He Sees the End from the Beginning and He Will Make a Way

Francis Frangipane:
He Sees the End from the Beginning and He Will Make a Way

Taxes, threat of terror attacks, illness and aging, finances, political conflicts, family relationships, church struggles, fears, insurance issues, air travel impositions, job loss, gasoline prices, war, injustice, death – these are just a few of the enemies most of us face daily. Yet, let me also tell you what the Lord has spoken to my soul:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The Lord doesn’t want us to simply possess a generalized peace, based on having no particular problems; nor does He plan to give us a slightly spiritual, yet human-sized kind of peace. If we follow the sequence of obedience He presents, His intention is to shelter us in His very own peace: the imperturbable peace of God.

The peace of God is the deep calm that envelops the thought processes of the Almighty. He is never anxious, always in command, never without a remedy. He sees the end from the beginning and views the needs of man from the position of unlimited resources and capabilities. He perceives the needs of His children with both compassion and confidence, for all things are possible for Him.

The peace He gives is not only from Him, it is an extension of Him – it is the very substance of His peace. It is God-sized peace. It is this divine fabric that He says will “guard [our] hearts and…minds in Christ Jesus.”

Amazing.

Many Verses Same Promise

Some may challenge my interpretation, but remember the Savior’s promise:

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).

Again, Paul says,

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

These Scriptures and others reveal that there exists a place of refuge for us, a dimension guarded by God’s very peace, where we can abide. As we enter this realm of trust, the God of peace promises to actually crush satan beneath our feet (Romans 16:20).

Give Peace A Chance

Of course, we must decide what realm shall preside over us. Thus, the Scripture says, “Let the peace of Christ rule,” and “Do not let your heart be troubled,” and “Let your requests be made known to God.” The word let speaks of choices we can make with realities that are at hand. Remember, even as circumstances begin to trouble your heart, you can retreat from fear. For the peace of God is also accessible. Take authority over your fretting, worrying attitude, for “it leads only to evildoing” (Psalm 37:8). Stand, instead, in faith upon the promises of God.

Peace is our shield and the Word of God our weapon. Therefore, capture negative, unbelieving thoughts that would magnify problems rather than magnify the Lord. Our Father knows what we have need of before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8).

Cease striving and know that He is God! If you are weary, come to Him and take His yoke upon you. You will find rest for your soul. Finally, recall Paul’s words to make our requests “with thanksgiving.” Many have been thinking too much and thanking too little. Therefore, let us cast our burdens upon the Lord, for He indeed cares for us. He will make a way.

Francis Frangipane
Ministries of Francis Frangipane
Email: francis1@frangipane.org

Source:  http://elijahlist.com

The Real Santa Claus

 

Article by Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher

Christians continue to debate whether to teach their children about Santa Claus. But the story behind the real Santa Claus should leave no doubt as to the wisdom of teaching our children about him. It’s a revealing story that I believe should be shared. |

The roots of “Santa Claus” are found in the Middle East – in Turkey.  Ancient Christian writings indicate that Nicholas of Myra, the person we know as Santa, actually was a man of short stature, about 5 feet tall and slight – no “bowl full of jelly” for his belly.

He was a cardinal in the early Church, and although he was not rotund like “our” Santa Claus, he did wear flowing red robes and sport a full, white beard.  But what made Nicholas a model for the Christmas icon of goodwill and cheer was not his appearance.  It was his compassion and seemingly limitless generosity that inspired a legend known around the world.

Nicholas’ parents were committed to their faith – in deeds, not just words.   They gave to missionary work and helped feed the poor.  They took Nicholas to church and enrolled him in theology and history classes where he learned to fully embrace the two greatest commandments in the Bible:  to love God with all your heart (Matt. 22:37) and to love your neighbor as yourself (verse 39).  These verses had a profound impact on Nicholas.  But the act that truly distinguished him began with the failure of a family friend’s business.  The man and his three daughters had lost everything.  In desperation, the man negotiated with local brothel owners to sell his oldest daughter into slavery to provide for the younger two.

When Nicholas learned of this, he sprang into action.  The night before the girl was to be sold, Nicholas went to their home, waited for the lights to go out and tossed a bag of gold through an open window, vanishing before he could be seen.   This random act of kindness was not to be a one-time act of charity.

The money lasted the family a year.  When it ran out Nicholas returned with another bag of gold, but this time the father caught him.  Wiping away tears the man asked Nicholas, “Why did you give us these gifts?”

“Because you needed them.”

“But why didn’t you let us know who you were?”

“Because it’s good to give when only God knows about it.”

That answer would become the foundation for the legend still celebrated today.

In his mid teens, Nicholas faced tragedy when both his parents died, probably from the plague.  The uncle he had been named after was a priest and took charge of caring for him.  As the two prayed for understanding.  Nicholas sensed an urgency to live out the lessons his parents had taught him. He felt the best way to honor them was to take his inheritance, cash it into gold coins and give it to the poorest families in the region.  Satisfied that his act paid tribute to his parents, as well as his Lord Jesus, he then committed himself to study.  Nicholas entered the priesthood before he was 20.  The once wealthy young man now endured the trials of a young priest in a culture of corruption.

Under emperors Diocletian and Maximian, Christians were hunted and persecuted for 10 long years.  Those who would not abandon their faith were often tortured or executed. As a church leader, Nicholas was jailed often.  During those times, he would share the gospel with fellow prisoners and even prison guards.

Taking inspiration from the letters of the Apostle Paul, Nicholas encouraged those outside the walls to pray, support the work of faith and look to the Lord for strength.  Soon after his release from prison, he was elected Bishop of Myra.  He oversaw a period of rebuilding:  feeding the poor, locating shelters for the homeless and finding families for those orphaned during the persecution.

Because of his gentleness, compassion and love, and the fact that he always carried a bag filled with candy and gifts whenever he ventured out in public, scores of children followed him around.  Due to Nicholas’ status with local citizens, Roman officials often sought his advice in matters of state.  The influence he gained allowed him to work for the underprivileged and powerless, and in so doing he rose to the position of cardinal.

Yet what ultimately made him a legend was his love of children.  As he grew older, he used more ahnd more of his funds to purchase gifts for children.  Giving toys or candy to little ones, Nicholas told stories of Jesus and the gift He had given through His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection.  Then Nicholas would add, “Jesus loves little children, and He loves you.”  Through these gifts, many began to understand the full measure of their salvation.  Nicholas’ acts of service were so great that when he did, others picked up where he left off.  Over time, the legend of Nicholas of Myra grew, and hundreds of churches were named after him.

St. Nicholas inspired the tradition of Santa Claus by his commitment to help others and leave the world a better place than he found it.  He would be pleased to see the joy on the faces of children all around the globe at Christmastime, that his lessons of giving are still being taught and that children are made to feel especially loved on the day celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Let’s tell his story and make it our own, so the true meaning of Christmas – love, peace, faith, joy, giving – is expressed as we honor the Prince of all of those things – the Lord Jesus Christ.

This article was taken from the December 2010 issue of Believer’s Voice of Victory.

The Unreasonableness of Faith

David Wilkerson Today

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

THE UNREASONABLENESS OF FAITH

When God says to humankind, “Believe,” he demands something that’s wholly beyond reason. Faith is totally illogical. Its very definition has to do with something unreasonable. Think about it: Hebrews says faith is the substance of something hoped for, evidence that’s unseen. We’re being told, in short, “There is no tangible substance, no visible evidence.” Yet, we’re asked to believe.

I’m addressing this subject for an important reason. Right now, all over the world, multitudes of believers are bowed low in discouragement. The fact is, we’re all going to continue facing discouragement in this life. Yet I believe if we understand the nature of faith—its illogical, unreasonable nature—we’ll find the help we need to get through.

Consider the faith that was demanded of Noah. He lived in a generation that had spun out of control. The condition of humans had grown so awful, God couldn’t take any more. Finally, He said, “Enough! Man is set on destroying himself—it must end” (see Genesis 6).

Imagine Noah’s bafflement as he tried to grasp this. God was going to send a cataclysmic event, one that would destroy the entire earth. Yet all that Noah was told about the matter were these brief words from heaven. He was simply to accept it by faith, without receiving any more direction for 120 years.

Think about what faith was demanding of Noah. He was given a mammoth task to build a huge ark, and meanwhile he had to live in a dangerous world. He had to keep believing while the whole world around him danced, partied and wallowed in sensuality. But Noah did as God said. He kept trusting the word he’d been given, for more than a century. And for his obedience, Scripture says, Noah “became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

In Genesis 12:1–4, God told Abraham, “Get up, go out, and leave your country.” Surely Abraham wondered, “But where, Lord?” God would have answered simply, “I’m not telling you. Just go.”

This wasn’t logical. It was a totally unreasonable demand to any thinking person. I’ll illustrate by asking every Christian wife: Imagine that your husband came home one day and said, “Pack up, honey, we’re moving.” Of course, you’d want to know why, or where, or how. But the only answer he gives you is, “I don’t know. I just know God said go.” There’s no rhyme or reason to this kind of demand. It simply isn’t logical.

Yet this is precisely the illogical direction that Abraham followed. “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8). All he knew was the brief word God had given him: “Go, Abraham, and I’ll be with you. No harm will come to you.” Faith demanded that Abraham act on nothing more than this promise.

One starry night, God told Abraham, “Look up into the sky. See the innumerable stars? Count them if you can. That’s how many descendants you’re going to have” (see Genesis 15:5). Abraham must have shaken his head at this. By now he was old, as was his wife, Sarah. They were long past the time of ever possibly having a child. Yet here he’s given a promise that he would become a father of many nations. And all the evidence he had to go on was a word from heaven: “I am the Lord” (Genesis 15:7).

But Abraham obeyed. And the Bible says the same thing of him that it says of Noah: “He believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Once again, we see an illogical scene. Yet one man’s faith is translated into righteousness.

What God asks of you may sound unreasonable. He asks that we trust him when he gives no evidence of answering our prayer, when the situation seems hopeless and we are sure it is all over. “Trust me”—the Lord says. Illogical? Yes. But for centuries the Lord has proven he is always on time and he never allows Satan to have the last word. God always comes through—in perfect Holy Ghost timing.
 

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/10910

1 Corinthians 1:25, 27 (New International Version, ©2010)

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Standing on Some Promises

He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.

Ps. 18:19

He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places.

Ps. 18:33

You enlarged my path under me so my feet did not slip.

Ps. 18:36

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: The Lord will give grace and glory: No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Ps. 84:11

Have I ever mentioned that I love Psalms?!!!

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch out, build on, spare not…

Isa. 54:2

The righteous shall inherit the land.

Ps. 37:29

Such as be blessed of Him inherit the earth.

Ps. 37:22

Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Ps. 37:34

For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword. Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your contenance, Because You favored them.

Ps. 44:3

We are trusting the Lord to give us the land and home that we have sowed for and believed for.

The Lord has given me this passage over and over again during the Journey of Fire.  He is highlighting it to me again.

Isa. 54:11-14

O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

12  And I will make thy windows of rubies, and thy gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.

13  And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

14  In righteousness shalt thou be established:  Thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near you.

Eating Out

We don’t eat out much – usually. But lately we haven’t had much choice. One night we went to Arby’s. They seemed to have designed their dining room with us in mind! We all got to eat together in a section that had four tables enclosed in a square. It was easy to keep the little ones contained in our nook, and we were all close to each other. It was perfect!

The Douglas nook at Arby’s
Brother Buddies
The Big Man and the Little Man
Eating Incognito
Little girls who are discovering new buddies in each other

In case you’re wondering, it costs at least $40 to eat out, anywhere we go. We share drinks and fries as much as possible, but we still can’t get enough food for everybody for under that amount.

Mom gave us an early Christmas present of gift cards for McDonalds for each of us which we have made good use of already. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

We ate at CiCi’s twice. They were very good to us. The boys loved the Big Mac pizza! I ate plenty of the normal pizza. We all definitely got our fill there.

We have also eaten at Wendy’s and Long John Silver’s. As wonderful as it is to not have to cook, I’m looking forward to having my own kitchen to bake cookies and make some of our favorite meals again.

Abby loves to put hats on her head, except when she goes outside.

Back at the hotel – time for Monopoly – Good Math practice!!!
Time for Emma to have a fit

We’re sensing some movement in the housing situation. We might live further from Gary’s work than we had originally anticipated, but he’s willing if it means the kids have some land to move around on. We’re going to look at another house or two in the country before we settle for a house in a subdivision.