The Great Shepherd and Graduation – Rick Bagwell


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THE LIFE GIVER

 Nowhere in the Bible do we find where Jesus came to bring death. Everywhere He went, He brought life. He is the access to the Father, the only access. He raised the dead.  He gave eternal life through His death. 

In John 10:9-11 Jesus said,  –

      I am the door; (or I am the access to the Father) by Me if any man enter in, He shall be saved and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  

      The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

      I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

Jesus is the door to the sheepfold.

He is the way of life. 

Who would shut-up the way of life, to live the way of the world?

We are in this world, but not of this world.

By Him, we have eternal life, but we can also move about on this earth, living in two worlds (heaven and earth), freely, with His guidance, without fear of the enemy.

Why?  Because He watches over us.

He is our Shepherd; the Good Shepherd.  He watches  over us individually, with tender care, and self sacrificing love.

The Shepherd died, that we might live.

 

 Also, our Shepherd knows when it is time for us to go home to heaven.

At that time, He will call us.  But before that, He will prepare us for our journey.

Many are afraid of death.  They walk around in fear of the unknown.

We, as children of God, are to have life each day and not dread and fear of death.

For, Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly:  More than we can possibly use.  Abundant supply.

Those who receive life from Him, have within them, continual sources of life for others.

We witness: they get saved: they witness: others get saved; and it goes on…

Those in their graves, who are dead in Christ, will know life again. This is our Blessed Hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:14, 16-18 —-For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (or die) in Jesus will God bring with Him.   

       For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

      Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

      Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 Part of our abundant life in Him, is to know these things, this great promise of being able to be with our loved ones, when the end of this age comes, who died in-Christ.

Every day, I go to Greenville from my house, I have to pass by my Daddy’s grave.  I have the peace of knowing his soul and spirit are not in that grave, but are with Jesus.  Only his body is left there, but it will be resurrected on that day of the Rapture, and if I am passing by that way  at the time his body leaves that grave, I can watch it come up and meet the Lord in the air with My Daddy.

To me, it’s as though he is on a trip and will soon return to me.

Woman of God, it is an abundant life when we know that we know we are ready to meet the Lord, should He come today.

Sinner, don’t be left behind. Trust Him today to care for you as your good shepherd.

Jesus loves you; He gave His life for you.  You are not really living until you put your life in His hands.  I’ve heard people say, “I’m not ready, I am still young.  I want to live my life they way I choose.”

What are you giving up to invite Him into you life?  I’ll tell you.  You are giving up eternal torment and destruction for eternal life;  You are giving up hell for heaven; you are giving up the lordship of Satan, for the Lordship of Jesus Christ;  you are giving up no peace for the “Prince of Peace.

Some women tell me they are afraid their boyfriend or husband will get mad or even leave them if they ask Jesus into  their lives.  Would you sell your soul to the devil for someone who wants you to go to hell, and to be eternally separated from God?  He doesn’t love you, he loves himself, he loves the sin you share with him.  He is just like the devil, when he gets through with you, he will laugh at you.   This might seem harsh , but believe me, I have seen too much of it.

We can decide to serve God and live according to His standards, or we can set our own standards and live outside His blessings.

The choice is ours.

Proverbs 8:36 —But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all that hate Me love death.

Romans 6:23 —For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is coming a time when all this will be played back in your mind computer.  You will remember when you were witnessed to about your soul’s destination.  Their is only one way you can be born again, saved from destruction:

For you who did not pray that prayer with me,

Invite Jesus into your heart now,  don’t live another day without Him, there is no promise of another chance.

God is righteous and demands full obedience from His creation.  He will not tolerate unrighteousness, and designed hell to eternally house those who are not willing to submit their lives to Him.

There is no other way to the Father but through Jesus.

Jesus said in John 14:6 … I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father, but by Me.

Jesus is Life.  He is still giving life.

      John 3:16 — For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Think about it.  Everlasting life.

Look at verse 17,18 —-For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

      He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God

Pray this prayer with me, and receive Jesus, by faith, as your Lord and savior:

Jesus, come into my life, and save me.  I am sorry for my sin, I repent of my sin. I am tired of trying to live my life, my way. I give my life to You.

Deliver me from every stronghold of bondage. In Jesus name I pray.

Thank You for saving me.

bondage, 

We have already seen where Jesus Christ is life, conqueror over death, and the only way to the Father.

There are also special promises from God for those who serve Him:

      Eternal life

      Peace

      Joy

      Abundant life

      Heaven

      Escape from hell

There is a great contrast between heaven and hell, and both are real places: one to joy and one to darkness with no hope.

Choose the life giver.

 

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HOW THE DEVIL CAN WORK FOR YOU -PART II

JOD 12:6 – THE TABERNACLES (OR TENTS) OF ROBBERS PROSPER, AND THEY THAT PROVOKE GOD ARE SECURE; INTO WHOSE HAND GOD BRINGETH ABUNDANTLY. 

HERE, JOB GOES BACK TO HIS MAIN ARGUMENT, AND MAINTAINS THAT, THE WHOLE COURSE OF EARTHLY EVENTS BEING UNDER GOD’S DIRECTIONS, ALL THE RESULTS ARE TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO HIM, AND AMONG THEM BOTH THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED, AND, BY PART OF REASONING, THE SUFFERINGS OF HE RIGHTOEOUS.

THIS IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT GOD IS UNFAIR, IT MEANS THAT GOD IS LONGSURRERING  AND USES THE WICKED TO BRING FORTH THE MEANS, OF THE END OF HIS PURPOSE.

THE WICKED WILL ALWAYS BE PUNISHED, AND THE RIGHTEOUS WILL ALWAYS VICTORIOUS IN THE END; EITHER HERE OR IN THE WORLD TO COME.

GOD IS GOOD, THEREFORE HIS PLANS SRE GOOD. HIS PLAN CANNOT BE DEFEATED.

IN THE END, JOB WAS PRIVILEGED TO REALIZE THAT GOD HAD A WONDERFUL PLAN THAT HE COULDN’T SEE. HE CAME TO UNDERSTAND THAT HIS SUFFERING HAPPENED FOR A LARGER PURPOSE —-EVEN IF HE COULDN’T PERSONALLY UNDERSTAND THAT PURPOSE. HIS EYES BECAME OPEN TO THE FACT GOD IS GOOD, HE CARES ABOUT HIS PEOPLE, AND HIS PLAN CAN’T BE DEFEATED, NO MATTER WHO IS USED TO BRING IT TO PASS.

    ISAIAH 19:14 – THE LORD HATH MINGLED A PERVERSE SPIRIT IN THE MIDST THEREOF, AS THE DRUNKEN MAN STAGGERETH IN HIS VOMIT.

AMOS 3:6 –  SHALL THERE NOT BE EVIL IN THE CITY, AND THE LORD HATH NOT DONE IT?  

TO BRING EGYPT INTO SO DISTRACTED A STATE, THE HAND OF GOD HAD BEEN NESCESSARY. HE HAD INTRODUCED INTO THE NATION A SPIRIT OF PERVERSENESS. THOSE IN WHOM THE SPIRIT WAS HAD, THEN LED EGYPT ASTRAY IN ALL HER DOINGS. THEY  HAD MADE HER LIKE A DRUNKEN MAN, WHO STAGGERS ALONG HIS PATH, AND SLIPS IN HIS OWN VOMIT. 

LONG -CONTINUED SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY PRODUCES OFTEN A SORT OF INTOXICATION IN A NATION.

WE SEE HERE THAT GOD HAS CONTROL OVER MAN’S CIRCUMSTANCES. EVEN IN OUR REBELLION, GOD CAN WORK HIS PURPOSES THROUGH THEM ALL.

I WAS STRUGGLING ABOUT HOW TO END THIS MESSAGE AND REALLY WANTED GOD’S MIND.

DURING MY TIME WITH THE LORD THIS MORNING, HE SPOKE THIS TO ME:

     “NOW TRUST ME TO GIVE YOU THE ENDING OF THIS MESSAGE. THE REASON YOU HAVE STRUGGLED WITH IT, IS BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT THE EXPOSING OF THE ENEMY’S PLANS. IT EXPOSES THE FACT, THAT ALTHOUGH HE GOES AFTER THE DESTRUCTION OF MY OWN CREATION, I STILL TAKE HIS REIGNS AND HE CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS  ALWAYS THAT I AM IN CONTROL OF MY CHILDREN’S DESTINY EVEN THOUGH THEY RUSH AHEAD AND BRING DELAY TO THEIR OWN HURT. I WILL ALWAYS SUCCEED IN MY WAY OF DOING THINGS. I KNOW THAT YOU DON’T ALWAYS SEE THAT I AM IN CHARGE, BUT I EVEN USE HIS PLANS TO FULFILL MY PURPOSE. HE THINKS HE IS A MATCH FOR ME, BUT HE HAS NEVER BEEN A MATCH FOR THE ONE WHO CREATED HIM. HE IS YOUR ENEMY, BUT I USE HIM AS A PUPPET IN MY PLANS. HE THINKS HE CONTROLS THE LIFE OF A SINNER, BUT HE ONLY FOOLS HIMSELF INTO THINKING IT. I AM ALWAYS COAXING AND TURNING THE SINNER HERE AND THERE  TO SEE THE TRUTH AND COME TO MY PLAN OF SALVATION AND FREEDOM FROM THE BONDAGE SATAN HAS THEM TRAPPED IN. YOU SEE IT ALL THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES.  AS YOU SEE IT, I AM ACTUALLY REVEALING IT TO YOU. THE DEVIL HAS NO POWER OVER ME AND MY PLANS. I JUST USE HIM. THE SINNER HAS A WILL TO CHOOSE, BUT I ALLOW HIM TO BE MOVED HERE AND THERE; BUT THE ULTIMATE CHOICE IS UP TO HIM TO CHOOSE ME AND MY LIFE FOR HIM,—OR SATAN’S. I MAKE SURE THOUGH, THAT, THAT SINNERHAS EVERY CHANCE TO SEEK THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I MOVE HIM HERE AND THERE, AND WATCH OVER HIM LIKE A SHEPHERD HIS SHEEP, BUT WITH THE GREATEST LOVE AND CARE THAT NO ONE CAN MATCH.  YES, THE DEVIL THINKS HE IS IN CHARGE HERE, BUT I NEVER GAVE HIM FULL POWER. HE IS …THE PRINCE AND POWER OF THE AIR…, BUT HE WILL NEVER BE KING. I HAVE THE PLAN FOR HIS DESTRUCTION ALWAYS IN MIND. HE KNOWS MY PLAN BUT THINKS HE HAS THE POWER TO BEAT IT. HE IS NEVER IN CHARGE OF MY CREATION, NEVER!”

     “IT IS IMPORTANT THAT MY CHILDREN KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THIS. THIS IS NOT A NEW REVELATION, BUT A REVELATION LONG FORGOTTEN BY MAN. I AM READY FOR THIS TO BE REVEALED TO MY CHURCH.”

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THE LIFE GIVER

Nowhere in the Bible do we find where Jesus came to bring death.

Everywhere He went, He brought life.

He is the access to the Father, the only access.

He raised the dead.  He gave eternal life through His death. 

 

In John 10:9-11 Jesus said, —

      I am the door; (or I am the access to the Father) by Me if any man enter in, He shall be saved and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  

      The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

      I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

Jesus is the door to the sheepfold.

He is the way of life. 

Who would shut-up the way of life, to live the way of the world?

We are in this world, but not of this world.

By Him, we have eternal life, but we can also move about on this earth, living in two worlds (heaven and earth), freely, with His guidance, without fear of the enemy.

Why?  Because He watches over us.

He is our Shepherd; the Good Shepherd.  He watches  over us individually, with tender care, and self sacrificing love.

The Shepherd died, that we might live.

 

 Also, our Shepherd knows when it is time for us to go home to heaven.

At that time, He will call us.  But before that, He will prepare us for our journey.

Many are afraid of death.  They walk around in fear of the unknown.

We, as children of God, are to have life each day and not dread and fear of death.

 

For, Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly:  More than we can possibly use.  Abundant supply.

Those who receive life from Him, have within them, continual sources of life for others.

We witness: they get saved: they witness: others get saved; and it goes on…

 

Those in their graves, who are dead in Christ, will know life again. This is our Blessed Hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:14, 16-18 —-For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (or die) in Jesus will God bring with Him.   

       For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

      Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

      Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

Part of our abundant life in Him, is to know these things, this great promise of being able to be with our loved ones, when the end of this age comes, who died in-Christ.

Every day, I go to Greenville from my house, I have to pass by my Daddy’s grave.  I have the peace of knowing his soul and spirit are not in that grave, but are with Jesus.  Only his body is left there, but it will be resurrected on that day of the Rapture, and if I am passing by that way  at the time his body leaves that grave, I can watch it come up and meet the Lord in the air with My Daddy.

To me, it’s as though he is on a trip and will soon return to me.

 

Woman of God, it is an abundant life when we know that we know we are ready to meet the Lord, should He come today.

 

Sinner, don’t be left behind. Trust Him today to care for you as your good shepherd.

Jesus loves you; He gave His life for you.  You are not really living until you put your life in His hands.  I’ve heard people say, “I’m not ready, I am still young.  I want to live my life they way I choose.”

What are you giving up to invite Him into you life?  I’ll tell you.  You are giving up eternal torment and destruction for eternal life;  You are giving up hell for heaven; you are giving up the lordship of Satan, for the Lordship of Jesus Christ;  you are giving up no peace for the “Prince of Peace.

Some women tell me they are afraid their boyfriend or husband will get mad or even leave them if they ask Jesus into  their lives.  Would you sell your soul to the devil for someone who wants you to go to hell, and to be eternally separated from God?  He doesn’t love you, he loves himself, he loves the sin you share with him.  He is just like the devil, when he gets through with you, he will laugh at you.   This might seem harsh , but believe me, I have seen too much of it.

We can decide to serve God and live according to His standards, or we can set our own standards and live outside His blessings.

The choice is ours.

 

Proverbs 8:36 —But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all that hate Me love death.

Romans 6:23 —For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is coming a time when all this will be played back in your mind computer.  You will remember when you were witnessed to about your soul’s destination.  Their is only one way you can be born again, saved from destruction:

For you who did not pray that prayer with me,

Invite Jesus into your heart now,  don’t live another day without Him, there is no promise of another chance.

God is righteous and demands full obedience from His creation.  He will not tolerate unrighteousness, and designed hell to eternally house those who are not willing to submit their lives to Him.

 

 

 

There is no other way to the Father but through Jesus.

Jesus said in John 14:6 … I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father, but by Me.

Jesus is Life.  He is still giving life.

      John 3:16 — For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Think about it.  Everlasting life.

Look at verse 17,18 —-For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

      He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God

Pray this prayer with me, and receive Jesus, by faith, as your Lord and savior:

Jesus, come into my life, and save me.  I am sorry for my sin, I repent of my sin. I am tired of trying to live my life, my way. I give my life to You.

Deliver me from every stronghold of bondage. In Jesus name I pray.

Thank You for saving me.

 

If you prayed this prayer, please write me. and I will send you a booklet on the next steps:

 

      Woman of God

      PO Box 9315

      Greenville, SC 29604

Or E-mail me at

      lmcigreenville@aol.com and tell me what is going on in your life: your struggles, your victories.

 

We have already seen where Jesus Christ is life, conqueror over death, and the only way to the Father.

There are also special promises from God for those who serve Him;

      Eternal life

      Peace

      Joy

      Abundant life

      Heaven

      Escape from hell

There is a great contrast between heaven and hell, and both are real places: one to joy and one to darkness with no hope.

Choose the life giver.

 

Until next week.

 

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THE DREAM IS CERTAIN

DANIEL 7:13,14 –  I SAW IN THE NIGHT VISIONS, AND, BEHOLD, ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN CAME WITH CLOUDS OF HEAVEN, AND CAME TO THE ANCIENT OF DAYS, AND THEY BROUGHT HIM NEAR BEFORE HIM.

AND THERE WAS GIVEN HIM DOMINION, AND GLORY, AND A KINGDOM, THAT ALL PEOPLE, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES, SHOULD SERVE HIM: HIS DOMINION IS A EVERLASTING DOMINION, WHICH SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, AND HIS KINGDOM THAT WHICH SHALL NOT BE DESTROYED.

GOD IS SHOWING DANIEL THE FUTURE KINGDOM OF GOD ON THE EARTH. DANIEL IS SEEING AND EVENT THAT IS  OVER 2000 YEARS IN THE FUTURE, AFTER THE VIRGIN BIRTH, THE CROSS, THE RESURRECTION, AFTER THE ASCENSION OF JESUS TO HIS HEAVENLY THRONE.

THE SON OF MAN IDENTIFIES JESUS AS THE GREAT JUDGE, THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, RETURNING TO THE EARTH, TO DESTROY THE WICKED KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD, TO SET UP THE KINGDOM  OF GOD ON THE EARTH. TO ARREST SATAN, TO BRING THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD TO THE EARTH.

DANIEL SAW THIS GREAT EVENT, HE SAW THE ANCIENT OF DAYS, WHICH IS FATHER GOD. I BELIEVE  JESUS WAS BROUGHT NEAR AND BEFORE THE FATHER, AFTER HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE EARTH, HIS RISING INTO THE CLOUDS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS. DANIEL SAW THIS EVENT.

HEBREWS 1:13  – BUT TO WHICH OF THE ANGELS SAID HE AT ANY TIME, SIT ON MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENIMIES THY FOOTSTOOL?

JESUS IS RULING THROUGH HIS CHURCH AT THIS MOMENT, BUT THE WORLD GOVERMENTS STILL RULE THIS WORLD, THIS WILL CHANGE SOON, FOR THE KING OF GLORY IS RETURNING, AND THE RIGHTEOUS WILL RULE AND REIGN WITH HIM. HIS THRONE WILL BE IN JERUSALEM.

JESUS  TOOK ON HIMSELF HUMAN FLESH, THROUGH THE VIRGIN BIRTH, HE BECAME LIKE US, HE CAME TO OFFER US FORGIVENESS OF SIN, HE CAME TO OFFER US MERCY, A PARDON FOR OUR SIN, HE CAME TO OFFER US HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. HE CAME TO RESTORE WHAT THE FIRST ADAM LOST. WE WHO RECEIVE HIM ARE MADE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD. WE ARE BORN AGAIN INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD. THE LORD CREATED ALL OF US WE ARE ALL ONE BLOOD, CREATED FOR HIS GLORY. WHY NOT ACCEPT JESUS TODAY IF YOU DON’T HAVE HIM IN YOUR HEART, ASK HIM TO COME IN.

MATT25:31-34   WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL COME IN HIS GLORY, AND ALL THE hOLY ANGELS WITH HIM, THEN SHALL HE SIT UPON THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY:

AND BEFORE HIM SHALL BE GATHERED ALL NATIONS: AND SHALL SEPERATE THEM ONE FROM ANOTHER, AS A SHEPHERD DIVIDETH HIS SHEEP FROM GOATS:

AND HE SHALL SET THE SHEEP ON HIS RIGHT HAND, BUT THE GOATSOF THE LEFT.

THEN SHALL THE KINGSAY UNTO THEM ON HIS RIGHT HAND, COME YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.

THIS IS OF COURSE THE RETURN OF CHRIST, THE SON OF MAN, THE GREAT JUDGE OF THE NATIONS WHO EXIST AT HIS RETURN.

THE KING IS COMING AGAIN, HE WILL PUT DOWN HUMAN GOVERNMENT, AND GOD HIMSELF WILL REIGN ON THIS EARTH.

DANIEL 2:44,45 –  AND IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS SHALL THE GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGDOM, WHICH SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED: AND THE KINGDOM SHALL NOT BE LEFT TO OTHER PEOPLE, BUT IT SHALL BREAK IN PIECES AND CONSUME ALL THESE KINGDOMS, AND IT SHALL STAND FOR EVER.

FORASMUCH AS THOU SAWEST THAT THE STONE WAS CUT OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT HANDS, AND THAT IT BREAK IN PIECES THE IRON, THE BRASS, THE CLAY, THE SILVER, AND THE GOLD; THE GREAT GOD HATH MADE KNOWN TO THE KINGWHAT SHALL COME TO PASS HEREAFTER: AND THE DREAM IS CERTAIN AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF SURE.

JOHN THE BAPTIST DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE TWO ADVENTS OF JESUS, NEITHER DID THE APOSTLES FULLY UNDERSTAND THIS. BUT WE CAN LOOK BACK AND SEE GODS PURPOSE, AFTER THE NATION OF ISRAEL REJECTED THEIR MESSIAH JESUS, THE GOSPEL WAS RECEIVED BY THE GENTILES.

BUT REMEMBER THIS, THE GIFTS AND CALLINGS OF GOD ARE WITHOUT REPENTANCE. THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CAME TO US GENTILE NATIONS THROUGH THE JEWISH PEOPLE, JESUS, HIMSELF BORN INTO A JEWISH FAMILY. WE ARE ALL ONE BLOOD, OUR BOUNDARIES WERE SET BY GOD, YOU AND I WERE BORN WHERE GOD INTENDED FOR US TO BE BORN, YOU WERE BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. YOU HAVE A PURPOSE IN THIS EARTH FOR THE KING. STAY BUSY UNTIL HE COMES. COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS. AMEN.

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GOING THROUGH THE FIRE OF RESISTANCE

SO MANY WITH CALLINGS ON THEIR LIVES DON’T GO THROUGH WHAT I CALL PREPARATION PERIOD.

THEY RECEIVE THE CALL, AND DON’T WAIT ON GOD, BUT GO HEAD-ON INTO DISAPPOINTMENT, IF THEY DON’T STOP AND ASK GOD TO LEAD.

ACTS 14:22 – CONFIRMING THE SOUL OF THE DISCIPLES, AND EXHORTING THEM TO CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, AN THAT WE MUST THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

DAVID IS A GOOD EXAMPLE WHO WENT THROUGHT THE FIRE OF RESISTANCE.

HE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF ONE WHO WAITED ON GOD.

I CAN SEE HIM ENJOYING HIS LIFE AS A SHEPHERD, AND KEEPING HIS SHEEP SAFE FROM THE BEAR AND THE LION, WHILE HIS SLING WAS IN REACHING DISTANCE, AND SPENDING TIME WITH GOD UNDER THE STARS: SINGING HIS INSPIRED PSALMS TO THE LORD, WHILE PLAYING THE MELODIES ON HIS HARP.

THERE IS NOTHING IN THE SCRIPTURES THAT COULD MAKE US THINK THAT GOD HAD A PURPOSE IN MIND FOR HIM TO BE KING DAVID (AT THIS POINT AND TIME), NOR THAT EVEN GOD WOULD CALL HIM …A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART…

HE WAS PROBABLY JUST AS SURPRISED AS ANYONE.

WHEN KING SAUL WAS TROUBLED BY THE EVIL SPIRIT, IT WAS GOD’S PURPOSE FOR DAVID TO BE THE ONE TO PLAY HIS HARP.

THE SAME THING FOR DAVID BECOMING A MIGHTY WARRIOR.

IT WAS GOD’S PLAN FOR HIM, BUT NEVER DO WE SEE DAVID TRYING TO MAKE A BIG NAME FOR HIMSELF.

MY FRIEND, DAVID PASSED THROUGH THE FIRE OF RESISTANCE FROM THE ENEMY OF HIS SOUL.

THE ONE HE HELPED AND HONORED, TURNED AGAINST HIM, AND EVEN DESIRED TO TAKE HIS LIFE.

THESE EVENTS JUST CAUSED DAVID TO BE STRONGER AND MORE PREPARED FOR THE PURPOSE AHEAD.

HE LEARNED WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN HE BECAME THE MIGHTY LEADER OF HIS PEOPLE.

HE WAS ANOINTED KING BY SAMUEL:  I SAMUEL 16:1,13 – AND THE LORD SAID UNTO SAMUEL, HOW LONG WILT THOU MOURN FOR SAUL, SEEING I HAVE REJECTED HIM FROM REIGNING OVER ISRAEL? FILL THINE HORN WITH OIL, AND GO, I WILL SEND THEE TO JESSE THE BETHLEHEMITE: FOR I HAVE PROVIDED ME A KING AMONG HIS SONS.

          THEN SAMUEL TOOK THE HORN OF OIL, AND ANOINTED HIM IN THE MIDST OF HIS BRETNREN: AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME ON DAVID FROM THAT DAY FORWARD. SO SAMUEL ROSE UP, AND WENT TO RAMAH.

SO DAVID TAKES OFF TO THE PALACE OF SAUL, PUTS SAUL OUT ON THE STREET, AND MOVES IN THE PALACE AND THEY ALL LIVE HAPPY EVERY AFTER????  

NO! THAT’S NOT THE WAY GOD DOES THINGS.

DAVID WENT THROUGH MANY BATTLES, WAS ON THE RUN FROM SAUL, AND HAD TO HIDE OUT IN CAVES.

THE LIFE OF ALL GREATLY USED MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD THAT I KNOW ABOUT, HAVE SUFFERED MANY BATTLES, BUT AS THEY WON EACH BATTLE, IT MADE THEM STRONGER TO FACE THE NEXT ONE WITH GREATER VICTORIES EACH TIME.

IT SEEMS THAT THEIR FAITH BECAME STRONGER AND STRONGER TO KNOW GOD’S WILL AND THEIR PURPOSE IN GOD’S KINGDOM WOULD BE FULFILLED.  

 

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