INTO THE DEEP
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. - Hebrews 11:5
Rise and Shine
by Susan Rose
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the Earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising – Isaiah 60:1-3.
Remember how the face of Moses glowed when he came down from the mountain? (Exodus 34:29-35.) Moses had been with God, and the glory of God was seen upon him as a visible light. The children of Israel were allowed to glimpse this light—the lingering residue of God’s presence.
Today, God's glory is not only on His children, but in us, waiting to influence the world. Being vessels of the Holy Spirit, we have more than a residue of God. We carry around with us the fullness of His being—His love, His power, His victory and the brightness of His glory. And by faith, we draw upon all that God is. Faith is the switch that activates the presence of God within.
When I read Isaiah 60:1-3 and hear God say, "Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you," the Holy Spirit urges me to take the words personally. God tells me to rise up with faith to a new level—to a place of honor as His child. I’m asked to stand up and step out into my destiny. I’m asked to rise up and believe that His power and His glory will saturate all that’s required of me. As long as I abide in Him, trusting and obeying, I simply cannot fail.
Since the words of Isaiah are an Old Testament prophecy, the enemy tried to convince me that I can't apply this scripture to my life in a personal way. But the Lord intervened. These verses are important to my spiritual growth, so He sent me a message of confirmation.
A few months earlier while browsing for antiques, I had purchased a framed embroidered scene that included a smiling sun, a birdhouse, seven flowers with button centers and the words "Rise and Shine" sewn in purple thread. I didn't recognize the familiar phrase as being scripture, but I liked the positive message. And I liked the simple, childlike needlework in its primitive frame. Later, when God began revealing to me the importance of Isaiah 60:1-3, I realized that the three embroidered words actually are scripture. As I stood looking at the picture, God spoke to me, saying, "I caused you to buy this. It's My assurance that the message in the book of Isaiah is for you. You'll be reminded every day that by faith, your future will be bright."
Not just for me, the message of "rise and shine" is for every Christian who wants to rise above his wayward past. It’s for every person who longs to make a difference in this world. These words display the heart of God toward all people, young and old, wherever they may be.
Our Father urges us to believe. He whispers to our spirit, asking that we have faith in His love and in His strength—the love that supersedes our failures and the strength that takes us far beyond our human limitations.
God wants every one of us to be free from dysfunction and sin. We mustn’t dwell on memories of what we used to be. If Satan can convince us that we’re still shameful people, that we’re not worthy of what God offers, then we won’t dare to claim our position of honor, authority, and blessing. We must not listen to this barrage of condemnation coming from the enemy. God's word says, "As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" – Psalm 103:12. Embracing God's life-giving truth will make us strong and give us confidence for whatever lies ahead.
Now please don't say, “But I’m just a simple person, and I can’t do any better,” or “Well, you don’t know about my past!” These statements come from a false humility that refuses the grace of God. They come from a heart that rejects the truth. If you insist on having these mindsets, then you’re living in rebellion. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus tells us to perform diligently, using what we’ve been given. When we do this, we’re rewarded with promotion. If we use the handful of faith we've been given, then we'll receive a gallon of faith for the next "adventure" with God. But if we waste our gifts because we’re lazy or afraid, then they’re taken away.
Please don't close the door on God's truth and tell Him that He can’t operate in your life. Don't choose the mediocrity and failure of unbelief over the power and glory of faith.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence –
1 Corinthians 1:27-29.
These words should make our hearts beat faster! God says He won’t use human strength to do His work. He insists on using the weak, even the despised people. He'll use the people who exercise faith.
The brightest glory of God will not be revealed when the rich or the highly educated take the stage. It will enter through the inspired works of the righteous and be heard on the lips of the holy. The brilliant splendor of God will spring from the hearts of the “unimportant.” One day soon, the light of truth and hope will flood the earth—as faith swings open the gates.
Thank You, Lord, for all that you say. Thank You for every warning, every chastisement, every direction, every encouragement and all revelation of Yourself. Thank You for the gift of faith and for the brightness of the future.
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them . . . . . that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me - John 17:22,23.
Dare to Dream !
by Susan Rose
I want my life to count for something of eternal value. I want to be a positive influence on those around me. Do you have these thoughts? Let me assure you, they’re coming from God. He’s leading you in a quest for significance—a desire that grows while abiding in Him. As Christians, we have the power to walk away from mediocrity. We're called to make a phenomenal impact in this world.
Have you come to a place where you’re discovering new hope at nearly every turn? Is the Lord renewing your mind and strengthening your spirit with His truth and love? Then go forth, Christian, and be strong in your new vision! Expect to see God’s power transform your life and the lives of others. Be confident that you’ll do the work that Jesus did, and even more.
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father - John 14:12.
Let faith lift you up and show you the glory of God!
Do you want to please God? Then believe Him! Dreams that result from faith in a living word from God are no longer dreams, but reality. Continue spending time with the Lord, allowing Him to teach and transform you. Embrace His hope and purpose for every day. Dare to dream those dreams inspired by the Most High God.
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him;” for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him – Hebrews 11:5,6.
Deep Water
by Susan Rose
Someone has said, "Once you're in water over your head, it doesn't matter how deep it is. Whether you're in ten feet of water, or fifty, you still can't touch the bottom." I believe the same is true in the spiritual realm, and God is calling Christians to that place out in the deep. If we're 5' 2", He wants us in six feet of water. We'll be in over our heads, but that's exactly what God intends. In total dependency upon Him, we'll live our lives in His strength and for His purposes. We'll spend each day abiding in His love.
I've heard stories of fathers who would throw their children into the river to teach them to swim. This had to be terrifying for the child, and I believe the term "sink or swim" originated from these times. Only a cold, hard man would do that to his son or daughter. I'm glad that God, our Father, doesn't treat us in such a harsh way. When it comes to faith, He lets us wade in the shallows for a long time. We're given plenty of time to test the waters before we're asked to move further from the shore.
But the day will come when we're beckoned to move into deeper water. God will ask us to leave the comfort and familiarity of our knee-deep abodes. We can choose to "launch out into the deep" with Him, going to new and exciting places. We can begin a great adventure that is sometimes frightening, but always safe. God will teach us to walk on the water, and we'll learn to calm the storms as we abide in His mighty presence.
So, how do we launch out into the deep with God? Very simply. We do it by faith. Our faith in God will take us wherever we're called to go. And where do we get enough faith to move into the deep and not be afraid? We find it in His word. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God - Romans 10:17.
The Spirit of God urges us to trust Him and His word. As He guides us through each day, we're reminded of appropriate scripture as we need it. If we apply God's word to our lives, the new beginnings of faith will be nourished and grow into something sturdy. God will give us new chores and send us on errands of greater importance. Then, while out and about, we'll look around and discover that we've traveled far from the sunny shore.
Now what's the purpose of all this? Why walk with God on the stormy sea when we could walk with old friends on a familiar beach? The most important reason I know is this: When we're in water over our heads, looking to God for strength and life, then we'll have Him in every breath we take. God is calling us to a place where we'll see Him and know Him as never before. His heart longs for our fellowship. Our Father is calling us to His knee, and Jesus waits with open arms.
Would you ever be the same after this kind of personal contact with God? Of course not! Your smile and the look in your eyes would be fresh and alive. Your voice would resonate with joy. All thoughts would relate to what had transpired between you and God as you basked in His love. Worship would be a continuous affair—never fading, never ending.
Your faith would skyrocket, and no spirit of fear would ever succeed. Power and glory would adorn your days, as the new love in your heart captured the hearts of others.
"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" - Matthew 4:19.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. - Psalm 42:5
