News from Potter's Wheel Ministries

There is a sense of helplessness that most feel when they are experiencing are expecting something bad to happen in their life. As a matter of fact it can fill the heart with such dread that many will just try and figure out a way that they can bear it when it arrives into their life. People will often prepare themselves to deal with the soon expected damage much like those who board up their houses and nail everything they can down before a hurricane hits land. They do this in order to limit as much damage as they can from happening to their possessions. Even the Bible tells us that there are seasons that cannot be avoided, right?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

We have learned through living in this world that things happen in life that cannot be avoided and therefore, we neglect exercising ourselves in some very basic truths that are written in the Word of God for our benefit. What are these that I am referring to? Well first let's consider a few things before we launch deeper into this subject today. First off, man received the Law of Moses from God; which if it was kept entirely then that man would be perfect and in complete right standing with God on his own merit. However, that was never achieved by a single man until Jesus entered the realm of this planet and obeyed the letter of the Law without fault. What the law of Moses essentially showed or revealed, is that man was guilty of the whole Law because he could not keep it perfectly; and he couldn't pass the blame onto his great great grandfather Adam. He was guilty by his own doing! Therefore, man was to be held accountable for his own transgressions for breaking God's Law. Because God is just, there was no way that He could look the other way concerning our willful and deliberate sinning. So, the Law revealed that we deserve death for our continual pursuance to sin against God and man, thus breaking His Law. Fortunately for man, God loved him so much He was willing to give something of enormous value that would allow and satisfy a just God to pardon man of his sin once and for all. That gift obviously, was His only begotten Son, Jesus. The price would be very expensive because it would require the death of innocent blood in exchange for the guilty. Who in all the universe would invest in such an incredibly bad deal like that? Thanks be to God; He would!

So, what this shows you and me today is that the Word of God in the Old Testament spoke specifically of things that God declared for that dispensation of time [not useless and to be ignored as unimportant, but rather an example for you and me]; and it also speaks of things that would soon come or be fulfilled [the coming of the Messiah for example] in the New Covenant, or dispensation of time in the last days. Such things like, the Law of Moses that was fulfilled by Jesus when He came to this world and lived it perfectly; ended one part within the Bible, only to release a new future for those in Christ. Because He did this, He was able to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world; and the Father who can only be just, had a legal judicial ruling that could pardon Him from having to destroying us for our sins based on the Law that He gave. In other words, the Bible speaks of the Law, [which many religious circles try to uphold unsuccessfully], yet, it was completely accomplished in one man, the Son of God! Therefore, it's recorded in the Bible within this dispensation that the letter kills [which speaks of the Law], but the Spirit [belief in Christ] gives life. Nothing is ever done away within the Bible; only the fulfillment of those divine Words. In addition, as the New Testament declares the fulfillment of many prophecies of that Old dispensation that spoke at that time; likewise we are transformed from one nature [old] unto another that is more adaptable to our new nature as men and women in Christ.

As we read above in Ecclesiastes, it becomes very easy to align our thoughts with the natural processes of seasons and events of life to the point we just accept them as they come. And certainly with much more resolve, since the Scriptures speak as such in these passages we just read from the Bible. Yet, we must never forget that old things have past away and all things have become new for those in Christ. There is an Old dispensation that operates under the limits and restraints of its declared order. Much more importantly, the New dispensation in Jesus Christ affords us to act in the full nature that Christ did as God's holy Son. The work of Jesus on Calvary solidified us that believe on Him as God's righteous children. Jesus said we would do the same works that He did, and even greater. Jesus was not limited to seasons or situations that had once ruled under the old order of things. Faith in God would enable a person who believed the Word's of Christ to change his seasons and situations and work the works of God. I believe personally, that season's are more truly the mindset of a person based on how he interprets what he is going through. If that person should renew their thought life to the Word of God then their perspective will change dramatically.

I will give a few examples, as I know there are many that are simply locked into the idea that we have to accept life as it comes with all of its pain and misery. Remember, it was God in His divine nature [which by the way, He said we were made in His image and likeness] called forth things that were not as though they were. Again, the Scriptures tell us to lay hands on the sick and heal them. Have you ever considered that to do this you would be demonstrating the very thing that God did? Speaking to a sick body and telling it to be whole equates to calling things forth that do not exist! And consider this: most praying is speaking something divine to come forth and change what happens to be in existence at present. Yet, we as believers can do this because the Word of God under this dispensation through Christ and His authority that is delegated to us are commanded to do so.

Another observation considering the old verses the new: is how God said His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts like our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Yet, in the New Testament we find a new realm where faith in us can put on the same mind of Christ who thought it not robbery to be equal with God (Philippians 2:5). Jesus was always in full control of His circumstances at any moment; and even when it didn't look like He was, it is simply because He trusted His Father's wisdom to go through things as unconventional as it may have seemed to human thought would better serve the purposes of God. Our Father is able to do anything and nothing is impossible for Him. Again, we are told to be ready in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). In other words, as a Christian we don't limit ourselves to seasons we can change them with the Word of God! I realize there are many that have a store house of negative results from unbelief that argue this point that we are making in this devotional. Unfortunately, God's people have always suffered under the deceptions that the enemy uses to keep us under the old order of living life. The Bible tells us that truth will make a person free. Well, I believe the truth of His Word did cancel the deceitfulness of the devil, and His lies no longer have to keep us blinded to the truth. Let's contrast this with another passage of Scripture.

2 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

As you might conclude from this passage above, it seems like we just proved that we are wrong about our assessment that we are making from the Scriptures of not having to accept troubles in life. Yet, if you look at this with insightful eyes you will notice that troubles work around us due to our acquaintances and associates in life who do not serve God, or our very own disobedience to the Word of God. These are people who live for themselves; and because they do, it brings hardship and difficulty to us and others we know. Life can feel like seasons because of what others do around us; or by the rebellion in our own heart that refuses to follow faithfully in the Word. On the contrary, we do not have to be affected in such a way that we let our circumstances control us and how we may feel. The hardships that Jesus went through because of His friends and acquaintances while here on the earth did not change or alter the reason for Him being here. Scriptures tell us that He endured the difficulty of the cross and all that it represented for the joy He kept in mind about reconciling you and me to the Father (Hebrews 12:2). In other words, His troubles for the moment would unfold to be a blessing for many which was the focus He kept, so as not to cave in under the pressures. Jesus' life did not vacillate from season to season based on what was happening at the moment. He was always content and alert to His place and calling in God and its mission. He did only what He heard the Father speak; and did nothing accept what He saw the Father doing.

Can I point out something very important here before we close? God's Word when believed on with all your heart, will enable you to do all things through Christ which strengthens you. When weakness attacks the mind, you need to immediately establish the truth: Greater is He that is in you, then he that is in the world! There may be crying through the midnight hour, but joy comes in the morning. We serve a God that promised to deliver us out of all our destruction. Our Father said that He would make our adversary repay us seven times for whatever he stole from us. Our Father has sent His Word [Jesus] to heal us and deliver us. When Jesus hung on the cross as an innocent man who was guiltless for doing anything wrong towards man or God, and had died; He forever sealed an opportunity for man to enter into the realm of the supernatural as God's children. The Word of God is supernaturally empowered to change things irregardless of how permanent history has declared it can't be changed.

People who tend to live here in this life and love it for all they can get for themselves; somehow forget how quickly life comes and goes, and never consider their steps as they go through life. We however, being the children of those wise in God our King, should live life based on: that this day we have right now is our last day here on earth, so we will be more earnest to live it according to the purposes of our God; rather than the way man blindly lives as though he had no end.

Psalms 90:12 (KJV)
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalms 39:4 (KJV)
4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

When we live life with our Father's purposes in mind there will be a constant flow of virtue and anointing to break out beyond the natural barriers that so many are limited to. In other words, you will speak healing to the sick and they will recover. You will speak God's Words with authority, and signs and wonders will follow. When the Father's purposes are dear to your heart you will heal the deaf, blind and cast out demons from those who have been tormented by them. When debt needs to be paid, you can gather it from a fishes mouth. When great provisions are necessary for feeding the multitudes: a boys sack lunch will do. Should the enemy appear to have stolen something of great price God has promised to make him repay it with bankrupting interest. In other words, you can become too expensive for the devil to mess with on a regular basis when you live as an obedient child of God, and therefore, he will look to visit at a later time more convenient to see if you still know who you are in Christ. Each time that the devil comes to see where you are mentally, if he finds you strong in the Lord, he will have no place or access in you (John 14:30). The devil will flee!

Jesus purchased the victory for everyone who will believe it and pursue it. For all of us who have been captives, and yet have now been set free by the blood of the Lamb; live unto Christ, who purchased you by His own blood, that He might sanctify you wholly and give you all things. Let Jesus Christ be your permanent stronghold, and remain a prisoner of hope: that in all things that you hope for, they shall work to the good of those who love God and are called for His purposes. We have a [Zoe] life in us that knows no restraints or limits. Get out of the troubles, circumstances, situations and any other season that does not have the authority to dictate to the divine nature of God that you are born of. When you choose to do so; there is a double portion for all your trouble!

Zechariah 9:12 (KJV)
12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;