Want to Reign in Life?

Want to reign in life?

   We all want to be successful and overcome the obstacles and challenges that we are faced with in this life. Conventional wisdom declares that we must strive, be intentional, determined, and faithful (or lucky), in order to have a successful life; but there is a better way to reign in this life, and the pay-off is guaranteed by the word of God himself!.

"For if by one man's offense death reigned by one [referring to Adam]; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:17

   All those who believe and have accepted the gift of righteousness that was made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus, have an abundance of grace. Your life can be successful and you can reign in this life, when you realize how much Jesus has done for you, and how much he truly loves you. Eternal life includes the 'here and now'.

   Jesus died to save all men, and his free gift of righteousness is available to all who will receive the "abundance of grace"! Those who insist upon establishing their own righteousness, will never partake of the righteousness that is given freely through grace and received by faith.

   Jesus came to save sinners, therefore; the self righteous, and those who are content with their fallen state, will not see the need to rely on God's grace and his free gift of eternal life.

   This grace that saves us, is the unmerited favor and unconditional love that God has extended to all who will receive it. By receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior and your Redeemer, you unlock all the treasures of salvation that your heavenly Father has stockpiled for you!

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who has called us to glory and virtue:" 2Peter 1:2,3

   Too often, we Born Again believers, are content to rely on our own limited resources, and we don't dip into that stockpile of grace that is our inheritance in Christ. We accept that we are saved by grace, but we try to continue on with our lives, relying on our own strength and our own habitual way of doing things. It's 'business as usual', until there is a crisis of some sort, then we storm the gates of heaven for relief and rescue.

   We can avoid all sorts of problems and trouble, by simply relying on the wisdom and direction that God has promised to give us freely by grace. We can truly reign in this life by trusting in Jesus! No matter where you are, or what your situation, Your heavenly Father loves you and wants the best for you. Your failures and setbacks will be turned around as you rely on his grace to sustain and help you! You will find all the endurance and the joy that you need to take you through all of your present trials, and you will find yourself giving glory to God for the victories that will follow.

   Our heavenly Father has given us his word, in the pages of the Bible, to show us his ways, and his grace toward us. His unconditional love is revealed to us as we read the promises and instructions there.

   He has also sent his Spirit to interpret what we have read, and to open our understanding to his truth. The Spirit also reveals Jesus to us, in the Bible, and in our everyday lives. He will speak to your heart when you need direction or comfort. He will give you insight into your circumstances, and help you make better decisions. The Holy Spirit is your helper, he will show you options and opportunities, and give you the wisdom and the strength to make positive changes in your life.

   We can reign in this life by learning to step aside and allow the will of God to operate in us and through us. His kingdom is the realm that we now live in, and He is our source of supply and our wisdom!

   He is never surprised or baffled by anything that happens, He is in control of your future, and you can trust him totally. Fear and anger are a direct result of a lack of trust in his love and his grace; His resources are not limited to what you can see or imagine! Your job might not always be there for you, but Jehovah Jireh, 'The Lord Who Provides' is always here for those who trust him. Our confidence is in him, not in our own limited abilities.

   We all have different struggles in this life, but Jesus is our victory! Our past hurts, and our messed up thinking, can be overcome as we yield to the rule of grace in our hearts, and our minds can be transformed as we absorb his truth. If you are willing to change, He will bring you into maturity and make you an asset to the kingdom. You don't have to hang on to your miserable old stubborn ways, you can be free and have his peace ruling your heart and mind!

   The promise is for this life, you don't have to wait until you die and go to heaven, you can reign through Grace Power right now!

©2011 Rev. Charles J. Loubert

Good Government Guaranteed

Good Government Guaranteed

Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,The Prince of Peace."

   There is a Governor whose name is above all names, and his reign is eternal, his wisdom and power exceeds that of all earthly rulers.

   Presidents, dictators, and kings all have only a few years to rule before death removes them from this earth, but there is a man who has conquered even death, and he is the governor of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is both God and man, he is the King over all Kings and the Lord of all Lords.

   The Kingdom of heaven is not merely the place where Believers go when they die, but it signifies the the rule and influence of God in the present and future world, and His influence in the heart of the believer. Just like leaven in a batch of bread, will change the nature of the dough, so also the word of God and his Spirit transforms the child of God from within; and the believer becomes a positive force in his or her world.

   Jesus wants to govern us from within, and shed his love abroad in our hearts by the presence of his Holy Spirit. As we yield to the reign of God over our lives, we are conformed to the image of Christ, and we are able to influence the world around us. The rule and love of God can be manifested through us as we yield to him.

   His light will show us where we have pockets of resistance to his will, and his grace gives us the desire and power to change! He is our teacher, our defender, our peace, and our righteousness! You can rest in the grace of God and let him take charge of governing your words and actions!

   The government is on HIS shoulders, not your shoulders. Quit trying to give him advice on how to run his kingdom, and just enjoy the ride. It's not your job to tell everyone around you what to do and how to do it, you are called to love and edify your brothers and sisters. Jesus is the governor, and he knows what he is doing at all times. He wants all of us to enjoy fellowship with him and to trust him. He came to give us abundant life and to save us from our own unruly and unwise ways.

   We see a great mystery in this passage in Isaiah: how can the same person be a child,and the everlasting Father at the same time? The Mighty God and Prince of Peace became a man, born as a baby in Bethlehem, and fulfilled all of the detailed prophecies that foretold his birth, life, death, and resurrection. Jesus, our redeemer, completed his mission to save us from our sin, and now he sits at the Father's right hand, as our advocate and intercessor.

   I thank God that he has given us his Spirit and his Word to reveal his goodness and grace to us. The eye of faith can see what the limited human mind can not even begin to believe or comprehend! You don't need to understand all that your Heavenly father is doing in your life, you only need to trust his ability to govern wisely, and you will rest in the peace that comes from believing him.

   The people who hold power in the world are fallen, fallible, and not always benevolent in their purpose. Good government is an elusive and unstable commodity in this world, but in the kingdom of heaven, good government is guaranteed by the very nature of our king! God is love, and as he gains our cooperation and obedience, he can reign over the works of darkness in us, and around us.

   Jesus came into the world to save sinners; his grace and forgiveness are free to all who want it. Let Him govern you and give you the grace to prosper, in spite of your circumstances and your faults. Aspire to walk worthy of the Kingdom that you are called to, as a child of God, and as a subject of the Prince Of Peace.

   As our counselor, the Spirit of God will guide us and comfort us in all that we do. Wisdom is the inheritance of every child of God who will allow himself to be governed by King Jesus. He governs by love and not by coercion. The Mighty God governs us from within, through the power of grace. "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

   The Prince of Peace has come to reconcile us to God. Let go of your rebellion and your lawlessness. Let King Jesus reign in your heart, and allow him to ease your mind of all burdens. He said, " Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

   There is no need to be ruled by your selfish weaknesses and your addictions; you can choose King Jesus, and let his love restore you and heal you. His grace will govern you and keep you for all eternity, when you choose to wear his yoke, and allow him to be your 'Mighty God'. 

   Grace and peace came through Jesus Christ- that's how he governs!

©2011 Rev. Charles J. Loubert