Pearls of Great Value

We’re living in a time when so many people are not living in a relationship with God. Living in a time when people are seeking and searching for answers outside of God and finding only more questions and confusion. Living in a time of doubt, of fear, of unbelief, and this only because people are living outside of relationship with their Creator. 

So many things are put aright when we create space and time for the Lord. Mountains become molehills. Giants are slayed with a stone and a sling. Fires rage but loose their power. The mouths of hungry lions are shut. Jail doors open and chains of bondage break off. The lame walk, the blind see, the sick are healed. The hopeless find hope, the truth sets the captives free, and love destroys fear and unbelief. All because of Him. In Him, in relationship with Him, faith becomes stronger than our greatest foe, and than of whom shall we be afraid? He is our stronghold. In the words of David, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.” Psalm‬ ‭27:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There is danger in not being in relationship with God. If I’m not in relationship with Him, He can’t lead me or guide me. And if He’s not leading me, if He’s not guiding me, I’ll never have the peace and the joy that comes from God. I’ll never have a satisfied heart and mind. Outside of Him, we walk and struggle in our own self made bubble, always striving but never achieving. Outside of Him there is no success, no matter how accomplished you might be. It’s all fleeting and a passing of the wind, here today and gone tomorrow. Only in relationship do we find purpose and true pleasure, because He fulfills whatever He encompasses with life and worth. He magnifies our days so that we accomplish more in less time. He brings joy to the mundane and purpose to every moment in our routines. He restores dreams and revives from the ashes brand new beginnings. He brings clarity where there is confusion and doubt. He is love and whoever is in love with Him doesn’t ever live in fear or bondage because this perfect love drives out all fear. He protects and shields from harm whoever abides in Him; they are kept safe under His umbrella. He who is in relationship with God, out of that person will flow rivers of refreshing and life changing water. Oh, if people could only see the goodness that comes from being with Him! 

Being in relationship with God is also key to producing and bearing fruit. Who wants to be an empty tree, lifeless, without leaf or fruit? I want to carry the fruit of joy, of peace, of patience, of kindness, of love, of mercy, etc. I want to multiply and in multiplying bring more people to Christ. That’s what fruit does. It attracts people. They come and want the fruit they see in you and because you have freely received from Christ, you can freely give! You have been given much, even to overflow, and it’s out of this that you are able to minister to others. 

How do I have a relationship with God? Jesus gave us a good pattern to follow. He valued being with the Father and often went away from the crowds to be alone with Him. He listened to the Father and obeyed His voice. In fact Jesus says, “I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.” 

I find this a bit astonishing, but also humbling. First, I find it amazing that Jesus as fleshly man had to be taught by his Father. If Jesus needed to do this, how much more do I need to be taught by the Father? Second,Jesus submitted to the Father and did nothing on his own. The relationship was so well built that Jesus was completely in tune with the Fathers will. That begs the question: how am I doing in this? Am I so in tune with God that I know His will? Do my ears, does my heart, hear his voice? It’s not that God isn’t speaking, because He is. Sometimes it’s simply because I don’t spend time with God that I can’t distinguish His voice from others. Isaiah 30:21 promises, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” And in John 10 Jesus points out that His sheep hear His voice and a strangers voice they will not follow. God is speaking all the time, but only those who have a relationship with Him and stay close to His heart, will hear Him. 

We’re living in a time when we absolutely need to be in tune with heaven. We pray, “Father may your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. But do we realize that with this prayer comes the responsibility to learn what Gods will in heaven is like? We need to hear from the Father what His will is, then replicate it and do it. If we’re not in tune with what the heart of heaven is like, how can we accomplish its mission? We are to build and pattern on earth as we see it in Heaven! Think about that for a second. Is there peace in heaven or war? Is there envy, hatred,and self ambition? Is there strife or idolatry or sexual immorality? Is there sickness and disease? No! Galatians 5:22 gives us a good idea of what heaven values: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” I look at Jesus and realize he modeled perfectly what Gods will is in heaven. Jesus also shows us how we should pattern and bring the will of God to pass. I’m a firm believer of this: if Jesus did it, I am supposed to do it as well. If Jesus didn’t do it, I shouldn’t either.

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I believe that the time for those believers sitting on the fence in indecision is over. We’re coming to a point in history where the children of God have to make a choice: am I all in or will I continue to dabble in the things of this world? Do we want to know greater depths of glory? Do we want to see Gods kingdom manifesting in signs and wonders? Do we want to know the longing and desires of Gods heart? Do we want to bring change to this world? Than we’ll have to come eat at His table, sit at His feet with Mary and learn from Him. Psalm 25:14 says that God shares His secrets with those who honor and worship Him. Those who have built a friendship with God will also be the ones He confides in. That’s what I call being part of the inner circle! Being in the know. That’s where I want to be. How about you? Do you get excited about being in Gods inner circle and knowing the deep things of Him? Than let us start honoring Him, spend time in the Word, obey His voice, do His will, and prove ourselves trustworthy! Would you share secrets with someone you don’t trust? Well, neither will God.

Learn to enjoy time with God! Develop a history, a story, with Him in the secret place. David’s story didn’t begin on the battlefield with Goliath. It started in a prayer field surrounded by sheep, in an intimate place with only God and him, with a staff and a harp. In this simple yet powerful beginning, the seeds of love grew and bloomed. This was the secret of Davids success. He knew the Fathers heart and sought to dwell with Him, and this one thing was more important to David than anything else. This is what made him a man after Gods own heart. This is what made him a man that God could use for Kingdom purposes. 

We are living in a time where there is much potential for Gods people. When does the light have its most impact? When the room is at its darkest! Let’s not look at all that surrounds us with bleakness and hopelessness. Let’s believe in God. He is on the move. The enemy sees this, sees the glory that is coming and is throwing everything it has against it. But. Nothing can stop what God is about to do! If you need a reminder of Gods might, read Gideons story in Judges 6-7. Yes, I choose to be in the army of Gideon! Though small and greatly outnumbered they proved what God can do with a handful of willing candidates. One day we will look back and like Gideons small army will be able to say, With God we triumphed against the odds! With God on our side the army of our enemy was shaken and they fled! Ours is the victory!

Let us remember this: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm‬ ‭23:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Lord, even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way. Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.” Psalms‬ ‭23:4‬ ‭TPT‬‬