This
Great God of wonders Who is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh this day, is
gathering unto Himself a people who will not be moved. Questions that have been
asked (like those I have mentioned above) are being answered through Jesus
Christ . . . and faith in His name. There are no chances in this Christ Who we know . . . but rather positive answers through a positive Redeemer. He has not left us in darkness, but has hidden us in Himself “in Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). He is “the light of the world” (John 8:12), but only those who turn to Him ever see this light. If we still walk in darkness we are walking in a world of chance, and we cannot see where to go. If we “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7), we can see where we are going, and our feet will be on sure ground. How comforting it is to know that Jesus our Lord has gone before us, as well as being in us, to guide and tend His sheep. Oh! This Lamb of God ~
Who is “without spot or blemish” (1
Peter 1:19) ~ is so precious to us that living IN HIM
is “joy
unspeakable and full of glory” (1
Peter 1:8)! Why did they have to wound Him Who did
them no harm, but rather “loved
them with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah
31:3)? They were taking the chance that if they
disposed of this Jesus then their consciences would be free of this sin that He
spoke of, and the need to be born again would die with Him. The promise of the
Holy Spirit, the Comforter (John
14:16-17), would die a natural death with Him, and the
world could carry on pleasing themselves about God and His laws ~ crucify Him
and bring to an end this Kingdom He spoke of! GOD HAS A PERFECT PLAN They
took their chance ~ but God did not ~ for He had a perfect plan of Salvation,
even for them if they repented. There is
just not one chance in all God’s Word for you and me, but a wonderful plan of
positive promises and grace. What chances did Jesus
take for us? Praise the Lord, He took none! For what He did for us, he did knowing of a surety that “as
many as believed on Him” would have eternal life (see
John 3:14-21).
His blood was shed, His life was given ~
not by chance, but by the will of God for us. When you come to Him out of
that awful darkness, it is not by chance, but in God’s wonderful plan of
Salvation for you! He had your personal
Salvation planned before the foundation of the world! (Ephesians
1:4). When
things happen in your life ~ and you are drawn nearer to Christ the Lord ~ His
plans are being lived out in you. Never lose confidence in the Lord, for He is
ever near and “His everlasting arms”
(Deuteronomy 33:27)
are around and beneath you, while His nail-scarred hands are holding you up. JUST ONE STEP WITH JESUS Just
one step with Jesus is worth more than one hundred steps alone! Just one moment
praising God is better than an hour of despair! Trusting in the Lord now is
better than living the rest of your days for and by chance! No longer do we need
to say, “Perhaps this . . . or probably that,” but rather let us say and
believe that “all the Promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen” (2
Corinthians 1:20) to those who believe. Rise up, and
let us “walk
as children of the Light” (Ephesians
5:8)! If
darkness surrounds you, rise higher, for “the Son of Righteousness has arisen with healing in His wings” (Malachi
4:2)! If you feel you are sinking, step on to the
Rock, Christ Jesus ~ be steady and sure, taking no chances. If you feel you are
missing out, reach out and touch the Lord. He is nearer than your breathing and
has offered to take your burden. If you are discomforted, receive the Comforter,
the Holy Spirit! Pentecost is for the 21st century just as much as it
was in Acts Chapter 2! Do not be afraid of getting too much of the Lord, but
“sell out” completely to Him . . . and what a miracle will take place! God’s ways are so far
above ours that we must be lifted into them. Our ways are full of chances, but
as we are lifted into His ways, this mighty magnetism and drawing power of
Christ dispels every chance and fear ~ and this bond and unity of spirit causes
us to “live and move and have our being” (Acts
17:28) in Him. JESUS NEVER FAILS! There
is no earthly treasure or possession that does not have some chance, or risk
with it. Our best financial investment can fail. Our most trusted friend can
fail. Our most expensive appliance or vehicle can fail. Even our best intentions
and plans can fail ~ but Jesus our Lord
never fails! He is the One Who makes failures succeed! In fact, it is only when
we realize what failures we are, that He can make us and mould us into His
likeness! Are there chances we
have to take in our daily living? The only time we do take chances is the time
that we do things that we are uncertain about in God. We doubt, or maybe disobey
God’s Word. “If
we walk in the light as He is in the light” (1
John 1:7), our steps will not be uncertain; our way
will be His way, and we will know definitely that we are abiding (living) in
Him, and He in us. The Lord has a wonderful way of leading His sheep and, if we
are in touch with Him in “spirit
and in truth” (John
4:24 & John 6:63), He will lead us “beside
the still waters . . . and in the paths of righteousness for His name’s
sake” (Psalm 23:2-3). If you are uncertain
about anything in your life, take time to be alone with God, not forgetting to
praise Him for what He has already done . . . and then “Trust
in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, and He
will direct your paths” (Proverbs
3:5-6).
You will not need to have to go asking for direction here and there ~
for God, by His Spirit, will direct you as your heart is made bare before Him. No chance, no risk; just
simple faith in a loving Saviour! A lot of our trouble today is that we get
caught up in this “never-ceasing, ever-increasing” pace of life which does
not leave time for us to “Seek
first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be
added to you” (Matthew
6:33). I would encourage you to
take and make time daily to be alone with the Lord, drawing near to Him in love
and praise, and experiencing the priceless blessing in the presence of a living,
loving, wonderful God. Commit your way to Him! Let Him lead you, and the hosts of hell will
not prevail against you ~ because He that reigns is the King of kings and Lord
of lords!
Dear Friend, “Dear God in Heaven, I come to You in the name of
Jesus Christ Your Son. I ask You to come into my heart and life, and fill me
with Your wonderful peace. I repent of all my sins that I have committed against
You, asking Your forgiveness. I am sorry, Lord. Cleanse me now with Your
precious blood that was poured out at Calvary’s Cross for my freedom. I thank
You that You have heard my prayer. I accept You now as Saviour and Lord of my
life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” If you have committed
your life to Jesus Christ for the first time through this prayer, why not take a
few minutes to write to us at: For further Bible Studies, books, manuals, tapes, videos and information, please contact us at the following:
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