Tag Archives: Jeremiah 33:3

POWERFUL WORDS FOR TROUBLED TIMES: TRUTH AND LIGHT

As I was praying for a particular situation a few weeks ago, the Lord spoke two words to me: Truth and Light. He told me to pray for those two things in that current circumstance. As I did, my understanding was opened to how those two words were indeed the answer.

Each of these words have a magnitude of power resident within themselves, but together they are dynamite! I soon began to pray for truth and light in every area of my life and my world.

When light is allowed to shine upon something, the cover of darkness is removed. It is then and only then that truth can be revealed. And what’s so great about truth? Well—the truth will set us free! Truth that is known, understood and acted upon will set men free from the lies of the enemy of God who dwells in darkness and desires that all of us dwell in darkness with him.

I recently challenged each of us to pray for ourselves that God would open our eyes, ears, mind and spirit to whatever we need to know that we currently do not know.  Remember—we don’t know what we don’t know, and we can’t see what we can’t see. Let that soak in.

In Jeremiah 33:3 the Lord tells His people to “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

Truth and light come to us when we seek to know what God is doing behind the scenes—that which is not in clear sight or hearing.  

Truth and light are our only hope if this nation is to survive the current crisis. If truth and light do not prevail, our American way of life will be lost. It will be unrecoverable when it is declared that America is no longer a capitalist nation with individual freedoms of speech, religion, the right to bear arms, and a two-party democracy. If that happens, and it is totally possible, it will be because we the people did not seek for truth and light.

Once again, I ask us all to pray that God will open our eyes, our ears, our minds and our spirits to whatever we need to know that we currently do not know. Christians around the world are praying with us and for us! Surely we can pray for ourselves.

The Word of God is always the basis for truth, and Jesus Himself is the light of the world. Simply ask yourself what does God’s Word say and what would Jesus do?

Dear Ones, if God’s people seek for truth and light—God will give it!

The Fast-Track to Success in 2015

I love the mysteries of God tucked within the pages of His Holy Word just waiting to be uncovered by seekers. God is so faithful to perform that which He promised. Take this one for example: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”1

One favorite that I recently discovered is the secret to going higher in my spiritual walk. We’ve all heard the advice to work harder, jump higher, and run faster. Yet after having tried it all, we find ourselves weary from the workout. What I am about to say might shock some of you; actually, you could think I’m not on the fast-track but on the wrong track!

Remember that Jesus prefaced the mysteries He taught over 2,000 years ago with these words: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”2 In other words, it takes ears that are spiritually tuned to hear and know what Jesus is saying. Ears not spiritually tuned (or trained) simply won’t get it. So it is with this week’s blog.

With your ears tuned to the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit, consider this strategic plan for success in 2015: Success for a Christian means finding the pathway to the higher life in Christ—a life of peace, of power, and of a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ Himself. There is only one path that leads to that higher life: We must go lower—much lower than we’ve ever imagined.

Oh, I know it goes against most everything we’ve been taught—such as to name what we want, tell God about it, begin to speak it, and lo, it will magically appear (as if there is power in repeating something until it comes true). That is not faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.3 The Word speaks nothing of wishful thinking or speaking. Besides, it hasn’t worked; so why hang on to a failed strategy?

Jesus clearly laid out the plan: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

“Servanthood is integral to the gospel. Nowhere else does Jesus give us a path to greatness.”5 Jesus not only gave the plan, He modeled it—He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.6 If we are to find true success in 2015, we must go lower—in humble submission to the Father’s will. We too must die to ourselves and become His servants, allowing Him to have His way with us. Call it following Jesus, if you will.

There is a secret power in humility that can be ours if we will but lower ourselves to find it. Amy Carmichael says it is found in the dust at the foot of the cross.

Humility is a difficult concept to receive; yet, it is God’s plan for success. Want to be successful in 2015? Then seek to go lower. His Word cannot fail, and neither will we, if we follow it. ~ Janie Kellogg

Small footprintKey Quote: “Servanthood is integral to the gospel. Nowhere else does Jesus give us a path to greatness.”5 ~ Chris Tiegreen

For more Secret Place Secrets visit www.treasureinearthenvessels.net and follow the footprints.

1Jeremiah 33:3; 2Matthew 11:15; 3Hebrews 11:1; 4Matthew 20:26-28; 5Chris Tiegreen, The One Year At His Feet Devotional, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., January 5; 6Philippians 2:8