Whether your it is a little problem or a big one, the proclamation of Jesus, “It is finished!” gives you the power you need to move out of this prison and into the open space of grace.
Like a blank check, Jesus gave us, “It is finished!” His words have the power to put an end to anything that is an obstacle to your best self.
When He said, “It is finished!” He knew it would be specific and unique to every person on the planet. To identify your own, it that may be causing issues, try asking yourself these questions:
We felt certain that we could justify anger when it came to certain evils in the world. When we checked the Sacred Text, we found proof that anger can sometimes be appropriate; perhaps even righteous.
Jesus went into the Temple. He threw out all the people who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables that belonged to the men who were exchanging different kinds of money. And he upset the benches of those who were selling doves. Jesus said to all the people there, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘My Temple will be a house where people will pray.’ But you are changing God’s house into a ‘den of thieves.’ Matthew 21:12-17
So, after reviewing some of Jesus’ moments of fury, we concluded that there may, in fact, be times when anger would be an entirely appropriate reaction.
His reaction was more than simply a display of righteous indignation. It was a display of self-restraint. The Son of God, with an army of angels at His disposal, simply flipped over a few tables and ran people out of the temple. He could have whistled for an asteroid to hit the coordinates where they stood. He could have summoned a flesh-eating bacterium to consume them or an earthquake that would bury them beneath tons of rubble. He could have destroyed them in a million different ways, but he chose rather to use words, with a controlled show of force for emphasis.
We came to understand that when Jesus was angry, His methods were measured and restrained.
The Lord cares deeply about you. He surrounds you with compassion when you are going through times of discouragement and exhaustion.
Although these experiences may feel like endless nights of the soul, you rest assured that morning will come. You know that when the light breaks through the darkness, and you have had some rest, you will see things clearly once again.
God sees that some of the things you go through are difficult. He is there to help you endure the darkness. He keeps you safe when the shadows fall and brings you through the lonely nights. As the darkness passes, your soul is refreshed by the dawn of a new day.
Knowing that God has designed nature with the assurance of a sunrise, you rest assured that after the darkness passes, the light of a new day will drive it away.
Assured that the Creator of the universe is interested in your emotional well-being and is willing to listen as your pour out your heart, you are able to move through the stages of melancholy with calm acceptance. You know that God keeps you protected in the darkness and it will always pass.
Leveling up means we are advancing in position, power, purpose, and experience. We are being promoted.
God is powerful and purposeful. All authority has been given to Jesus who is exalted over all things. He has bequeathed this status to us. However, He does not empower us just to make us powerful. He empowers us so we can be effective in taking care of each other and accomplishing His goals in this world.
The Christian faith assures us of eternity in Heaven at the end of our human experience. Most believe that our religious traditions and practices cause us to become better people. We believe we can find comfort, peace, and purpose through spiritual enlightenment. We trust in the comfort of our Creator as we encounter the difficulties of life. These beliefs serve as the pillars of our faith.
However, as we level up, we find ourselves not only looking inward at what God is doing in our own lives, but we are also looking outward to see what He is up to in the world around us. We notice a distinct sensitivity toward spiritual vibrations and are intrigued about what role God might want us to play in the grand scheme of His design. We stop focusing on our own performance and begin asking God, “What are you up to right now, and how can I help?”
Joshua 1:6 So be strong and courageous, for you will lead these people.
While it is true that there is strength in numbers, there is another type of strength which is required when you must stand alone.
Your path is not always the one of least resistance. You are often led across barren deserts and through dense forests. These are times that try your soul and require strength beyond any human support system.
These are the times when you must strengthen yourself in order to accomplish the assignments God has ordained for you.
Personal and spiritual strength come from daily diligence. You have dedicated yourself to a spiritual workout each day, in order to be strengthened for the journey ahead.
What does your birthday reveal about your spiritual gifts, character, and calling?
This unique devotional uses your birth month and day to guide you through key passages of scripture, using the chapter and verse numbers that match your special day.
What’s inside:
Ancient verses matched to your birthday
month=chapter, day=verse
Reflections on your personality, strengths, and values
Encouragement and inspiration for your walk with the Divine
A powerful tool for self-discovery and growth.
Perfect as a Christmas gift, Birthday gift, personal devotional, or keepsake.
Hebrews 12:12 So take a new grip with your tired hands. Stand firm on your shaky legs.
While it is true that there is strength in numbers, there is another type of strength which is required when you must stand alone.
Your path is not always the one of least resistance. You are often led across barren deserts and through dense forests. These are times which try your soul and require strength beyond a human support system.
These are the times when you must force yourself to fulfill your duties, even when you feel too tired or too weak for the task at hand. You do what is required, relying on the power of the Spirit to keep you strong and steady.
Ecclesiastes 12:10
The teacher looked for just the right words. He wrote teachings that are dependable and true.
You are a gifted teacher. You are able to transform thoughts and ideas into clear, concise phrases which are easy to understand. This makes you an amazing communicator.
Whether you are aware of it or not, there are many people who learn from you.
Not only do you excel at conveying facts and ideas, but you are also willing to take the extra time to patiently explain what they mean. You are great at problem-solving, organization, and thinking outside the box. Your mind is active and alert to the world around you.
With an open mind and a willing spirit, you seek fresh insight when solving difficult problems. Sometimes the solution comes as a sudden divine download, while other times, a fellow problem solver joins you in collaboration efforts.
Many of your teaching moments come in ordinary daily events, so the practical application of your guidance becomes easily incorporated into the everyday lives of those who learn from you.
You are both humbled and honored by this daunting task assigned to you by the Great Teacher.
You remain open to new learning opportunities. You enjoy doing the research and never fail to finish an assignment.
Proverbs 12:3 Doing evil brings a person no safety at all. But a good person has safety and security.
The Spirit of God’s goodness resides within you and around you. This creates a protective force-field of safety and security.
As you encounter the icy chill of societal norms, that applaud greed, aggression, and ego, you are warmed from within by the Spirit’s flame.
Like a crackling fire on a cold winter night, the presence of divine light permeates the atmosphere and brings comfort.
Your soul is at rest and your mind is at peace because you know the power of your position in the universe.
Since God is on your side, and has promised to defend you, there is no need to defend yourself. You have an army of angels on standby, ready to assist as you stand your ground.
You know that the forces of darkness cannot take what is yours. God has given you a divine destiny and therefore, you live in safety, knowing that your future is protected.
Along the way, you may encounter opposition in the forms of sabotage, jealousy, or misunderstanding.
Some of these battles are critical and require the strategic planning of you and your Creator. Yet other battles are not worthy of your time or attention. You refuse to be drawn into petty disputes because they waste time and slow you down.
The Divine Spirit gives you the unique ability to maneuver safely through confrontation and conflict without losing ground or losing your peace.
You play a vital role in the next great awakening. You have been given gifts and talents to lay the groundwork for God to reveal new insights and unleash greater power on His people.
You have been chosen by the Creator of the Universe for specific assignments that will change the course of history. You have a divine destiny which is protected and promoted by the Commander of Angel Armies. Nothing can harm you. No one can stop you. Your steps have been ordered by the Lord and nothing can stand in your way.
Finding Total Recovery in the Words of Christ, "It is Finished!" 