by adming2G | Mar 2, 2023
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair – 2 Cor. 4:7-8 NKJV
Crushed means pressured. It is the same Greek word for tribulation, also meaning affliction and adversity. It attempts to squeeze out our joy, peace, and rest in the Lord.
Pressures come from various sources. Self-induced pressure causes us to seek perfection because of our expectations. Peer pressure influences us to live up to a certain image, to look and act like others. External pressures to fit into the things of the world. Evil pressure from our adversary battles us through oppression, obstacles, and opposition.
In an oil press, they crushed olives and broke them to produce oil. In the Bible, oil is one symbol of the Holy Spirit. Before the Holy Spirit came, a crushing occurred through the crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He was crushed for us for our transgressions, paid the price for our sin, and rose victorious on the third day.
Under pressure from every side, we rest in the finished work of the Lord. Like Paul, we discover we may be hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed. On the contrary, the crushing causes an abundance of the anointing of the Holy Spirit to flow in and through our lives, from glory to glory!
by adming2G | Feb 16, 2023
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. – Rev. 12:11 KJV
Our testimonies are powerful! They show others the gospel in action. What a powerful witness of the reality of Jesus! Testimonies draw people to our Lord, give them hope, and increase their faith. Their perspective changes when they hear how the Lord has moved in our lives! Satan tries to stop our testimonies because he knows their impact. He makes us focus on the areas where we are still struggling, our lack of knowledge, or how we compare with others.
We might not know how to answer questions about the Bible or about God to others. We might not know the scriptures well. Our memory of the exact words or location of the scriptures we know might be lacking. The way we talk might not be as eloquent as others. One thing is for certain: we know what the Lord has done for us!
It’s all about Jesus, not about us. Once we were blind, but now we see! We were lost, but now are found. Every testimony carries the saving power of the gospel and overcomes satan. Let’s shout it to the rooftops, “look what the Lord has done,” from glory to glory!
by adming2G | Feb 15, 2023
Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.- Psalm 105:19 KJV
Do we recognize our spiritual training? It’s often when we look back and realize we were being taught without knowing it. Our tests are not obvious. The lessons we learn increase our faith and strengthen our walk, even we don’t see it. The Lord trains us to become fit for His glorious purpose.
The tests are not to grade us to gain God’s favor. It is because of His favor that we can learn. Our identity in Him gives us a grade A to start with. Accepted, appointed, and anointed. We pass the tests as winners, even when we must learn the same lessons repeatedly. The purpose of the training is for our transformation and the fulfilling of His glorious plans.
Faith develops through a decision we make that defies our understanding. Patience is developed through an altercation with someone who aggravates us. Perseverance is strengthened when we hang on to our hope by a thread. So many opportunities to grow through our many tests. All pointing to the greatest test: the test of His Word in our lives. Each challenge being a testimony in progress. Through each lesson in our spiritual training, we learn to stand on His Word, from glory to glory!
by Dr. Joelle | Dec 2, 2022
Our risen Lord Jesus often shows up through an unexpected person, at an unexpected time and in an unexpected place; but we can expect He will show up! We may not recognize Him right away, but as He moves, we reach that place where we undeniably declare, “It is the Lord!”
God gives us wisdom through others. We may not recognize it as being from Him, but it will bear witness with our spirit and cause us to take heed and listen because of the authority it carries. We don’t easily detect His timing because it happens when we don’t see it being possible. The place where He manifests Himself is usually unforeseen. It’s not how, where, and when it seems workable that God moves. We can expect the unexpected with joy and peace.
The Lord always produces extraordinary results. All that comes from Him is not ordinary: it’s uncommon, unfamiliar, and so unconventional. What is certain is that He shows up in His astonishing, exceptional, and remarkable way! We expect to stand in awe and proclaim, “It is the Lord!” from glory to glory!
John 21:6-7 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.”
by Dr. Joelle | Jun 1, 2022
He was short for the rent… again. He left his second job, sat in his car, sighed, and shouted, “I will never make it!” A battle of thoughts followed. I can’t provide for my wife and children. I’m such a failure.” He struggled until at last an awakening thought broke through. Oh, I shouldn’t have said that! God, help me!
The Holy spirit showed him his words agreed with satan’s lies. He began, by God’s grace, to come against the lies by speaking the truth. God, you are my helper, my provider, my deliverer! You always make a way of escape. I trust you. Show me your ways. His situation changed. His boss gave him an advance and a month after, a promotion.
Sometimes unspoken words are as powerful as those spoken. We learn to take negative thoughts captive by saying the truth aloud, instead of thinking the lie quietly. As we speak forth words of life, words of death come to nothing. God’s Word builds up, edifies, and exhorts the hearers and the speakers. We go forth in the name of Jesus and declare His Word of Truth, from glory to glory!
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
