As humans each of us knows suffering in times of crisis or troubling situations. In our self-absorption we may wound or hurt others, even unintentionally.
We’ve been called to serve even as Jesus did – to do what He did. He gives us grace and mercy; new every morning. As we cry out to be strengthened by His Spirit, we can show tenderness and humility in our relationships with one another. Each of us is being called to come up higher. Even as Jesus served and serves us daily, “when He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, and God declared Him to be our High Priest.” (Hebrews 5:9-10)
His great love comes to us in the form of a servant. Moving forward in this journey to perfection, Holy Spirit, help us demonstrate that we are truly faithful disciples. Deliver us from prayers of unbelief, speaking base (crude) things or stating the problem rather than Your Word and truth. What we say is what we get. There is power and life in Your Word.
In Exodus 14:15 (GNB), Moses cried out and God asked him “Why are you crying out for help…move forward.” Have you ever screamed, shouted from your gut, wept until you couldn’t cry anymore? I have. I re-read an old 2004 Ark newsletter and saw my God’s leading in the desire to perfect me. Even Jesus cried out on the cross “Why have you forsaken Me?” For Him it was a human moment lasting briefly. Not like us. But, if we tarry too long, we can get off into self-pity or self-will.
Prayer is the most important first thing to do. We must allow the Holy Spirit to move us quickly forward to God’s will. Prayer requires our ACTION – obedience in faith. We must choose, as Jesus did, to keep our eyes on Father God and not our weakness!
Our loving heavenly Father has promised that when we are weak, He will be our strength. (Hebrews 11:34) We must choose to move into His purpose and thank Him for good and bad! (Romans 8:28)
The old 2004 newsletter stated we cannot claim instant maturity or receive it simply through laying on of hands. Maturity requires daily commitment to our ever-faithful God! Jesus is our Good Shepherd and will lead us step by step through even the shadow of death. Read 1 John 4:18, in the Amplified Bible. It says every difficulty/problem/crisis is only a shadow. We must keep our focus on Him and His Word! Satan only comes to deceive, torment or distract us.
God’s word is unrelenting, undiminished, uncompromising, incapable of being changed and does not yield to self-will, Satan or life difficulty; “What a record all… have won by their faith…” (Hebrews 11:39) This refers to Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, “yet they did not receive what God had promised, because God had decided on an even better plan for us. His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40)