Entering God’s Rest

You might be surprised that we can do more resting than doing any other activity... 

In it we rest our physical body, mind, spirit and soul which are all one and all essential to our total being. In rest every part of our being recharges and can fully function again to maximum potential.

We live in a world which is fast paced, doesn’t sleep and consumes tonnes of stimulants to keep us going. Many are proudly self-confessed workaholics, even when our body is crying out for a break. But this is not natural to our being and how we were created. Hebrews 4 describes the amazing blessings of resting and its future promise to those who love God. 

Hebrews 4:1-3  Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. ² For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.³ Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, ‘So I declared on oath in my anger, “They shall never enter my rest.”’

The Israelites when they left Egypt were promised a land of their own that they could possess and find rest from their slavery. But sadly, through unbelief, disobedience, rebellion and hardened hearts they never made it.

God too desires for us to enter our Promised Land of blessings and rest, here on earth and later in heaven. But human nature does not change, and we too can fall short of everything God has for us.

Though a rest is promised to us if we seek it, there is reason to think that many Christians fail reaching it who had expected to obtain it.

1. Those who are professors of religion but who have never known anything of true piety;
2.  Those who are expecting to be saved by their own works, and are looking forward to a world of rest on the ground of what their own hands can do;
3.  Those who defer attention to the subject from time to time until it becomes too late. They expect to reach heaven, but they are not ready to give their hearts to God now, and the subject is deferred from one period to another, until death arrests them unprepared;

Hebrews 4:6-7  Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, ⁷ God again set a certain day, calling it ‘Today’. This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’

Many today hear the gospel and offer of Salvation through faith in Christ. But how many accept it with open arms, fully embrace it and live it each day? Our heart is unfortunately deceitful and double minded, desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). We can love God and people one moment and then turn without warning and become hateful.

Our sinful nature and our spirit are at a great war with each other. Sometimes our greatest enemy is ourselves which craves the evil things of this world which never satisfies. How many times do we do evil that we know we should not, and don’t do righteous deeds we know we should? (Romans 7)

It is in this place that our hearts can become hardened; we rebel, become disobedient and unbelieving and turn away from the living God. Human nature does not change.

Hebrews 4:8-11  For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; ¹⁰ for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. ¹¹ Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Perhaps the greatest failure a person could ever make is to fail in their pursuit to entering heaven. To miss out on all that God had in store and experience all His blessings and promises for all of eternity. How dreadful the thought, to hear the gospel but to be too busy to investigate it properly and eternally perish in hell.

And how terrible to run well as a believer but yet to permit the devil, the world or the flesh to hinder in the few last steps! Christian watch out for yourself and examine if your faith is strong and real (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Hebrews 4:12-13  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

All scripture is from God and profitable for every area of our lives when we apply it and live it radically. The bible is no book of fictional stories and fantasies – it is God’s love story towards a fallen creation who desires to only have relationship with us and to bless us with His promises.

One of these is the promise of rest – for our body, soul and spirit so we can fully enjoy everything He has for us. God’s Word is the GPS to our Promised Land of rest and finding our way through sometimes dark roads to our eternal destination of Heaven.

His Word reveals everything that we are, cutting deep like a butter knife into our thoughts and intentions! Scripture is a powerful weapon of Truth and Revelation against the lies of the enemy and this world that desire to lead us astray.

Hebrews 4:14-16  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

If God rested from all His work creating the universe from nothing, we too must as well. How often can we be so busy and exhausted from serving at church, burning out and religious acts of good deeds?

Legalism is a tempting lifestyle to live in, for it promises good favour with man and God but when it becomes its own pursuit it leaves us with nothing but self-righteousness and bitterness. If God rested that means He left us an example to follow, which includes:

• Resting from church activities
•  Resting from a multitude of good works
•  Resting from work and employemnt
•  Resting from relationships
•  Resting from hobbies and leisure

Because we are promised in Psalm 62:1, My soul finds rest in God alone. 

Without Revelation the People Perish

One of the most essential disciplines as a Christian is to have regular revelations in your walk with Christ...

All believers need to be stirred and refreshed weekly to keep their Faith strong, pure and alive. We often experience a thousand discouragements a week and consequently need to constantly be in the word, worship and presence of God (private and corporate) to stay strong in faith.

Proverbs 29:18

NIV - Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.

NLT - When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. 

ESV - Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

 

This proverb is one of the better known of the many proverbs in the book of wisdom but sadly the least practiced. The truth is you can have a head full of theology but no POWER in your spirit. Revelation keeps us centered in Christ and alive in our spirit.

Scripture warns us that human nature is to become complacent and settle in our walk with God. When believers stop having God ENCOUNTERS and discover new revelations of who Jesus is they begin to ‘cast off restraint’ or ‘run wild’.

In the Old Testament, many of the prophets warned the people to turn back to God and repent after receiving fresh revelation. They tapped into the true spiritual condition of the land and boldly spoke to the people who had abandoned God’s law.  

Without prophetic revelation people lose touch with God, backslide and finally perish forever separated from God. Why? Because of lack of knowledge. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. . . . [They] have forgotten the law of God” (Hosea 4:6).

In all honesty, I can’t guarantee that you will still be following Jesus when you stop having God encounters. Many believers backslide by simply being distracted by the things of the world and place priority with God from No. 1… to 2… 4… 8…12…. until He no longer becomes a priority.

So what brings personal revelation? Simply taking time out of our busy world and going to the secret place of PRAYER. It is getting a word from God in every season and unlocking heaven into our spirit regularly which will ensure that we ENDURE as believers at a time when many are turning away.

Revelation is the FIRE to your faith which brings your spirit alive and makes you unstoppable in your world of influence. A fresh new lease of life comes within you. No argument or negative circumstance can take away your revelation easily. Revelation releases the RESOURCES of heaven, for example:

• When you are healed of sickness by the revelation of Christ as healer, no one can argue against it.
• When God provides the dream job and abundant provision at a time of great need, no one can argue against it.
• When your personal world is falling apart and God is your shield and sword and comes through for you, no one can argue against it.
• When God silences your enemies and critics in one day on your behalf, no one can argue against it!

 

The position of our HEART determines what you receive from God. A negative, wounded and critical spirit will receive little from God. But a cheerful, expectant and soft heart will DOWNLOAD the mysteries of Heaven, fresh ideas, creativity and words of knowledge for others.

When you get a revelation TRUTH becomes alive to you! Lies are uncovered and strongholds of negative mindsets peel away. Jesus said when you know Him you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free (John 14:6). The Truth of Jesus Christ is often the FIRST revelation we receive but it can not stop here.

What are the 7 revelations we need to regularly receive to endure in the Faith?

1) Identity in Christ - Get a REVELATION of the cross and what it accomplished for you personally. That it was your sin, your shame and your judgement that Jesus took for you. That because of the Cross you are perfectly forgiven, justified and righteous before God (Rom 3-5).

2) The Father Heart - Get a REVELATION of God’s unconditional love for you which is not dependent upon works, success, appearance, being perfect or popularity. Your identify, value, belonging and purpose are found in the Father Heart, nothing else. Upon this foundation will your faith endure when the storms of life come (Matt 7:24).

3) Power of Prayer - Get a REVELATION of the power of prayer. We renew our PURPOSE in the secret place of prayer. Beware of your thoughts and mindsets. This is important as our mindsets are so powerful. They reflect the condition of our heart and open or close heaven over our lives. Often the loudest voice wins at the end of the day, so pray until something happens. Take the 30 minute challenge of just speaking in tongues and let your confession only be of faith. Finally if all else fails, speak what is not into existence! (Rom 4:17)

4) Power of the Word - Get a REVELATION of the power of the Word of God. Scripture is where revelation starts. Read until He speaks to you. Believers who willingly and earnestly submit themselves to the word of God are naturally blessed in all they do. ‘All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable’ (2 Tim 3:16).

5) Power of your Faith - Get a REVELATION of the power and authority of your faith. Faith lived effectively is strong, immovable and above circumstances. It has substance, meaning it can be seen and touched. Jesus said many times ‘according to your faith let it be’. Whatever measure of faith you have is what you can only receive. The unseen is very real - what happens in the spiritual directly effects the physical (Matt 18:18).

An easy example to measure it is Faith with $100 value can easily take hold of a $50 need, possibly for a $150 need, but not a $10,000 need. Our Faith should grow every year to the point where we can cash in to the bank of heaven and withdraw during a time of great need for ourself and others.

6) Fear of the Lord - Get a REVELATION of the fear of God, which is reverence towards His greatness and power. A healthy holy fear is essential to living in obedience to His commands where love for God does not always motivate. 'Without holiness no one will see the LORD' (Heb 12:14).

7) Living for Eternity - Get a REVELATION that our life is merely a vapour compared to eternity when we pass from this life to the next. Everything that we do now has eternal ramifications. Live for the Kingdom of God and investing your life into the local church which is heavens vehicle on earth (Matt 6:33).

This week get a fresh revelation from God and seek Him in prayer. Knowledge is power and revelation is INVINCIBLE to your faith. Share what you have received with others and discover anew the wonderful mysteries and blessings we can access with our relationship with Christ.

  

“Your Kingdom Come...”

One of our highest priorities should be everyday to build the Kingdom...

People today have two options: to build their own ‘kingdom’ accumulating wealth, possessions and fame for their own benefit, with themselves as 'king'. Or to step down from their throne and serve God’s eternal Kingdom here on earth which will last forever.

When a person is fixated on keeping up with the Jones' of improving their home, buying expensive cars/properties, and wearing the latest clothes/accessories, it is all for their personal 'kingdom' which will all rust, fade and disappear. This is all in vain as the reality is every person ever born came into the world with nothing and will likewise leave with nothing. 

The comparison trap is self inflicted torture because you will always feel second and never measure up. History shows that the most miserable people are those who have apparently everything the world can offer. However, money and possessions doesn't make people happy, just more anxious and empty. What we choose to live for is therefore essential. 

When a believer is planted in church, serving and giving in faith for the benefit of others, being stewards of their gifts, surely they are building God’s Kingdom which will endure forever. In eternity, all that will matter with everything we ever did and accomplished in life was if we contributed to building the Kingdom of God. Surely he will never be shaken; his righteousness endures forever (Psalm 112:6).

Matthew 6:9-10 - In this manner pray .... Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

It is amazing that there are 365 mentions of the word ‘kingdom’ in the bible, meaning a city, nation, people or empire. Many of these refer to earthly kingdom’s that came and went and are now nothing today. However, God’s Kingdom is forever and all the faithful saints who contributed to it will be remembered and rewarded forever. 

Jesus’ model prayer for us was that God’s Kingdom would come above all other things in our lives. Today, the church is God’s vehicle for advancing the Kingdom. Church is a place of community, breakthroughs, miracles and victory. It is the greatest place we can ever build and invest our lives into that will surely last forever. We are assured that when we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will give us all our needs and desires, without having to strive for them (Matt 6:33). 

Matthew 16:19 - And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Whatever is bound in heaven is bound on earth. Sickness, poverty, disease and fear can not reside in heaven. Additionally, whatever is loosed in heaven is loosed on earth. Blessing, Favour, Peace, Joy and Breakthrough are unlimited when declared over your life. If these are not taking place, speak what is not into existence today. Your confession is powerful because your words are powerful. 

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like….”

Matthew 13:24 - Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field…”

Of the forty parables Jesus taught, almost half are directly related to explaining the mystery and greatness of the Kingdom. In Matthew 13, there are twelve direct references alone describing the Kingdom of God:

1) The Wheat and the Tares – God’s true people will be clearly identified from the false

2) The Mustard Seed – starts small but becomes the greatest of all kingdoms

3) The Leaven – takes over every area of a person’s life

4) The Hidden Treasure – our greatest joy and happiness

5) The Pearl of Great Price – worth selling everything we have

6) The Dragnet – the final separation of the righteous and the wicked

Prerequisites for the Kingdom

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God...

The Kingdom of God is not open to just anyone. It is a place of holiness, peace, freedom and perfection. Anything evil or unrighteous will never be allowed to enter for the safety of its inhabitants. We are living now in the age of Grace with time to change our ways and become citizens of the Kingdom. 

But those who are blinded to their own agenda and hold on to their own 'kingdom' will never know how amazing they could have had it serving God's Kingdom. Some of the main prerequisites for entering the Kingdom are:  

1) Childlike faith - Matthew 18:1-4

2) Forgiveness to others - Matthew 18:22-24

3) No love for the things of this world - Matthew 19:23-25

4) Available to all people who accept willingly and humbly - Matthew 22:1-3

5) Personal holiness, sacrifice and attentiveness- Matthew 25:1-13

6) Faithful with multiplying our gifts & talents - Matthew 25:14-30

7) Faith with good works of social justice - Matthew 25:31-46

8) We must be born again/genuine salvation experience - John 3:1-8

9) We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God - Acts 14:21-23

Make it your aim this year and beyond to re-evaluate your life and if your living for the temporary or the eternal. Never sacrifice the eternal for the temporal which doesn't satisfy because it was never meant to satisfy. Ultimately, since we are receiving a Kingdom which can not be shaken, let us serve God acceptably with sincere motives and a joyful heart (Hebrews 12:28). 

Heart Condition

The most important priority you have in life is taking care of the internal condition of your heart…

Our spiritual heart affects literally every single area of our lives. It makes our decisions, determines our direction and controls our choices. When a person, object or habit has our heart it impacts everything we have, say and do. Who you are now, where you are going, what your doing and why you speak is all dependent on your current heart condition.

Our spiritual heart is to be closely looked after and guarded at all costs. If you were to have your door open at all hours of the day in an unsafe city known for stealing, violence and crime, would you sleep at night? Definitely not. But this is what a person’s life looks like when the door to their life is open for all the world to come in and out. They are moved by their circumstances and emotions which go up and down - everyday!

Our heart is the open door to every area of our life – emotionally, spiritually, physically, financially and relationally. No wonder Proverbs exhorts us: ABOVE ALL ELSE, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do! (4:23) How sad that people choose to carry things in their heart for decades refusing to let go of the pain of the past; not just for others sake but for their own.

Similarly, I heard a story about a man requiring a heart transplant. He was a happy and friendly man who didn’t touch alcohol, but the heart the doctors put in him the medical history of the deceased discovered after that they were an alcoholic and struggled with anger issues. Weeks after the operation the man was struggling with alcoholism and battling strong emotions of anger towards his family. Is there a connection?

1) Deceitful Heart

Jeremiah 17:9-10 - The human heart is the deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.

Our heart can be incredibly deceiving and wicked when we live for self and sin. Our sinful nature is to have a dark and rebellious heart when sin takes root within us. Human nature can be incredibly wicked and commit acts of total depravity. Of course we would never believe we might do something evil, until circumstances and life’s pressures squeeze out what is really inside of us.

What will take you out of the faith more than anything is the hidden insecurities, anxieties, fears and evil cravings within our hearts. It seems with every year God is always doing a good and mighty work within us each year. To get the garbage out of us through the trials, storms of life and wilderness seasons behind closed doors.

Christianity isn’t behaviour modification – it is a heart transformation. When we are saved God promises to give us a new heart and a new mind to live for Him and to set us free (Ezekiel 36:26). From this place is a journey of God healing and cleaning our hearts so we can draw near to Him closer every day. 

2) Whole Heart

Luke 6:45 - A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Scripture abounds it seems with specific references to the importance of our heart. The NKJV has 923 references to the heart in the bible alone!

What is inside our hearts is very important to God. The heart and the spirit are closely connected and it is our spirit that connects us to Him. Your heart and thoughts can keep you from God’s best because they are so powerful. When Jesus said if we desire within to hate our brother or to have lust towards someone it is no different than doing it in real life (Matt 5:21-30). Furthermore, Job in his greatest trial said ‘what I feared came upon me’ (Job 3:25).

What we align in our heart will eventually become our reality. Depression, misfortune, poverty and sickness follow those with a sick heart. In contrast, joy, peace, blessing and creativity are the atmosphere of heaven which follow you when you have a healthy heart. For as a man thinks on his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7).

3) Heart for God

Acts 13:22 – David was a man after God's own heart, because he ruled the people according to the Divine will.

David had a heart after God's own heart and was used powerfully in his generation. A heart after God is to stay happy, holy and humble. God is looking all over the world for those who are genuinely after His own heart. In all truth God doesn’t need you to have anything to be chosen; just a willing and surrendered heart, flexible and soft to do whatever He calls you to do in life.

You will know what’s really inside your heart when you look in the mirror of God's Word (James 1:27).
A man who looks himself in the mirror but forgets and walks away unchanged is a fool. It takes great humility and discipline to look and examine yourself and change areas that are hindering you in life.

Truly thank God that He doesn’t give you all the self centered desires of your heart, which if He said yes to them all would have ruined you. The three highest priorities God has for you right now is Faith, Character and Capacity. All of these begin with the heart and He has the perfect plan to orchestrate them in your life to grow!

4) Sick/Healthy Heart

Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick

Deep wounds and inner scars can keep us far from God. Likewise, pride, lust, greed, unforgiveness, depression, anxiety, fears, bitterness, hatred and idolatry are all brick walls that keep us from a blessed relationship with God. A cold heart is insensitive to His presence and deceived of His character. If God has to offend our minds to expose our hearts He will.

It makes perfect sense that psychiatrists and modern medicine earn billions of dollars trying to fix and heal people’s broken hearts. Their outer body is working perfectly fine but on the inside their heart is either seriously sick, broken, limping or dying. Their emotional world is a mess and they have no control over what they think or do.

Put simply, YOU CAN NOT AFFORD A SICK HEART in life. Your negative internal world will not bring success or victory to your external world. However, there is hope. If your heart is sick or not in good shape, God is the Master healer and cleaner for your greatest possession. 

Prayer is a heart condition more than anything. It changes you first which will impact your circumstances second. I have found God doesn't speak to you at times when our heart condition is far from Him (disobedience, cold, dead, deceived, bitter, unbelief). All of these are barriers that are like loud noises keeping us from hearing from the words of our Father.

But good news! God doesn’t see you today, He sees who you can become. The first step is to get in touch with our true Heart Condition, see it for what it really is and surrender it to God. Remember: Salvation comes by surrendering our hearts to Jesus first. Out of this place salvation will come to all other areas of our lives.

Finally, God is not looking for a perfect heart – He is looking for a directed heart. When we surrender our hearts to Him we are in a place He can use us and set us free in the areas we are sick or not whole. What’s more God knows what in our hearts but He loves you the same. Let this encourage you today and desire each day to make sure you living with a Heart Condition that is happy, holy and humble. 

The Mystery Revealed

Everyone is fascinated by mysteries...

Mysteries are something that is dark, obscure, a secret, or puzzling to the majority. When a mystery is revealed it inspires and empowers our knowledge. The Greek word is mysterion - a truth hidden from human knowledge or understanding but now disclosed by the revelation of God. Specifically, in Ephesians 3, it is several things hidden since the beginning of time.

1)      The Dispensation of God’s Grace

Ephesians 3:1-4 NKJV - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— ² if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, ³ how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, ⁴ by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)…

The grace of God is a combination of forgiveness, salvation, undeserved kindness and empowerment. Of all these most references in the NT refers to grace as empowerment. This is a supernatural power given to us that transforms our hearts and minds daily. It is God’s sanctifying, renewing, empowering and transforming power that we become more like Christ. Paul’s theme over and over through his letters is this mysterious transformation power received through faith and humility. The best evidence of a real God is a changed life. The sinful nature no longer has control over our lives in addictions, negative emotions, bondage and pain. We can now live in freedom and victory as overcomers through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery

2)      The Salvation of the World

Ephesians 3:5-7 NKJV - which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: ⁶ that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, ⁷ of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power…

For thousands of years only the Jewish race of Israel was given the privilege of being God’s people. They were blessed with God’s provision, protection and prosperity when they walked in obedience and faith. As God’s people they had a special covenant of promise. But after thousands of years of separation the unthinkable happened. Through Jesus’ work on the Cross all people around the world now have the invitation to walk and live in relationship with God. To have the privilege and honour of being part of His people – loved and treasured unconditionally. This is the mystery.

3)      Heaven on Earth Channeled through God’s Church

Ephesians 3:9-12 NKJV - to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; ¹⁰ to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Finally, God’s perfect plan from the beginning of time was that believers would gather together in communities of love and fellowship called the Church. It would be a place of unity, serving one another, encouraging and growing together in the knowledge of God. Heaven on earth is no better displayed than when God’s people live and walk in grace towards each other in fellowship. God’s eternal purpose from the beginning of time was that the universe of the heavenly places of His manifold wisdom would be expressed through His Church. This is the mystery.

Paul marveled at the grace given to him which he was called to preach the gospel that makes the mystery a reality. When we consider his life before Christ and life as an apostle, we see that his calling really was all a powerful work of grace. Furthermore, it is indeed amazing that God would take a reformed Pharisee, and a persecutor of the church to be the main minister of the mystery. Bringing the hostile relationship between Jew and Gentile together into one new body called the Church.

In his letters Paul wanted everyone to know, “I’m not making this up. This isn’t my invention. God gave me the revelation and I am only His messenger of this truth.” It cost Paul a lot of persecution and sacrifice to hold on to this mystery, so he could never have made it up himself. He wants everybody to see and share in the fellowship of this mystery - which it precisely was because it was unknowable until God revealed it.

The ancient Greek word for God’s wisdom is polupoikilos, which has the ideas of intricacy, complexity, and great beauty. God’s dream was that the church would shine brightly and be glorious on the earth, in reigning over the nations. For it is through the church that the infinite wisdom of God might be made known.

This explains how God will reveal His wisdom, and to whom He reveals it. He will reveal it by His work in the church, and He will reveal it to angelic beings (principalities and powers) both good and evil. This is God’s eternal purpose in Jesus, that in the fullness of the times, God will gather together and resolve all things in Jesus.

The church appears to be God’s pilot scheme for the reconciled universe of the future, the mystery of God’s will to be administered in the fullness of the times when the things in heaven and the things on earth are brought together in Christ – anonymous.

Now that you understand this mystery, what are you going to do about it?

Plans vs Purpose

There is a significant difference between plans verses purpose it seems. Proverbs 19:21 says Many are the PLANS in a mans heart; But it is the LORD’s PURPOSE that prevails


1) PLANS
Mans plans are our dreams, ideas, choices and decisions. They come from us, from others and from the influences around us. They can be to get married, buy a house, move cities, change churches ... anything! Generally, they are the big decisions that determine what we do, where we go and who we do them with.

2) PURPOSE

God’s purpose is His intention for what happens in our lives. Purpose is a set direction and a final destination. God’s purpose is His best. His purpose should become our purpose. His Ways are Higher than our Ways. Purpose doesn’t always make sense until you arrive at the destination. You may fight God all the way kicking and screaming, but He will be right all along in the end. If your plans are contrary to God’s purposes, He will orchestrate events so His purpose will prevail within you. Scripture simply abounds on this powerful concept:

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good PURPOSE.

• The power of God’s grace and the Holy Spirit are alive in us, transforming us to desire and do God’s great purposes. He gives us a new heart and mind to live for Kingdom assignments and no longer foolish earthly activities


Matthew 8:28 All things work together for good, to those who love God and are called to His PURPOSE.

• Not that all things are good that happen to us. But in heavens eyes anything that strengthens your faith, character and capacity is God’s good purpose to those who love Him

Ephesians 1:11; 3:11 In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the PURPOSE of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will... This was according to the eternal PURPOSE that He has realised in Christ Jesus our Lord.


• God’s great purpose which was once hidden is now revealed to us in Christ. God calls us to consider the greatness of God’s great purpose for the eternal ages to come. He invites us to be part and take our place in His amazing purpose!

Isaiah 14:24; 27 The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have PURPOSED, so it will stand” …. For the LORD Almighty has PURPOSED, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

• Whatever God plans can not be changed or altered. What has been spoken stands as divine and Truth. Once it has been declared it can not be taken back. His Word will not return back void and empty. His purposes are His good plans that will bring Him alone glory. There is simply no wisdom, no insight and no plan that can succeed against our God.



Ultimately, letting go of our plans to take hold of God’s purposes is to be our constant objective. No matter how good or amazing our plans are, they will simple never measure up or exceed God’s perfect purposes. Good is always the enemy of God’s best. For He can do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask, think or imagine!

The Significance of Your Legacy

It is a question most of us never really think about...

Or if we do we tend to put it aside and try to ignore it. The big question we have all been asked so many times: What do you want to be remembered for? What do you want to accomplish that will have a lasting impact? That your footsteps mattered and your life counted. In one hundred years time people will still remember your legacy...

Another word for legacy is influence. Influence is any type of positive pressure, control, persuasion, encouragement or inspiration that impacts others to yourself. It is the power affecting a person or course of events produced by influence. All leadership is influence, yet not many know the true power of it.

Like everything, influence can be positive or negative and used for good or evil. Leaders are held to a high standard before God and must give an account of their entire life, influence and legacy (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was a Christian preacher and theologian who was central to bringing the First Great Awakening. His descendants went on to be influential ministers, college presidents, financiers, surgeons and judges. Compare the lives of Edwards with a standard person of his day...

A Brief Family History of Max Jukes

Max Jukes was an atheist who lived in New York during the 19 century. Of his 560 known descendants:

• 7 were murderers
• 60 became thieves
• 67 reported having syphilis
• 100 were alcoholics
• 50% of the women in his family line became prostitutes
• 300 died prematurely

  

The Family History of Jonathan Edwards

• 300 were preachers
• 295 were college graduates
• 100 were missionaries
• 100 were lawyers
• 80 held public office including 1 Vice President of the United States (Aaron Burr), 13 US senators, 1 state governor, 3 big city mayors and 1 US controller
• 75 military officers
• 65 college professors including 13 college presidents
• 56 physicians including 1 Dean of Medical School

Jonathan and his wife Sarah Edwards are among the most notable parents in American history. By 1900, the descendants of their eleven children left a legacy of hundreds of significant and respectable individuals who changed their world. The generational legacy of Edward's children reflects how the influence of a sincere follower of Jesus Christ is passed down through history. 

Why was Jonathan Edwards able to pass on such an incredible legacy? He was a man of prayer. Few know that though he was an incredibly busy man, he was also a very devoted husband and father. Edwards spent at least one hour per day praying for and speaking blessing over each of his eleven children. Because of his commitment to pray for his children on a daily basis God blessed not only them but his entire generational line!

Genesis 22:17-18 -“I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.  Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

God is a generational thinker and long range multi-generational planner. He honours the covenant He made with Abraham in order to perpetuate blessing down Abraham’s family line. If you are IN Christ that include you and me.

What legacy do you want to leave?

Sources:

Roberts Liardon, God's Generals: The Revivalists, Whitaker House, 2008, page 131

familylegacyinternational.org/.../Leaving%20a%20Family%20Legacy.doc