ESTHER’S WARRIORS MINISTRY
How well do you know Jesus? Is your knowledge of Him simply that… knowledge…intellectual awareness of Who He is historically and according to church doctrine? Take some time to ponder this one. Sometimes when we have been taught something or have grown up with something we do not question that information. We take it in and let it stay just where it is. We do not go deeper with it. The information is just that…no more…no less.
Is your awareness of Jesus simply a familiarity with all you have been told or read about Him? Or, do you know that you know that you know Who He is and how He manifests in your life moment to moment? Herein lies the difference between knowing Who He is versus having a real relationship with Him. Although the difference is huge in how you live your life that same difference is subtle if not detected.
It is quite possible to go to church every Sunday, call oneself a Christian, profess verbally to have Jesus Christ as the Lord of one’s life but never really allow Him to take over and change your heart (it is always a heart issue). Without the heart change there is no change or renewing of the mind and life goes on as before the verbal declaration of, “Jesus is Lord of my life!”
Jesus clearly tells us, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) When I first read this Scripture I was somewhat baffled as it seemed to me that if one went to church, did church works, and called Jesus ‘Lord’ all was right on track for a heavenly destination. Culturally, this is what we learn and promote as necessary to be true followers. Nothing could be further from the truth.
He is The Truth, The Way and The Light. Jesus is the only way to the Father. If we truly make Him the Lord of our life then we will be transformed daily to be more like Him to bring more people to Him and to establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven! Is there something you need to let go of, something you need to allow Him to take control of today? If you hold back anything you hold back everything. How can He really be Lord of your life if you continue to maintain a tight grip on something He would have long ago had you release?
Giving up lordship of our life is not easy especially in our independent society but it is absolutely necessary to walk in Kingdom authority. As with so many things involving our spiritual walk, it is a choice. If we truly believe in Him we will give Him Lordship and gladly walk out our destiny with Him. It is easy to believe ‘in’ Him but do you believe Him? To believe Him is to step out onto the narrow path to serve and follow Him. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My father will honor.” (John 12:26)
To believe Him is to know that His promises are ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ [yes, indeed!]. To believe Him is to stand on His promises that no weapon, not one, formed against you shall prosper! To believe Him is to know that whatever may appear to be negative in your life He will turn around in the end for good for His glory. Now ask yourself, do you believe in Him or do you believe Him?!
Join us this week as we ‘pray the states’ toward the 2012 Presidential election. We are praying for each state in the order of admission to the Union. Please cover Ohio admitted to the Union March 1, 1803, in prayer.
The state motto for Ohio is ‘With God All Things Are Possible.’ Pray for wisdom and discernment for the political leaders, pastors and church leaders, the people residing in Ohio and for all in our Nation. Each state is
important in forming our United States of America. We commit to pray for a different state each week so we not only provide prayer cover but also to make us aware that our country is bigger than the space we personally occupy in it. These are our United States. Let us pray that we will arise united ‘for such a time as this!’ Please repost and share.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Keep our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our frontline on the battlefield, let us be their frontline in the spirit. May God richly bless you this week and bring you from a place of believing in Him to the anointed place of believing Him in Jesus’ name. Amen and amen!