Biblical Confessions

I thoroughly enjoyed Steve Sampson ministering in our services last weekend. Along with specific words of knowledge Steve spoke a powerful word to our entire congregation about our identity and influence in God. The enemy is out to destroy our identity and influence and the Holy Spirit is there to increase our understanding of both. We need to stop believing what the enemy, the world, and everybody else says about us and believe God. Sometimes we are our own worst critics. We put ourselves down and sabotage our influence. What God says about us is true! I like what Steve Sampson always say, “God thinks He’s right.” And He is!

Take time this week to declare these biblical confessions. Stand on His word and let the Holy Spirit increase the understanding of your identity and influence.

• I am a child of God (1 John 3:2)
  
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
  
• The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
  
• I have the peace of God (Philippians 4:11)
  
• I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
  
• My tongue is God’s property (James 3:2)
  
• I speak with authority (Luke 10:19)
  
• I love the Word of God (Psalm 119:162)
  
• God will supply all of my needs (Philippians 4:19)
  
• I walk by the Spirit ( Galatians 5:16)
  
• I have the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
  
• I am free from fear and worry ( 1 Peter 5:7)
  
• I am a joint-heir with Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:6)
  
• I am the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  
• God loves me (John 15:9)
  
• I am a new creation - a new person altogether in Christ Jesus. Old things have passed away; all things have become fresh and new! ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Jehovah Shalom

So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace.
Judges 6:24a

For to us a child is born… And he will be called… Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

This has been a difficult week for our nation. As if we needed a reminder, the Virginia Tech Massacre has reminded us that we live in a fallen and evil world. It seems as though the more our questions about this tragedy are answered, deeper questions about the human condition arise. There is unrest in our souls as we ponder the tragedies of this life.

One of the names for God in the Bible is Jehovah Shalom, The Lord is peace. Peace is an attribute of God. In the uproar of our world God remains steady and calm. Don’t think this means God is aloof and indifferent to our plight. The Bible teaches us that God grieves, gets angry, is afflicted, feels our sorrow, but none of these things disturb His steady peace. When this world blows up, God is steady, undisturbed. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the Rock.

It is easy to have peace when things are good in our lives. But storms do come. God offers a peace that passes understanding. When there is no reason to have peace, we can have peace in God because He is Jehovah Shalom. He is our rock in the shifting sands of life. When God rules our lives, His Prince of Peace, who lives in us, gives us a peace that passes understanding. Pray for that peace in your life and share it with those around you. Today, as we worship, celebrate our Jehovah Shalom who is our steady peace no matter what we are going through.

Ascension Convention Continues On...

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13

We are week past the Ascension Convention and good reports of what God did in the lives of students continue to come in from across the country. God touched the lives of thousands of students. I listened this past Wednesday night as our students from Christian Life shared their testimonies of what God. It was awesome! Keep our young people in your prayers as God continues His work in their lives.

What amazed me was the response of the young people during each service. No matter the speaker, no matter the topic, students responded each and every time a call was given. Whether for salvation, consecration, overcoming addictions, suicidal thoughts, etc. students came forward desiring God to change their hearts and lives. Powerful ministry took place around a makeshift altar at the O’Hare Hyatt Grand Ballroom.

This response at the Ascension Convention reveals two things. First, young people around the country are hungry for God’s power and work in their lives. They desire a real and lasting work… a true life changing work. Simply stated, young people are open to God. Second, seeing young people respond at the altar for things such as suicide and addictions reveals the satan’s plan to destroy this generation.

Our response must be prayer! There is a spiritual war going on for the lives of our young people. We need to pray that the revival fires continue to burn in their lives. We must also pray that God protects them from the schemes of the enemy. Let’s stand strong in prayer for our young people so that the next generation of the church is stronger than it than it has ever been before.