“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV
GOD IS MOVING! This week, we are talking about this move of God. We can help God move if we are awake to see what is happening around us and obedient to Him.
Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for guiding me and giving me these messages this week. Please open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what you are saying to each of us – you have something for each person reading. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us, within us, and show it through us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen
God is moving. Now is the time. He is doing a new thing! And I hope you are just as excited as I am.
We, the people of this world, long to see a powerful and mighty God move! And as we reminded ourselves yesterday, all this power and might will come through mercy, love and grace. Jesus did not arrive as a warrior, but He still moved in power and might – This move of God shall transform the world by transforming the hearts of men, gently, lovingly and tenderly.
Today, in the United States of America, it is Election Day. This shall post before the polls open. Most of you are from other countries and I am not sure if you are paying attention to this election. It is unlike any before and appears to be a poor taste joke. Sadly this is my reality and I have prayed long and hard about who to vote for and I have prayed against cheating, ballot harvesting, and all the other ways to rig an election here in the states. How does this train wreck of a dog and pony show apply to this week’s theme?
Last week I shared the passage in Daniel that show’s that God rises up kings or takes them down. Let me reiterate with supporting scripture.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1 ESV
God is alive and moving. Oh yes, He is a God of judgment, however He is also a God of longsuffering and mercy.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 ESV
And in His infinite wisdom – He will give authority to the person who He wants in charge.
“2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.“ Romans 13:2-5 ESV
And we see here that how that ruler treats people is entirety up to us.
But I do know some good Christian have been martyred in parts of this world even as they obeyed these verses and some say therefore that these verses are wrong. As much as it does not seem comforting on the surface – the truth is that God permitted it for a greater good and His child who was martyred had completed His tasks and works here on earth. There is always a way of escape – I suppose sometimes it is straight into the arms of our loving Father.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 ESV
We, humans, usually tend to think God is in control of life – therefore He is also in control of death. Although death has dominion over the world right now and God did not create this mess, He has allowed the consequences of the evil choices in the world – He honors our free will.
In other words – He can permit the man He can use to bless America win and He can permit the man that will bring down the hardships of the consequences of our evil ways. It is by His permission and He is still in control. God is still moving and working.
And yes, he knows which we will choose and He know all that will happen but it has not yet happened and we still have to make the choice. Predestined is not complacent and passive – No! We will find ourselves passed over or as it says in Revelations 3:16, He will spit out lukewarm, casual, inactive “Christians”. We do not sit idly by waiting for things to happen to us.
“Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”
And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”
Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.”
He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.”
Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.”
He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.”
He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.”
He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.”
Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.”
He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.” Genesis 18:27-33 ESV
This is a beautiful example of the grace of God and the intercessor’s prayer. Abraham interceded for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah – almost negotiating for their salvation. Our merciful God is always willing to defer judgment. God wants us to take an active role in His plan (which is always to save people). He wants us to intercede in prayer. He wants us to try to effect change. You do see – when God moves – it is usually through men and women who have submitted to His will and obey what He says.
You may live in the States and may have already voted by the time you read this. If you did not submit that vote to the will of God in prayer and obedience and if you are not interceding for salvation, life and love for your nation – then YOU are what is standing in the way of the very move of God you long to see.
And if you did submit your vote to prayer and obedience – you have expedited the work of the Lord.
One last note about this passage in Genesis – See how God speaks to Abraham? That is not just an Old Testament thing. Let me encourage you to continue to seek Him – He is pouring out His spirit and He is speaking to those He has a close relationship with. Spend some time with God – He wants to be closer to you. And He wants to direct your paths.
“in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6 NIV
If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**
Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ I love you and love one another
Watch and Pray ~ Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!
Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!
If Not For Grace 