I took this beautiful picture a year ago from our RV site located on a stretch of highway along the Pacific Ocean. For many years we have enjoyed this county camping spot, as we experienced the joy of living next to the roaring ocean with all its majesty and also peaceful tranquility. What you don't see in this picture is the other side of the RV which can sometimes be busy with traffic. And then there's the railroad track that joins the other side of the highway. Mighty ocean waves make the daytime train commutes unnoticeable, but the occasional freight train at 3:00 AM sounds like it can come barreling right through the center of the RV with great speed and fervor…the ugly.
Over the fence in my backyard, I used to view a large orange tree, which, prior to producing delicious oranges, blessed my yard with the strong scent of orange blossoms. Ah, heavenly! As the years passed, the tree began producing less fruit and eventually had to be removed. Now when I sit on my patio and enjoy my yard and the bird life, instead of seeing the orange tree, part of my view is a portion of my neighbor’s 40 year-old unused clothes line…the ugly.
Our lives are full of blessings. We also deal with the everyday “uglies” of life. Some things we are to overcome are far more serious than the two examples above. Nevertheless, we are never alone for the power of Heaven is resident within each of us.
Every morning is full of the mercies of God that will take us through those things that oppose and contradict God’s goodness, order and love. God knows about all that is right and all that is wrong. He knows we live in families and communities that disagree with everything we believe and stand for…the ugly.
The Glorious Church—Salt and Light
But we are right where God wants us to be! Our job is to be continually led by His Holy Spirit to intercede and stretch out an embrace of love to those walking in the blindness of disobedience.
And we also have a responsibility to Jesus and His sacrifice to press on through the uglies and attain the experience of the higher life promised to His church in the scriptures.
NOT…pie in the sky, beloved, but blood-bought blessings that overcome the uglies!
Choices
Every morning we begin a new day of making decisions. Putting God’s Word first place in your life has never been more important. Neither has resisting the devil.
Jesus has given us the Keys of His Kingdom. Remember previous teachings on your responsibility to loose and your authority to lock up? See lessons February through June.
Jesus said, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:10
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14
Overcoming the Uglies
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Romans 8:1-6
Reaching for the Upward Call of God in Christ Jesus.
The ways of the Spirit are the ways of the Kingdom:
Pressing through to walk by faith so that the precious blood-bought promises can be fulfilled in our personal lives is more than just a nice little suggestion written on the pages of a book.
Don’t play pat-a-cake with the Book.
The scriptures are your inheritance.
You do know you’re an heir of God don’t you? Romans 8:17
Legal rights to that inheritance first come through God’s word. That Word must be planted in your re-born heart to produce substance which already has a directive in the seed to produce what is written. Praise God!
Growing Up
There will come a day, Beloved, when each of us will stand before King Jesus and give an account of what we did with His flesh, The glorious Word of God. John 1:14 and 6:63
Not one excuse, not one circumstance will be pardoned for laziness and irresponsibility to God’s Word. To whom much is given much is required. When future assignments of ruling and reigning with King Jesus are handed out, what we overcame, what we brought forth from His Word and our obedience to the Holy Spirit will be recognized and will surely be rewarded.
Jesus said, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”
Read the Parable of The Talents—Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus said, “But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations; He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels; as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 2:25-29
Planet Earth 2013—The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
You and I are meant to be living here on earth during these unusual times prior to the removal of The Glorious Church before the great and terrible tribulation. We are unusual people, a royal priesthood born of a superior Kingdom, citizens of Heaven who have been delivered out of the power of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of love. We have been given every spiritual blessing.
Read: 1 Peter 2:9—Philippians 3:20—Colossians 1:13—Ephesians 1:3.
Dual Occupancy—Dual Citizenship
It has never been more important that you know who you are in Christ, what you have been given, and to be an active doer of God’s Word every day. Separation from corruption is required. You are not of this world just as Jesus is not of this world. John 17:16
Live in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.
What you decide to do this day, and each day until the return of Jesus, will play a significant role in your eternal commission with Jesus. Be wise, Saints!
To God be the Glory!
PRAYER FOR YOUR STATE IS NEEDED:
The Glorious Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders