Stay Tethered To The Lord
And The Climb Is Assured
I recently had a tree removed from my property and as I watched the young man scale the height of the tree I could not help but think of being out on a limb. Have you ever felt as if you were out on a limb, balancing life ever so carefully lest you fall?
Stay Connected!
In the case of the tree professional, he tethered himself at each level of ascent as he balanced precariously on a limb or what was left of a limb. There are times in life that a situation around you can seem so perilous with absolutely no sense of security or safety. All you know to be real is pulled out from under you as limbs cut off a tree. Have you ever experienced such a season?
The key during such times is to remain tethered to the Lord. The tree in the picture had dead branches removed from the bottom up. At times as you grow God will remove those dead things that no longer serve as His best for you. During these times you have the choice to keep looking up to Him and to stay closely connected with Him. He will bring you through.
As shifts take place in your life choose to go higher with Him. Rather than looking back at the people, places, attitudes and things He has pruned from your life, keep looking up. Keep your focus on Him. To walk Kingdom is to consistently take your eyes off the pile of dead things and look forward. Do not get hung up on the debris. Rather, allow Him to advance you in His perfect plan for your life as it unfolds in His perfect timing.
A New Life Awaits
You may be asking yourself how the ultimate demise of the tree in the picture has any correlation to your life in the Lord. No doubt the tree dies. The good news is if you choose to accept the Lord into your life your old patterns will die as you are reborn in Him to a new life. You will lose your old way of life and find your new life in Him. Your mind will be transformed to Kingdom thinking, your heart will be changed from stone to flesh and you will have peace despite circumstances. You will be radically changed day by day to be a reflection of His love and compassion toward others to bring His Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven.
I speak with many who are afraid to fully commit because they think that they will miss out on the fun in life or simply out of fear or because they feel they have done too much wrong. Having been on both sides of this argument, I can assure you that missing out of an eternity with God that can begin today is by far the worst fate. I can promise you without a doubt that committing your life to the Lord will be the best decision you could ever make. God loves you and if you come to Him repentant He forgives every sin and offers you a new start.
The Choice is Yours
Think of the tree again. How safe do you think the tree man would be without the tether? How far do you think he could go up the tree to reach the top without a safety harness? Surely there are some who scale heights without safety gear. It can be done but the risks of severe injury or even death are great. Do not risk your life without the safety of the Lord bringing you through every circumstance. If you have not accepted the Lord into your life, do so today. If you have but you have grown lukewarm or have gotten off track, recommit today. Let Him be the safety harness in your life.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“…he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Jesus, Matthew 10:39b
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Jesus, John 15:5
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives.
God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. May the Lord keep them safe. Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history.
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi and for safety in Israel. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we may arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history.
We continue to pray for truth to prevail as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour.
Please Join Me In Prayer
Father we thank You that when we choose to accept You into our lives we are forever tethered to You. Thank You for Your unfailing love and faithfulness to keep us ever safe under the shadow of Your wings. We thank You for Your grace in times of difficulty that we may know with certainty that You are with us guiding us through to the other side. Thank You that as we climb the tree of life we are secure in You and Your unending mercy. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and amen.