Continuing Michael’s message from yesterday:
Jesus chose twelve of the most unlikely men of the world to be his
disciples. He did not choose them for their worldly credentials. He
did not choose the wisest, richest or strongest men. He chose lowly
fishermen. He could have said that you will be warriors against the evil
empire. However, His calling was not for his disciples to battle the
adversary, rather, His calling was to be "fishers of men." The
calling of God is in the righteous authority of His Son Jesus Christ
... we are not defined by what we are against, rather, we are defined by Him
for whom we stand. We are defined by the righteousness of God in Christ in us.
Our battle is not against the evil of this world; rather, our strength is in His
righteousness alone. When the darkness of the devil confronts us, our
declaration is, "in His strength you cannot pass here."
Our sovereign Lord has commissioned us as Ambassadors for Christ. As his emissaries of our heavenly homeland, we have been given "diplomatic immunity" in this foreign land. Our mission and commission is to deliver the message and to be the message, for God has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Our sovereign Lord has commissioned us as Ambassadors for Christ. As his emissaries of our heavenly homeland, we have been given "diplomatic immunity" in this foreign land. Our mission and commission is to deliver the message and to be the message, for God has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
God has called us unto freedom. Our freedom in Christ is freedom from the bondage of the sin of ego-centric selfishness. O Lord deliver me from the bondage of my earthen vessel, that the light of your spirit may shine forth. Without you we are empty jars of clay... for we have this treasure in an earthen vessel that the excellency of the power may be of You and not of us.
Our greatest test is not whether we rise or fall, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Rather, the test is whether we get up when we fall ... the test is whether we have the shameless audacity to stand for the One who paid for our sins with the priceless payment of His innocent sinless blood. Only Jesus Christ can balance the scales of God's judgment. The issue is not whether I'm treated justly in this world. Rather it's about my following in the footsteps of my Lord ... when he was treated unjustly, he said “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus came not into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. There is no peace in this world ... however Jesus said, my peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you... let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Therefore, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exaulteth itself against the knowledge of God, take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5-6. Finally brethren, whatsoever thing are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things – Philippians 4:8.
May God richly bless you. May your life pursuit be righteousness in God’s sight.
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
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