November 28, 2016
What wonderful and joyful benefits become ours as we yield to God’s guidance. Through Him, our life becomes transformed (see Jeramiah 29:11)!
He is preparing us to become overcomers – confident, bold, brave and mature children of God who fully manifest His love and will upon the earth.
It is sad to say, but far too many Believers are not experiencing this overcoming, abundant life, but instead are deeply wearied and discouraged. However, your actions can change your attitude and quickly change the atmosphere you’re in (see Philippians 4:6-8).
I’ve got great news! There is a way up and out of the deep pit of despair. You can and should soar above the chaos of these days abiding in the peace and presence of Christ the King (see Isaiah 40:28-31).
Here are three simple steps to lead us up and out of the dark pit of despair. These steps will aid us to advance toward the victorious life of an overcomer.
First: Seek - Ask - Knock
First, we must fully believe and act on the promise of James 1:5 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition): If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
Asking is the key, we "have not" because we "ask not" (see James 4:2). If you feel weary and discouraged, in need of wisdom and direction, simply ask for God's grace and guidance. Sincerely seek His will above your own will; sincerely seek to walk in His light, not the light of your carnal mind or past experiences (see 1 John 1:5). By doing so, you will discover the outstanding promise of God’s divine light upon your life (see Psalms 27:1-14).
Beloved, we must ask for and seek God's guidance and divine light – for if we ask, we shall receive!
As we seek, we shall surely find, as surely as the sun rises in the morning (see Psalms 36:9). In a powerful prophetic encounter, I was told; “seekers will be finders and finders will be sought!”
When we display the wisdom of God, people will come to us for good advice (see Isaiah 50:4).
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. —Jeremiah 29:12-13
The Lord said to me “when it comes to seeking ME, I detest multitasking!” He said “half-hearted obedience is nothing but cloaked rebellion!”
God is faithful to His Word and generous beyond what anyone can imagine!
Second: Seek Refreshment in His Word
Many Believers find themselves thirsty and desperate for a closer more intimate walk with Jesus. The cry of their parched souls echoes Psalm 63:1-2:
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
It is beyond words how God's Word refreshes and revives the faintest heart! If we are thirsty, scorched by the heat of trials and difficulties, then we must seek the Living Water. We must let our thirsty souls drink deeply from the Word of God!
Consider these powerful prophetic promises revealed in Psalm 18:28-36 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition):
For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; the Lord my God illumines my darkness.
For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.
As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.
For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God,
The God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect?
He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places.
He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand has held me up; Your gentleness and condescension have made me great.
You have given plenty of room for my steps under me, that my feet would not slip.
Meditate deeply on the last phrase of Psalm 18:36: “You have given plenty of room for my steps under me, that my feet would not slip.” Again, another translation states: "You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip." This promise is for those who are walking in God's light, those who are covered by God's powerful shield of protection (see Psalm 119:105).
As we meditate on His Word, treasure His promises in our heart and delight in His faithfulness to make good on those promises, we will be renewed and transformed into the very likeness of Christ Himself.
Third: Build on His Wisdom
God promises to be for us our firm foundation in shaky times. He Himself is our Rock (see Psalm 92:15), our foundation stone and sure foundation (see Isaiah 28:16) upon Whom we can stand strong and steady, no matter what transpires in our own lives or in our families, neighborhoods or nation.
God also promises to make our feet like those of a mountain deer, able to stand strong not only on this firm foundation, but also to scale the highest heights of the Spirit, climbing far above the chaos of this world (see 2 Samuel 22:34, Psalm 18:33, Habakkuk 3:19).
Conversely, Christ warns us that if we build our lives on shifting sands – the sands of our carnal emotions, minds and will, the way of the world, the flesh and the devil – instead of on the solid Rock of Christ the Living Word, we can expect devastation (see Matthew 7:24-29).
But here is the Good News: the Spirit of God has set before us guidelines that we may follow to receive divine wisdom, holy wisdom from God to help us navigate safely during these dark days. But we must follow God's guidelines!
Christ is Wisdom
What does God require of us to obtain this wisdom? The pathway to true wisdom is not a process, pattern or method – wisdom is a Person, Christ Jesus (see John 8:12).
The light and wisdom we seek from above are not to be found in human programs of education and psychology, or even in our common sense and good intentions, but only, exclusively, in the Person of Christ Jesus. He "has been "made unto us wisdom" (see 1 Corinthians 1:30).
Indeed, "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Consider Psalm 36:9: "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light."
Our generous, loving, and kindhearted Father longs to release superb wisdom to each of His children in the Person of His Son. None of us is the exception!
If we ask, seek and knock, we will find Him!
If we drink deeply of His Word, we will find Him!
If we ask for wisdom, we will find Him!
Indeed, the steps of the overcomer ultimately lead to this magnificent truth: "in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28)!
Everything we need – guidance, refreshing, wisdom and strength – are all found in our Beloved Jesus Christ.
All we need and all we could ever desire are only found in the King of kings!
All we need to do is ask.
Amen!
Bobby Conner
Eagles View Ministries