Almost sounds like financial counsel- if you just hold these shares through all the difficult times there will be a great payoff in the end. How sad it will be, however, if, after all the hard times and diligent persistence, it just gets to be too much and the opportunity of a lifetime is given up for the shallow promise of another holding. As wonderful as it might be to have held those priceless notes, all of their value is completely time-related, so that their only true moment of worth is when they mature. Until that moment they may be traded or sold, but compared to the treasure they represent at the end, all these other options are but miniscule fractions.

At the initial moment of salvation, when a new name is written down in glory and a new birth into the kingdom inspires angels’ rejoicing, there is within the grasp of the new convert a treasure of life that has infinite promise of return. It has an immediate impact on life as it touches every aspect of living with its healing, strength, provision and hope.  When it has its greatest worth, however, is when it is held confidently all the way till its maturity as life here on earth comes to an end. All the way up to that point it may be sold or traded for other shares, and, sadly, this is too often the case, where the advertisements of earthly investments effectively diminish its appreciation and loosen its grip. At the end those other things may be held in large volumes, but they will have 0 worth at the very moment when only shares in Christ are of any value whatsoever. To have let go of sharing with Him for owning the temporal things of this life would be most tragic.

So how is sharing with Him maintained and held with confidence all the way to the end? How are the odds defied and the enemy’s enticements overcome so that the greatest return on an investment can truly be realized? As He is continually magnified and allowed to occupy the thoughts and passions of the heart, as the treasure of Jesus is held higher than other shiny trinkets by an ever-present praise and humility in worship, there will be a firewall raised to resist any of the dangerous invaders of the heart. Rather than just adding the Lord to the other elements in life and trying to maintain Him like another holding in the investment portfolio, He must become the one possession under which every other element resides. Where pressure is felt to become anxious about family, occupation, finances, society, etc., there is an opportunity to release those cares into the possession of the Greater One, trusting Him with the very things that were attempting to displace Him. In allowing them to decrease in value and perspective next to Him, there is an appropriate adjustment of priorities that maintains confidence in Him through the greatest of challenges and the most trying storms. Instead of abandoning the embrace of Him for another resident of the heart, the steady choice of Him above all others will make the relationship with Him more and more stable, unshakeable to the end.

There will be a return, there will be a great reward, and there will be a sure thing of priceless an eternal value if the confidence in Him will but be held in a worship life, unmovable to the end.

Kim and I recently attended a ministry time for pastors at an established and effectively producing church. We got there a little early and had the opportunity to be a part of a prayer time and meet the senior pastor of the church. What made this event particularly significant for me was that several things had occurred on the way to the event that directly challenged our resolve to go on. Because of some very personal and devastating attacks, we were greatly tempted to just turn around and forget the whole thing. There was reason to question the validity of our most precious possession as threats to His presence became magnified, causing a feeling of great solitude and separation. Even with these things heavy upon our minds and hearts, however, we determined to go ahead and make our way to the gathering.

It was the question from the pastor upon our initial greeting that awoke something inside and brought an opening for light once again. He asked us how we were doing. Now, for us at that particular moment, there was a battle of thoughts to determine exactly what a truthful response should be. Right at the front of the mind was a long list of reasons for despair and discouragement, which should have honestly rendered a sorrowful and negative response. Confronted by this question, though, there was this shifting of the mind from those things to the favor side of our circumstances. The question from a brother in Christ brought a return to the answer and provision side of our circumstances. Though we would go on to relate some of our most challenging considerations, there were words of encouragement from him (and from us) that elevated the ever-present solution in Christ above the isolating effect of the fearful thoughts.

We would go on to gain much valuable information from the sessions that would follow, but in that gathering there was something else that took place even though there wasn’t a single song sung or note played- worship. The name of the Lord was raised and His presence was acknowledged above the dominance of circumstances. This was something that took place as a direct result of our coming together with other believers, where we were compelled to abandon the lonely place for the warmth of His loving favor. We weren’t just being hypocrites that were pretending something around others that wasn’t real somewhere else. We were letting what was real in the congregation affect the illusion of defeat the enemy was using to take our victory and make our God seem far away. Together with others He was seen as near once again.

Alone and apart from the body, there will be great opportunities to abandon the vows, to give up on the commitments, and to lose sight of the One who has done so much to be right there next to us and before us. But, in the congregation of those who fear Him, there will be an opportunity for humility to rise with the lifted praise and for the light of His presence to remove the darkness, revealing the good that was there all along. Something that might not have been possible alone will become inevitable in the sanctuary as the song of despair is transformed into the song of triumph and victory.

Here was a man who, a short time ago couldn’t be persuaded to leave his place of hiding on the threshing floor. Full of questions and doubts, He needed to know that this being that was calling him a mighty man of valor was really from God. Once Gideon’s eyes were shifted from his own inabilities to the invincibility of God, there was a commitment made that brought with it a tenacious vision that would not be dissuaded by stacked odds. He must have been incredibly encouraged when his call to arms rendered a gathering of some 32,000 men, and his eyes surely began to shift back to their own ability to make this happen and defeat the Midianites by their own numbers and strength. Possibly he considered the gathering of the men as God’s involvement and that He would give them the strength to fight. Now, though, everything that had seemed to be God up to this point was being removed by God with an explanation that it was too much. Obviously Gideon’s perception needed to be shifted back to God as the source and the finisher of this victory.

This was when, once again, Gideon asked for confirmation that this was indeed God’s will and His plan. This question confirmed, though, there was again renewed in Gideon an unwavering willingness to complete whatever it was that God might ask, however improbable it might seem. And, with the commitment, God continued to confirm His will with faith instilling demonstration that He was at work in the Midian camp to prepare their ensuing defeat. Every faith commitment to the promise of God enabled the anointing and the power of God to His work through the willing and committed vessel.

A call has gone out to each of us from the Word for bravery and a departure from fear- for a commitment to something that God has promised to do through us. Though it will seem impossible and though the odds will be insurmountable, this will actually be confirmation that God is with us, that it will be His power, His direction and His moving that accomplish the impossibly and bring incredible victory to what might appear to be certain defeat. All He is needing from us is the commitment, the decision to present ourselves willingly to whatever task He places before us. From the point of commitment, God is ready to anoint and empower, to demonstrate His supernatural ability in the areas that seem most naturally impossible. From time to time, like Gideon, it may be tempting to shift the eyes back to what may appear to be the provision of God and allow dependence to be on the apparent natural success. At these very times it may be necessary that it isn’t the volume of numbers or the increase in finances themselves that God requires. In fact, the natural abundance itself may become a detriment to God’s working if it diverts focus from the One who doesn’t depend on number or abundance of resources. His greatest resource is commitment, and He will take the smallest and use it for the greatest demonstration of His power through the one who has made the decision to obey with unswerving diligence every detailed task He sets before him/her.

It will require the continually shifted gaze back to His presence and His power all along the way, and His Word will ever be a source for this shifted gaze and renewed commitment. With every choice made to look to Him as the Author and the Finisher, however, there will be the touch of His anointing and further revelation that this is, indeed, the path He has chosen and He is continually preparing for an ensuing victory that will have only one explanation- it was God. All He’s looking for is that faith commitment.

Judges 6:6-7 KJV  And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.  (7)  And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,

… and thus went the story of Gideon and the incredible demonstration of God’s loving hand of protection and deliverance over His people.

I don’t even remember what it was she ‘did’ to me, but I clearly remember standing in the back yard of our house in Burlington, greatly tempted to proclaim what I thought one of my sisters to be at that moment. Though I knew better and I’m sure had a clue that there might be something to pay for it, I finally gave in and loudly declared my sister to be (a two word phrase that describes) someone of less that full mental capacity. While my revenge was sweet for the few moments it took to state my feelings, there was someone else who observed my failure. I was quickly ushered in to the ‘room of doom’ where it was made very clear to my soul through the place that I sit down that these kinds of things would never again be spoken. What was interesting about this experience for me was my perception of my Dad during my experience of what my own actions/words brought on me. It seemed that the one who had provided and cared for me, played ball with me and taken me hunting was now severely against me. I had fallen out of his favor and now I had only frustration and anger towards him. What I came to understand, though, was that in the middle of what I saw as a severed relationship, from my father’s side there was no loss of love or care whatsoever. He just needed me to have a heart change. Though there has since been this need over and over again in my life, the change Dad was after that day was largely achieved as I don’t recall having used those words towards anyone since. What I thought to be a separation and abandonment in my relationship was never that from Dad’s standpoint. He was ever ready to do whatever would be in my best interest, even if that meant allowing my actions to have consequences.

Like Gideon, hiding away from the threats of danger in the world around him, there may be a wondering of what has happened to the God who, according to the stories, brought deliverance and the promise of abundance and freedom to His people. What is reality and what is truth, however, is that His position has never changed. He is just in need of a heart change from us and a return to Him for the favor He continually desires to bring into our life. Though the punishment may apparently be great and the risen enemy ominous, God has never forsaken, but always considers ours enemies to be his, no matter how badly we’ve transgressed. Just on the other side of obedience is an overwhelming confirmation of this truth. Until the heart change is demonstrated by complete trust and compliance, though, the perceived separation may continue. Never will His purpose be other than our completeness and restoration,, and an embrace and incredible time of fellowship awaits the son or daughter who will only rise from their self-chosen pigsty to return with repentance to a Father who has never changed in His love and desire to bless. A great victory and demonstration of His love is waiting down the road of pursuing His will and His kingdom.

Psalms 30:5 KJV  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

While Paul was the star, the one with the great revelation, and the leader of major think tanks of the early church, there was an understanding that went with him wherever he went, that everything he gained, everything he experienced in the way of grace was not his alone, but directly shared by those who had become a part of his heart. For him to have ‘ascended’ somewhere off by himself would have had much less of an effect both for him and all of us who were and are in such need of what he had to share. He seemed to display this incredible drive to press ever closer to his place by the Father with a purpose of taking as many others there with him.

I was fortunate in high school to play on a state championship football team. There were several elements that enabled us to make it all the way through the season to ultimately triumph in the final game, but there was one individual that really made the difference, that we could not have won without. He was a great all around athlete also dominating in wrestling and track to be chosen as the athlete of the year for the state of Colorado. Because he carried the ball, blocked and dominated on defense we were able to defy size differences and persistent odds. There was something else about him, though, that made victory possible for us as a team. He had an understanding that winning as a football player was not something that could be done on his own, that every personal victory was completely dependent on and shared with each and every other member of the team. I as his backup running back didn’t start but one of the games and definitely wasn’t even noticed beside him, but yet I could claim the same championship status as he, and in actuality, the part I did have to contribute was key to the success he enjoyed.

There is a necessity in the pursuit of the kingdom for there to be an understanding that this is a shared pursuit, that any progress made will be dependent on and shared with those other members of the body we’ve been fortunate enough to encounter. While there may be personal revelations and individual spiritual discoveries, their ultimate impact and significance in the larger kingdom game will have much to do with how they are shared rather than horded. In fact their sharing is what they were really intended for. Also, the contributions of each member or player, is just as significant as any noticed ones with the success and effectiveness of any leadership totally dependent upon the participation of each one who will put on a uniform, go to practice and show up for the game. Each one of us as we partake of the grace that is ours in Christ is doing so together with a body that we need and is in need of our part.

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Eph 4:16 (KJV)

There is a time when it is most critical that the focus be relocated upon an unchanging source of encouragement. Though it was David who seemed to have erred and made it possible for their wives and families to be taken captive while the men were away, it was also he through whom God would bring the victory. To have stoned him would have sealed the fate of their families and for David to have become consumed in grief and self-doubt would have kept him from enquiring of the Lord and receiving the direction that would turn apparent disaster into unquestionable triumph.

Right when the voices both from within and without are the loudest, demanding the worst and predicting defeat, there is the greatest opportunity for the turning of circumstances in the hands of a mighty God if His word, His faithfulness and His mercy will but be magnified above the circumstances. When all other sources of stability and strength have been either burned or taken captive, that place of stability upon the Rock, the secret place of the Most High, is yet accessible to the one who has made it their abiding place. David was able to be encouraged at this time because encouraging himself in the Lord was a continual part of his life. Though he seemed to fail in some of the greatest ways from time to time, he had discovered that his God was full of mercy and compassion, and that there was always a place at His side where David was not only welcome, but received as a son with the identity of a winner no matter what the situation might try to paint otherwise. David’s praise of God was one that directly affected his self-perception and his ability to rise from distress to achieve victory, not by his own power, but by that which came directly from a loving God that received his full focus, attention, honor, praise and worship.

Whether or not something has been taken captive and whether or not there are deafening demands for demise, there is a place of encouragement that can be accessed and further established in the presence of a loving Father today. While it will always be the most fulfilling and affirming place of incredible encouragement, there may, like David, be a time when accessing this place will be much more than just a pleasurable option- it could mean restoration or destruction for things so dear to the heart. There will be those whose fate will be determined by a choice of worship and a decision to let God be a source of encouragement over the pressing insistence of discouraging and disabling thoughts and imaginations. For those who have made turning to Him their way of life there will always be an answer to an inquiry for direction that will lead to a triumphant restoration of all that was stolen.

It may be that there isn’t a long list of personal God demonstrations like the lions, bears, and giants of David’s experience to use as a source of encouragement, but for each of us who have been born into new life in Christ, there is an endless source of affirmation, identity-adjustment and encouragement provided in the scriptures. Choosing to acknowledge all those things that are in us right now in Christ will enable a confident advance to the throne of God where help is sure to be found in whatever form necessary. Though it may not be coming from any other direction, there is life-changing encouragement waiting for the one who will put those affirming words of our loving Father in their mouth, mind, and heart. This self-encouragement will be based upon a reality that is independent of what may be seen or heard with natural eyes or ears, and much more powerful to produce a desired peaceful, recovered and restored end.

1 Samuel 30:18-19 KJV  And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.  (19)  And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

The load gets lighter, the time gets shorter and the difficulties have meaning once it is known there is purpose and reason for it all. There is such a tendency for the weight to become unbearable and the time unendurable when it seems like it is all for naught, but as soon as it is fully understood that each difficulty, each effort and each moment is but an investment in something that is exponentially greater in glory, the step takes on a spring, the face a smile and the timer loses its tick.

Several years ago, while living in Tulsa, I was employed as a night clerk at a convenience store. It was actually a chain of stores with several locations around town, and I was privileged to work at some of the more interesting and challenging ones. There was one especially that was located on the opposite side of the city in a particularly dangerous and seedy area just beyond the city center. It had more of a robbery risk than most and was actually robbed just before I arrived for my shift one evening.
While the night clerk had to run the register, the main duty was to have the whole store cleaned and presentable by the time the manager arrived at 6:00. There was always something to do and you could pretty much keep moving all night long, but those hours from 2:00 AM to 6:00 were long and quiet. You also never knew who might join you in your aloneness and in what condition they might be.

As long, lonely, dangerous and physically exhausting as it was to work my little job, there was something that somehow made it worth all the effort- every other Friday when the paycheck would be in my slot. Sometimes there would be an opportunity to work an additional shift, and even as much as all three shifts in a row. You would think that those working the additional shifts would be too tired and worn out to be of much use, but for whoever was working all those additional hours, there was an understanding with the employer that the rate of pay would go to time and ½. Instead of the normal amount on the check, there would also be an amount that was nicely increased at the expanded rate. Those people whom you might expect to be dragging were oftentimes energized and motivated by the understanding that an increased reward was directly related to their efforts. Now, nobody was getting rich, but there was something very real about the reward and its ability to take the mind off of the clock and work effectively through the night. As rewarding as it might have been to work hard and just take pride in a job well done, once the monetary compensation ceased to adequately offset the effort and time, there was no problem with saying, ‘adios’, to the folks at the store.

Jesus said that in this world we would have difficulties and things that we would be ‘afflicted’ with. I love it, though, that rather than just enduring each difficulty with an eye ever on the clock and a scale ever determining its weight of difficulty, we can know that directly related to everything that might tempt us to give up and quit is a reward of far greater magnitude. We are here promised that no matter the length of our endurance and how great the load we’re made to bear, every moment and every ounce is directly impacting our magnitude of timeless and unending heavenly blessing that is ever growing exponentially in size. Though it might seem like the night is lasting forever it will be shown to be the mere moment it truly is, and though the weight seems unbearable it will be shown to be but a feather in comparison to the glory our efforts are affecting. Every trial is not only much smaller than it seems, but it’s also being used to make our glory paycheck one that is more than worth it all. It will never be necessary or even conceivable to say ‘adios’ to the folks at the store when it is fully known that the balance will always go to the weight of God’s glory reward- just need to keep working till He shows up at 6:00.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (KJV)

One of the greatest challenges in relationships, whether it be in the home or the workplace is when a request is made for something specific to be done and this request is not performed. It was requested that the dishes be rinsed off and put in the dishwasher, but 4 hours later they were still perched in the sink with their debris intact. A particular task was to have been completed and reported on by noon, but nothing was heard from that person at the end of the day. An appointment was made for a business meeting during lunch, but 30 minutes past the scheduled time, the other party still hasn’t shown up.

While there are still some reliable, dependable individuals to be found, there is a natural tendency developed over a life of interaction with people to assume that if something isn’t obviously taking place right away then nothing is being accomplished and there is no performance of what was expected. Disappointment and frustration set in along with a fracture, however small it may be, in the relationship with that person who failed to perform. From that point on, they can no longer be depended upon and expectations for future performance must be diminished.

This developed tendency to assume a failure to perform is something that will be lost in a true relationship with our Father God. Though periods of time may pass when activity appears to have ceased, there can be a continual assurance that He has never discontinued the project He’s begun in us. He will never fail to show up, He’ll never fail to clean things up, and His commitment to completion is as solid and dependable as the sun’s rising. With Him there is an ever-increasing level of confidence and hopefulness rather than disappointment and second guessing. Completing what He’s begun in us will never be lowered in His priorities. It will never grind to a halt due to difficulty or struggle we may have. It is not directly connected to our performance, but it is, however, specifically connected to our choice to give Him access and be in Christ along with all this means for His progressive work in us.

Today, right here and right now, the great God of creation is performing in us all that we will allow. How great our confidence should be in His presence this day.

Associations are so important, and you’ll be known by those with whom you choose to associate. This is such an essential understanding, especially for children today. If there is a choice to hang out with those who despise school, watch bad movies, and use profane language, that will be how they are known, and that will also eventually be who they are. This was surely a part of the difficulty the religious critics were having with Jesus. If He was such a great leader, how could He allow His identity to be tainted by those from the other side of the tracks? How could He compromise His holiness and religious perfection by the uncleanness of worldly associations?

While it was unavoidable for Jesus to be noticed for His hanging out with the publicans and sinners, there was, however, another association taking place. For each one of those condemned sinners who were bound in a self image of failure and bondage to sin, their lives were given a whole new perspective after having sat down to eat with the Master. Association in reverse was lifting them from a lifelong label of evil to one of righteousness and acceptance. After all, the Master, Jesus Himself had allowed them to sit right down next to Him and talk to Him as if they were someone of significance. He, in the power of His own identity was allowing them to be associated with His goodness rather than being lowered to their badness.

In the world that will surround us today there is a need among those who may have avoided places of worship. They are in great need of a new association with the Great Physician. Rather than rejection and a cold shoulder, they require a place at the table and a loving voice of acceptance. Rather than imposing their badness through this interaction, there is a desire for an association change of theirs for His. This will require a great assurance of who we are and the true purpose of Jesus in us. There will be brushes with the ‘unclean’, but each and every one of them are looking for an opportunity to be associated with who we are in Christ. If they are truly condemned and living as sinners, their only real hope is an association change and that will only come by hanging out with who you are as an uncompromising but incredibly accepting and loving member of the body of Christ.

Worship is more than a song and a temple identity. It is fulfilling the Father’s heart purpose in touching those who may have been formerly untouchable with the loving balm that will heal and transform their lives.

Till there is a ‘thing’ and until there is a trial, there is nothing to conquer, nothing to be victorious over. While for some the attack or the difficulty may bring cause for depression and defeat, for the conqueror and for the winner it is only another foe to be overcome and another reason to be glad. Instead of worry and concern, there is inspiration and excitement about the coming victory celebration. This perception of imminent triumph is actually what enables the stance necessary for the conquest. Until there is an expectation of victory there can be no advance and no domination of the enemy no matter how great the potential and how small the foe.

With each attack and through each conflict there is actually a qualification taking place for the one that chooses to remain on the side of the Victor. Though David could have reacted to the attacks of the bear and the lion as some kind of judgment or bad fortune, He instead responded with the victorious nature that had come on him from long nights spent with his Maker and his God. His choice of trust in God through those smaller attacks caused him to be uniquely qualified to stand before the giant Goliath. There was, for him, an incredible confidence instilled by the attacks he had already experienced that enabled and qualified him to stand before the ‘invincible’ adversary with full confidence and excitement about what was about to talk place by the hand of his God.

It may seem that according to circumstances we’re being put through an inordinate amount of life difficulty. It may seem that things are unfair, that we’ve been wrongly dealt bad experiences. For all those, however, who choose to put their trust and their hope in God, no matter how much they’ve messed up or chosen wrongly, there is an incredible reason to be glad and rejoice. God will take everything that our enemy has used for evil in our lives and turn it to His glory. We’ll indeed more than conquer through Him!