WHAT LIES BEYOND TODAY?

The mind of God cannot be known through the understanding of the flesh. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Even His word and His “being” cannot fully be understood by the human intellect. “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is but the Father, and who the Father is but the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him” (Luke 10:22).

Spiritual understanding is given to God’s children through Christ, the living word.  As we partake of the “bread of life,” Jesus Christ, we gain inner spiritual strength, life abundant, and understanding of the things of God. Those walking in the world’s secular system take into their being the godless mind-set and the life-style of the Satan-directed world system! We are connected to Christ and the Father through their indwelling Spirit. God has not changed His plans for us despite the dark hour in which we live. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Though we are connected to God, we will be tried and tested. We are useless to God until Christ teaches us His thoughts and ways.  We learn by living and being taught by God’s Spirit. Through our relationship with Christ, we receive all the favor and blessings of God’s children.  Yes, the future is dark (as God said the last days would be), and we are going to be a tested and Christ-taught people in order to “overcome” the world.  Remember, we are not walking alone, but the one going before us and holding our hand is almighty God.  If we are walking according to God’s purpose and will for us, God is the one who determines everything that befalls us.

God controls the world, space and time, and the elements. Man is charged with the responsibility to choose God’s ways and plans before His own. For that reason, God has given each of us a “choice” to choose God to reign over us or the world system. God can change all things for our benefit. Our promise is: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

All of the beauty and wonderful things the world has to offer are ours. All of the glories of God’s present and future kingdom belong to His children. We receive according to the “will” of God and His omnipotent power, and all things become possible through our faith in Him. Overcoming power, healing, blessings, the favor of God, and all of His gifts are ours. We are under divine protection, and Satan must have God’s permission to test us. In utter darkness, Christ will give us light! The future is bright though darkness, corruption, and evil surround us.  With our eyes fixed on God, no one can pluck us out of His hand. “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).

The Spirit teaches us all things that we need to know, and through the Spirit we become complete. Staying full of the Holy Spirit is up to us. As we walk with Him, we must continuously acknowledge God in all of our ways. To have an ever-increasing knowledge of God, we must study His word. Praying and worshipping God keeps us filled with His Spirit.  We are leaky vessels and we must stay prayed up if we want to grow in the Lord.  The only safe place is to be “connected to God” and to stay “disconnected” from the world’s system. “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

God also gifts His children with “wisdom, understanding, knowledge, discernment,” and other gifts for His service. The more we “ask, seek, and knock” in the name of Christ, the more we receive spiritual gifts from the Father above. Nothing God chooses to give us can be withheld from us! He is a loving God, and He is no respecter of persons.  He loves us all with a love that cannot be broken. God is love!!

God planned our future when He first knew us. If we are obedient and faithful we will receive all He has ordained for us.  We will do things that we could never do on our own.  We will be taught spiritual things that are impossible for the natural man to know. God gives us choices because He wants us to love and choose to serve Him. “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 1:6).

Christ brings abundant life now and throughout eternity. Satan’s only purpose is to lead us to destruction now and into eternal hell forever. We must read the signs of coming judgment all around us and not procrastinate with our life choice. There is safety in Christ alone! Judgment is in the future of all mankind. It will either be the mercy of the judgment seat of Christ (God’s children) or the great white throne of judgment (for those who have rejected Christ.) “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame —  who set their mind on earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19).

We each determine our destiny and what lies beyond today! The choices we make today will determine what will happen tomorrow. The law of God says, “We reap what we sow.” If we sow “good” we will receive “good”, but if we sow evil, we will reap evil. We all are going to have tribulation, but the children of God will have the blessings and promises of God to sustain and protect them. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

MY PRAYER:  Dear Lord, I see the darkness so take my hand and lead me in Your light! I see the storms and floods gathering, but my faith and trust are in You.  I will not be moved!  You will calm the storms around me and work everything together for my good. You know where I am weak. Give me Your strength and “overcoming” power. Through You I will be victorious over my enemies. Increase my faith and trust in You.  Make me spiritually strong!  May I glorify You with my life! I need wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to teach me Your will and Your ways. Convict me when I am wrong and sinning against You. Show me my besetting sins. Make me a blessing and a light for others in this hour.  I will walk in Your footsteps and be guided by Your spirit.   Deal with my weaknesses and give me a testimony that will glorify You.  Call me higher and prepare me to do Your work.  I give myself totally to You. Fill me to overflowing with Your spirit. May I bear the image of Christ in all things.  I will love You forever!  Thank You for Your blessings and mercy unto me. Send me forth to destroy the works of Satan.  I desire above all to win lives and hearts for You!  Amen.

ANITA