Strength To Turn The Page

Earlier, we covered Paul’s determination to be obedient to the Heavenly Vision and fulfill God’s purpose for His life.  There were times in Paul’s life and ministry where everything was going exceedingly well.  There were situations that were challenging.  And then there were times when it seemed everything God called Paul to do looked like it would never happen due to resistance, persecution, and even threats on his life.  What was Paul’s mindset and attitude towards this?

Philippians 4:12-13 AMP

I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] 

Acts 26:2

I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

As we see in Philippians, the Apostle Paul learned the secret of facing life no matter what each day brought.  This secret of facing life is what created Paul’s mindset and attitude concerning times where everything was going well, challenging times, resistance, persecution, and days where it looked like he might not see the next day.  This mindset helped give Paul the strength to turn the page.  In facing all these things, Paul believed He could do everything God called Him to do through the power of Christ (the Anointed One and His Anointing.)  

If we expect to fulfill the Heavenly Vision for our life and be able to say like Paul that we have finished our race, we must develop Paul’s mindset.  Let’s first deal with this mindset in the face of success, prosperity, and times where we are advancing in our calling.  When everything is going well, some are tempted to believe that they are the reason for their success.  They may begin to think that it is because of their hard work, their education, their connections, their natural ability, and their persistence that all these good things have happened to them.  Although fulfilling your call and walking out your destiny takes great natural effort and persistence on your part, you must remember that it is always the power and grace of God enabling you.  He is the One Who gave you the skill, ability, wisdom, and breath to do all that you may have done.  At every part of your life, make sure you always give God credit and praise for what He has done, is doing, and will do.

Another danger people may unexpectedly fall into is becoming complacent in their success.  They may be tempted to think that due to all that they have already accomplished, that they have done enough, and there is no reason to push forward to do greater things.  By the time Paul had written this letter to the Philippians he had already accomplished great and miraculous things through God’s ability and power.  Even though he had experienced success, he made a decision to keep pushing forward to do more for the sake of Jesus and His Church.  You must make the same decision!  It is great that you have accomplished great things and may have helped several people.  You and I both know that there is more for you to do!  Be grateful for what God has already done and believe that He will use you to do greater things in your future.

Mark 1:28-38

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

Notice what happened in the town of Capernaum.  Jesus cast out a devil and His fame spread around the whole region.  The entire city found out where He was staying and came and brought the sick and the possessed to Him; Jesus healed them and cast out the devils.  In our natural thinking, we would want to stay where we were seeing such great success and results.  The whole city is literally on his doorstep!  Yet, early in the morning, Jesus went to pray and get instructions from His Father about His next step.  Peter asked the question we are all thinking, “Why did you leave? Everyone is looking for you.”  Jesus responds with an answer of purpose, “We have to keep going.  The reason I am here is to preach in the next towns as well.”  Instead of Jesus being content with the success He had experienced in Capernaum, Jesus moved further into His purpose.  Let’s learn from the examples of Jesus and Paul and always, no matter what, move forward into our God-given destiny.

What if it seems you are stuck in place due to massive amounts of resistance?  You try with all of your might to take a step forward, but it seems that your feet weigh a ton and you are walking through a quagmire.  Or you try to advance in what God has called you to do, but it seems every time you make a step forward you are pushed three steps back.  Or you may be pressing forward and it seems all of hell is set on holding you back and you don’t know how much more you can take.  Or you could also be in a situation where you have given up; life, attacks of the enemy, and your missteps have knocked you flat on your back, you have no strength to get up, and you can hear the referee giving you your final count out.  What do you do if you are in one of those situations?  How do you still fulfill your call?

Let’s first start with the phrase from the passage from Philippians, “I can do all things which He has called me to do.”  One of the first things you need to do is make sure you are doing what God has called you to do.  It is easy to get sidetracked and do what we think we should do, what others said we should do, or even something that needs to be done.  The greatest impact you can make in this world is the impact of doing what God created you to do.  As you are doing what God has called you to do, make sure you are doing it the way He directs you to do it.

After you are sure that you are moving in the direction that God wants you to and the way He wants you to, resolve in your heart that you will fulfill your God-given destiny no matter the opposition.  The quality decision of resolving this in your heart will need to be backed up by daily decisions.  Begin to view your life and decision making through this prism, “Will this cause me to advance in my calling or will this hold me back from my destiny?”  Fulfilling your God-given destiny is a series of steps, not just major leaps.  Each decision can be a step forward or a step back; make sure that your decisions are moving you forward.    

The next phrase is “through Him Who strengthens and empowers me to fulfill His purpose.”  Everything we do for God must flow from our intimate friendship with Him.  Too many times believers get so busy doing the work of the kingdom that they forget to spend time with the King!  Notice the Scriptures below that address how our relationship with God should be.

2 Corinthians 13:14 MSG

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

Micah 6:8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

James 4:8

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

John 15:5

MSG

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. 

AMPC

I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

Ephesians 6:10 AMPC

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

One of the original reasons God created mankind was to fellowship or to have a relationship with them.  When you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you began your relationship with God.  Just because you have begun your relationship, it doesn’t mean you have a close or intimate relationship with God.  Think about it this way; you meet a person named, “Bob.”  Five years go by and someone asks you, “Have you met Bob? Do you know him?”  And you respond, “Yes. I met Bob five years ago.  I know him.”  Now, are you best friends with Bob? Of course not! You are barely acquaintances.  Sadly, that is how many people approach and live their Christianity.  They met Jesus.  They’re going to Heaven; they have fire insurance, but they haven’t really progressed in knowing God or in their relationship with Him.  God wants to have an intimate friendship with you!  God has done everything necessary for you to have a close relationship with Him, but you must respond.  

You respond to God’s invitation of friendship through your communication with Him.  This is not just prayer to start your day, but a living relationship where you are in communication with Him throughout the day.  You should have a dedicated time of prayer at the start of each day, but that should not be the only time you talk to God in your entire day.  

As you encounter different circumstances throughout the day, acknowledge God by asking Him what you should do about them.  As you inquire of Him, listen for the response in your heart.  Thank Him for His leading and continue throughout your day.  In times where you have a few free moments, take time and thank God for His goodness.  This does not have to be a loud celebratory display, but an inner display of gratitude.  As you are going to the grocery store, sitting in traffic, walking in between meetings, take time to talk with God and express your love to Him.  As you are doing these things on a regular basis, you are growing closer in your relationship with Him as James describes.  This continual process of communicating with God, hearing from Him, and applying His instructions is what Micah describes as walking with God.  

In the Bible, the word “walk” denotes, in this context, a lifestyle or what you do on a continual basis.  When the Word says that we “walk by faith” or “walk in love” it saying that we are to have a lifestyle of faith and love that is shown by actions of faith and love.  The phrase “to walk with God” means to have a relationship with God.  Since the word, “walk” is used, this shows a continual lifestyle influenced and filled with a relationship with God.  The Book of Genesis tells us that Enoch, Noah, and Abram walked with God.  From the Book of Micah and other places int he Word of God, we are given that same invitation to have an intimate friendship with Him.  As you line up your life responding to God’s invitation and walking with Him, the strength you need to go further and turn the page will be evident.  You will be able to boldly say like Paul, “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency! I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace!”  It is through our relationship with God that we are enabled to be productive for His kingdom by producing “fruit” that remains.  As Jesus told us in John 15, whatever we do apart from God will eventually end up being nothing.  If you want your life’s work to have lasting impact, it must flow from your friendship with God.  Never forget the source of your strength is your relationship with God.  If you keep that key thought in your mind, you will not be complacent in success, moved by hardship, or overcome by pressure; adopting this mentality and lifestyle will enable you to turn the page to the next great chapter in the story that God has written for you.