To the Uttermost

Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.
Hebrews 7:25 The Amplified Bible

One of the most frustrating things in life to me is to start a long-term process in great detail with one person and then, before it’s completed, have to pick up the process with someone new because the first person left. Details get lost in the process of bringing someone else up to speed. After the 2nd or 3rd time, one tends to take the short road, no matter how bumpy. You have all the history, you may even take all the files, but you don’t know if the new person will take the time to read all of that or if they'll even want to. Sometimes, it’s a project that has taken several years to define, only to be put on hold because of a change in management or leadership...

Sometimes, our lives are like that. If you've ever changed jobs or moved to a new town or did a combination of the two, it can feel a little crazy – okay, a LOT crazy – because it takes us out of our comfort zone, and we feel as though we have to start over finding those comfortable spots again. New mechanic, hairdresser, doctor, etc. However, our Scripture for today gives me hope. You see, as NOT perfect as I am at this point in my life, trust me when I tell you that through the Grace of God, there has been MUCH progress made overall. And no matter where His will takes me, no matter how many new people or systems come into my life, no matter how many are 'left behind' - the One Constant in my life is Him.

He is eternal. He knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. All of my days were numbered before I drew my first breath. There isn’t anything about me, good, bad or otherwise, that He doesn’t already know and has taken into account. I don’t have to worry about what He may find out that may color His opinion of me, He knows it all and loves me in spite of it. There isn’t anything in my present or my future that He doesn’t already know about and He has already made the way for me.

He might get angry with me, but with great mercies will He gather me unto Himself. (Isaiah 54:8)

He will never leave me, nor forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)

His banner over me is love. (Song of Solomon 2:4)

He rejoices over me with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I am safe in Him for all time. (Psalm 144:2)

Jesus is able to save me to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) because He is alive forever. He has risen indeed – Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Father,
           Lift our eyes to see the eternal, so that we don’t get stuck in the muck of today. You are our God, our Deliverer, Redeemer, Restorer, Refiner… Keep working in us, O Lord, so we come through the fire as pure gold; Fit to do Your will. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Finish It

God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.
Ephesians 6:10-13 The Message

I've lost count of the times I have heard this question - "Why can't we all just get along?" And while the truth would be, "Light can't abide with darkness", I also have to remember that we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Although my flesh wants to rip and tear, I am bound by the Word in Romans 12:17-18, Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

John 3:17 declares that God sent His Son to save the world, not to condemn it. We must remember that we are not to fight people; we're fighting spiritual wickedness. Christ died for all mankind, no matter their political beliefs; no matter their spiritual beliefs or lack thereof. Christ died so ALL would have the opportunity to receive the salvation He so freely offered us. God doesn't love me more than the unsaved heathen who uses His Name in vain.

You won't go to battle and die for something or someone you don't love or believe in. Jesus said in Luke 9, If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. Paul wrote, I die daily... Where did we ever get the idea that living a Christian life would be a walk in the park?

So, how do we fight enemies we do not see? Can we go charging after and be effective in routing an unseen adversary? No! We cannot go charging off on our own, under our own power, our own steam. If we're going to fight - and finish - the fight of good faith, we must follow the Leader. We have to follow the Lord. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.

What are the weapons? Continue on in Ephesians 6, Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In other words, don't show up to a sword fight without The Sword.

In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Let's finish this thing. It's time to go Home.

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for providing everything we need to do in order to do everything You have called us to do. You are the ultimate Leader. Father, we want to finish this fight with You. Continue to lead us and instruct us. Ramp up our training so we can be effective in winning souls and winning the battles. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Let's Finish This

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

1st Corinthians 9:24-25 NLT

People worldwide will watch the Olympics when they're on. Every day, you get a medal count - who's ahead in a particular sport, who's won the event, which country is leading in totals. It's all very exciting! And we feel as if we are involved even though we're not participating. We erupt in cheers when they win - we groan in commiseration when they fall or falter. We win, we lose - we're passionate about it and it's not even our prize! So I hate to bring it up, but a year later, do we even remember the names of the winners and losers? No, not for the most part.

God the Father never forgets who we are. He keeps total track of us at all times. He's watching to see how we will finish the race. Are we disciplined in our training? Do we persevere? Will we get back up - even if we've fallen - and finish the race? Hebrews 12:1 tells us, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 

The finish line is just ahead. See it? Let's finish this.

Prayer:

Father,

          Your Word lights our way. It is in the discipline of it that we learn to stay focused. Increase our knowledge and wisdom, Lord, so that we are able to accomplish Your plan for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Working and Working and Working Some More

God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:13 NLT

I find great hope in this verse. 

Increasingly, I find I have more of a desire to do what will please God, and I am encouraged to know that He is at work in me to give me the power to do it. At work in me to provide the discipline to override my flesh that just wants to be a couch potato after a long week. At work in me to accomplish and complete those God ideas pulling at my heart and the tasks that are calling my name. 

In John 9:4, Jesus tells us, We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.

I know I'm playing catch up from the moments and hours I have wasted in this life. When that night comes, I want to be able to say that I have finished what God assigned to me. I do not want to stand before Almighty God and not be finished. That's why it gives me such great hope to know that God is working in us... working and working and working some more.

Prayer:

Father,
           We want to do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize us. Help us to live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Most of all, Father, we want to finish our assignment and fulfill Your purpose for our lives. Thank You for providing such great hope by working in us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen