Led Into Love

The stark reality facing all of God’s children is that we live in a world under the control of the evil one.

Many believers know that, but what do you do about it? What can you do about it? Do you fight against it and get behind efforts to make this world more ‘godly’? Or do you adopt a persecuted posture, and live in survival mode?

God, who is never intimidated by the devil, has made a way for us to not only survive in this world, but to thrive, to shine, and to ultimately share in His victory and the devil’s defeat!

Jesus said: "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

When you open your heart to Jesus and He begins to make Himself known to you, you will then be faced with a fundamentally life-changing choice.

Will you follow Jesus into this new life of freedom that comes only from Him ... or return to your old life, at the mercy of your own drives and desires?

Throughout history, God has called people to express Him, to be examples, to be witnesses, to reveal Him to this world. Is that the desire of your heart? If it is, then God extends to you the privilege of being such a person - of seeking Him with all your heart, with all your mind ... with everything you have.

God knows everybody's heart. He knows exactly what's going on in your heart and in your life. He knows your every thought. And it is your privilege to seek Him, to give yourself to Him without compromise, and to discover the amazing reality of being called by God.

"Resist the devil and he will flee from you!" declared the apostle James.

But is that really a good idea? Our enemy is vicious and uncompromising, and he hates God's people with a vengeance. And it sure looks like he is having his way in this world we live in. So is it true after all that he is winning and resistance is futile?

Absolutely not! To the contrary, if you truly are one of God's people, for you resistance is vital!

God is working His purpose out in this world, in ways that you can hardly imagine.

Even if you do believe that, can you also believe that by placing your life in God's hands your will not only see His victory ... but also share in it?

Being a part-time Christian - fitting God into your life how, when and where it suits you - is about the most foolish thing you can do.

But abandoning yourself to God and placing your life into His hands for His glory and His purposes ... is the wisest thing you can ever do!

The day is fast coming when this earth will be filled with the glory of God ... His greatness and power, His majesty and love. Right now He is drawing people to Himself and through them He will be glorified in this world!

As you draw nearer to God and begin to experience the sweetness of knowing Him personally and intimately, you also become aware of who you are relating to. And that's where the fear of God comes in.

Scary? Not when you consider that the fear of God is the key to an incredible treasure provided by Him for you.

In this 21st episode of the Led Into Love podcast, I look back on the way God led me into it in the first place ... and why. I also share with you what is now on my heart, as we move forward together into this year.

As this world spins increasingly out of control, and many believers find their faith in God and His promises beginning to waver, only those who truly know God and love Him with their entire being will be able to stand ... while others waver and their love grows cold.

My prayer, as we go through this year together, is that your heart will be open to receive all that is in my heart ... so that, together, we will give God the desire of His heart.

By definition, the future is not yet here. No matter how much you try to know it and secure it, there are many potential unknowns. If you don’t have the certainty of God being with you in the future, how do you approach it? At best you can try to be optimistic - identifying things that give you some sense of security … even excitement. At worst, the future is a very scary place, fraught with insecurity and full of fear.

But the hope God gives is always about sure things. It is not about what might take place, but what will take place. “…faith is being sure of what we hope for”.