In the midst of a cultural upheaval, uncertainty, despair and division – we have a choice in what we allow to come forth from our mouths – either words of life, hope, faith, grace, and love OR death, despair, shame, judgment, and hopelessness. What will you choose?

It is easy to allow the circumstances of our lives and this world to overwhelm us, to sit in our own pit of worry, anxiety, and anguish.  Despondency, apathy, lukewarmness should never be what describes Christians.

So, how do we rise up?  How do we live differently?

As long as we are believers in Jesus Christ, we are never without hope!

No matter what the future holds, no matter how hard things might become – LIFE should be the words that drip from our tongues.  We have hope for tomorrow, we have hope for what comes in death…  And friends, we carry the TRUTH and the NAME of Jesus.  In Him, we find our confidence!  Consider these words:

Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!

But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!…

And there is still much more to say of his unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in my sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God. So if while we were still enemies, God fully reconciled us to himself through the death of his Son, then something greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion!

And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living in harmony with God—all because of Jesus Christ!  Rom 5:1-4, 9-11 TPT

In Jesus’ name, we are more than conquerors, we are overcomers!  He paid the penalty for our sin and offers LIFE and life abundantly – even in a broken world!  Speak HIS words of life!  If you are living opposite to such truth, remember that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.  Overcome him by declaring the Word over your life!  And draw other Spirit-filled believers alongside of you to come in agreement for His Word and plan for your life!

Ministry of Reconciliation

Almost 9 months ago, I had a conversation with a family member that went south very quickly.  We had begun the conversation with a relationship and in the course of dialogue, a wall was quickly built.  We are just now engaging back in conversation, knowing that we each hold to a very different foundation.  We could each make an argument for judgment and boundaries, but I sense the Lord wanting to “make a way.”  I don’t know what that way is; maybe it is simply an open door or creating a safe space.  What I do know is that we need to find a way to make peace with our differences of opinions.  This is not an argument for “what is truth.”  That is a different conversation all together.

For those who are perishing, we are a stench.  I will not “win” a debate because my words are “right.”  I will “win” when I determine the relationship is more important that my winning an argument.  The win will be in my prayers offered up on behalf of those who do not yet call on Jesus as Lord and Savior.  The win will be in my patient and faithful witness.

God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go. We have become the unmistakable aroma of the victory of the Anointed One to God—a perfume of life to those being saved and the odor of death to those who are perishing. The unbelievers smell a deadly stench that leads to death, but believers smell the life-giving aroma that leads to abundant life. And who of us can rise to this challenge?  For unlike so many, we are not peddlers of God’s Word who water down the message. We are those sent from God with pure motives, who speak in the sight of God from our union with Christ. 2 Cor 2:14-17 TPT

Now, to those who are walking as believers, there is a different response and level of accountability.  And those conversations in particular will need to be done with the Holy Spirit’s leading.  We will need to ask Him to fill our mouths with His words.  Sometimes we will be called to fully call someone out, but more often than not, we will be called to plant seeds of Truth and continue in conversation through the relationship.  [Think of the parable of the seeds.  Pray for good soil and pray that your words would be seasoned with the Holy Spirit that they would break through any rocky ground!]

 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such people are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached everyone; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  Rom 16:17-20

There are many believers who have lost their way, their identity, and their focus during the last year.  Championing the cultural narrative has become the ideal rather than championing the Kingdom narrative and mindset.  And yet, Jesus died for each one of us.

Like wayward sheep, we have all wandered astray. Each of us has turned from God’s paths and chosen our own way;even so, Yahweh laid the guilt of our every sin upon him.  (Is 53:6)

Where will you stand?  We are in a time where we cannot allow our voices to be silent.  Our voices matter!  The Kingdom of God and His principles matter!  We are fighting from the side of TRUTH.

That being said, there is a measure of grace that we also need to operate in.  We are armed with the unshakeable, living Word of God – but it doesn’t mean we need to come out with guns blazing.  We have seen that show from the other side in this season – and quite honestly, we have seen it from our side as well.  May we each be men and women who are constantly coming before the Lord and asking HIM how to proceed with the matter at hand.  Platforms are different than relationships – don’t miss that reality.

I think of the old hymn “Come Thou Fount.” Consider how many believers you know who have walked away; consider the Christian leaders that have fallen; consider your own heart on those seasons you have been in a valley and how much easier it becomes to stay distant as the days carry on.  Do not assume you are invincible.  Consider the company you keep.  Pray daily for intimacy in your relationship with Him – for ears to hear and eyes to see, for hearts that are soft and malleable to Him!

Lord God, we praise You and thank You that You have given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm to live for the praise of Your glory!  Would You fill us with Your Holy Spirit moment my moment, that we would be ambassadors for Your kingdom and that others would encounter the living God as we speak Your words of life!  We pray that our words and our actions would break down walls, throw mountains into the sea, and break every chain that we would become a pleasing aroma EVEN to those that are perishing.  We pray that we would be LIFE GIVERS because we carry within us the presence of Your spirit!  May we be ready in season and out to give reason for the hope that we have!  And may we operate with grace, love and compassion as well as boldness, courage, and authority.  We praise You that You have already overcome the world and may we unashamedly walk forth with that Truth!  We lift high the name of Jesus, name above all other names!  In your holy and precious name we pray, Amen!  

Will you commit to praying for your words and the power they carry – that we would be men and women whose words speak forth life?