but we can rest assured that the outcome is in His hands. Situations can be paralyzing to those who have no hope beyond what they are able to see. Then others have completely ignored the signs and have not prepared themselves for what we have been prophetically forewarned. There is a God-given task to which the sons of men ought to be engaged. We are to occupy until He comes. The threats are real, but should not create fretting or worrying to the prepared. We have One in whom we have placed our trust. When the storms have passed us over, and the clouds have lifted, we will be standing on our feet to receive our rewards from God who rewards the faithful.

14 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: March 14, 2013

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“For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Romans 3:3

God is determined to fulfill every one of His promises. Too much is at stake for Him to fail. Yet there are many who doubt Him and question His authority and abandon their post defecting from the faith. Does unbelief negate God’s faithfulness? He allows the rain to fall on the unjust as well as the righteous. He provides for believers as well as unbelievers. Seasons of the year that change for all to receive the benefits of change. Yet God is determined to raise up a remnant among His people who will obey Him and receive the full benefit of His promises. They will hear His voice and heed to His call. If not the parents, He may reach some of their children. What is rejected by one generation may been embraced by their successors. God will provide future evidence of His truth. When all else is shaken and crumbles to the earth, His Word will remain. And what was once cast down and rejected will be raised by and through what God has already spoken.

06 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: March 6, 2013

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“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13

Is it possible for a faithful servant of God to be tempted? Experience provides evidence that all are tempted on occasion. Yet temptations do not have to overtake you. The objective of the Tempter is to overtake the lives of those who do not deliberately fight against what has come to mind. When it becomes a thought that is difficult to erase from the memory, it is easy to yield to the temptation exclusively tailored for you. Yet there is a way of freedom to cancel thoughts that would otherwise translate into actions. It does not lie on the surface but must be sought after. He reveals His sacrifice of life and love in contrast to the current offer. Only then will you be provoked to respond rightly. On the other side of the temptation is the evidence of true love expressed from your heart as a sign of gratitude. When you bear under the pressure of temptation, you are providing evidence that you love Jesus more than any object of affection or attraction that is there to replace what He alone can give.

02 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: June 2, 2012

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“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation3:8

The faithfulness of the saints provides endless opportunities in the future. Our future is determined by the decisions we currently make. An open door is set before those who know the name of the Lord. When His character is known and given expression He can then work through that individual without the objections of the flesh. The Holy Spirit’s assignment is to make Christ known to us. He reveals Him in the midst of even the most trying of circumstances. When He is known in truth, He will not be denied. We must maintain a steadfast faith in Him even though doors may now be closed before us. He can open doors that no man open and He can shut doors that no man can close. Even the little strength that is maintained is enough when His strength is at work within us. He will do His work among the weakest for His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.

01 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: June 1, 2012

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“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” Luke 12:48

God expects a return on His investments. The gifts of God are given to each person in order for all to profit as result of His distributions. It is not based on what most would consider as the criteria for God’s judgments. God is not equal in His judgments, but He is equitable. Grace is freely given, but God determines who will receive what is being distributed. Yet we may covet what we deem as necessary, but it must only be for the advancement of His kingdom and not our own. When our hearts yearn to do more for God and we feel powerless to fully participate with Him in what He wills to do, it is in order to seek Him for the empowering gifts that would further qualify us. Yet in our earnestness to receive, it does not obligate Him to any measure to give us what we consider to be necessary. He will give us what He knows is best for ourselves as well as others. But the warning is not to frustrate the grace of God. What God gives must be used as He wills for it to be used. God requires faithfulness of His servants. Only then are they obedient and not wicked.