This morning I heard the following verse: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”—Col 1:15
This is a thought as it relates to Christmas time. Jesus didn’t start or begin in the manger in Bethlehem…Christmas didn’t begin there…Christmas began since creation! That’s what the passage above says…Jesus started when the invisible God (invisible to us) created everything. The plans for Christmas (Plan B) was in place since Adam and Eve sinned---God had all these things planned and were invisible until the right time came and when Jesus came to earth that was the fulfillment of all of this plan. There are 2 reasons I share this with you today so you can be blessed and edified:
1. First, think about what things are invisible to you from the invisible God, but that are at work---things for your favor and advancement in different areas of your life. Just because we don’t see them or know what they are doesn’t mean they aren’t at work. Things like what Jer 3:29 says and Eph 3:20. Remember the Word reminds us what faith is---the evidence of things not seen. In the Old Testament faith was believing a Messiah would come. Believing He was eventually coming as everyone went through trials and tribulations and even imprisonments and bondages. Faith in the New Testament was believing the Messiah HAD come born of a woman and died for the sins of the world. Believing this even though a different Messiah was expected---one not so much meeting the qualifications of Jesus the Messiah. Every generation has had its own reasons to NOT believe and doubt, but then that’s why that isn’t faith. Do we have faith to believe the invisible God who has been at work since creation is at work in our life today??
2. Secondly, think about the growth and changes you have wanted this year. I don’t want to overuse the word but it’s the word of the year for me: breakthroughs. When did they start for me? Not this month. My process of breakthrough started in the summer of 2010. It started with me realizing my current spiritual condition needed much revision from God and the Holy Spirit. Then came a process. For us to expect certain results and we haven’t had a beginning is almost foolish. God is a God of instant power, but Jesus loved processes. And everyone went through their own. Processes don’t have to be bad and hurt. They only hurt when our flesh and will rebels against it. When our spirit is aligned with God’s spirit, we are right in line with what He is doing in us and for us. Just like Christmas didn’t begin in Bethlehem our breakthrough isn’t going to begin somewhere it has never started---some of us need to first allow a process to begin. Others need to realize what the process is and allow God to continue it. Some need to be in faithful expectation of results of the process. Eric Johnson from Bethel shared the following: “Let some time go by before you measure yourself…you don’t grow in 24 hours.” He was sharing how his daughters used to want to see how tall they were everyday etc. Sometimes we’re like this---we make a determination on Monday and come Friday we’re anxious to see answers!! Hey let’s wait on God---let’s be in expectation and preparation of His work. And we need to take action---here’s a thought for you: "The complacent sit by the fire and are warmed with information. The consumed step into the fire and experience transformation." - R. Worley We must be experiencing transformation in our spirit every day!! And only a life consumed by Spirit and Spirit things will be there….if you didn’t see the spiritual growth and experiences you wanted in 2011 ask the Lord why? There may be some things you are holding onto that are getting in the way. Hidden areas that need to be exposed in prayer by the Lord. Don’t just be filled with information experience transformation!
This 2011 year marked so many blessings in my Spirit life. I had many internal breakthroughs as well as some external visible to the eye. Best of all I came closer in my relationship with the Lord. Can I stop? Should I stop? Of course not!! God didn’t stop with Jesus in Bethlehem…His work continued until today and will continue into eternity. I can always grow more, learn more, get rid of more, pray more, read the Bible more, be in intimacy more---it will never be enough. When we start to cut back and allow ourselves some slack is when the enemy has convinced us we’ve done enough and it hasn’t worked---no he is trying to steal your breakthrough.
I believe in 11th hour breakthroughs---that is answers and God movements the last month of the year. The year isn’t over yet. But what we must understand is the year had to have started before it ended. Something has to have a beginning.
When is your beginning coming? Have you begun? If so, what else can happen?? Don’t stop or become complacent---step into the max zone. The zone where even though you’re tired and convinced nothing more needs to be done you DIG DEEPER!! You will be more than shocked at what you find not only in you but in the Spirit realm.
Adelante!!
-Bea Z
Generation Glory Pastor
Iglesia Cristiana Adonai
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