January 2018
Happy New Year! I pray that you will have a wonderful new year of visions, dreams, friends, creations and divine manifestations. I’m looking forward to hearing from you to see what our future holds in ministry around the world.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 1
Shaken By Christ…
A twenty-eight-year-old brother in Christ named D.J. recently wrote, saying,
“You don’t know me personally; I’m just a random brother from Nebraska. Years ago, I found myself reading about Charles Manson, the crimes committed by the “Manson Family”, and you. As much as I was shaken by the crimes committed and the details surrounding it, nothing shoo me as much as the forgiveness God offers you and me through Christ.
“I stumbled across the video of your testimony and the heavenly reconciliation between you and Susan LaBerge. It hit me like a ton of bricks… that’s Christ’s intervention. Forgiveness can make a city on a hill visible across the globe. Your testimony is miraculous.
“I read some materials on your website today. I was led there after seeing the news that Manson died. It had my heart stirring and reminded me of you. I read “Why the Crimes?” on you site, and as I was reading, God reminded me of the capability of my heart. I see some similarities in our personalities, and Christ is the only One that separates us from evil and demonic oppression.
“I just wanted to encourage you on a day where your heart is undoubtedly stirring too. I prayed for you Charles and will continue to do so. I thought you’d like to know how your testimony, and God’s work in you has affected a random twenty-eight-year-old from Nebraska. I don’t know if you’ll be able, but feel free to wrote back any time. Blessings, D.J., NE.”
What a Blessing…
Of course, I wrote D.J. back immediately, and later wrote asking if I could us his response to bless you. I am humbled how God used this site as a result of Manson’s death in November to reach out to 124 countries. The Lord led me to the following Scripture during Sunday’s worship service:
“In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.” 2
Like brother D.J. said, it’s “God’s work” in us, we simply respond to God’s great glory at the cross through the finished work of Christ. I recall from childhood the words to an old hymn, “It was there [at the cross] by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day.”
All Day Long…
I’m around folks daily, who simply need to respond to what Christ did to secure their salvation two thousand years ago. Salvation isn’t something we’re asking God to do for us and others, but rather what He has already done. The same is true for healing. You’ve already got it, so receive it by faith. With the apostle Paul,
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” 3
What an eye opener when we realize that salvation has already been provided, and God awaits our response to His provision. This is called a “paradigm shift” in our understanding, which makes all the difference in the world in our Christian walk. Faith only appropriates what God has already provided by grace!
Boasting in God…
I boast in God all the day long, because of His great salvation, which means rejoicing in our deliverance, healing, provision, liberty, wholeness, rescue and so much more. All abundance is available to those who know and believe in His gift of salvation, because God is love.
“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 4
As we boast in God during this new year, we’ll see those around us open up to salvation. They will see His love manifested in us as they hear us confess the saving power of Christ. Be ready to share the simple Gospel message! The psalmist David proclaimed,
“My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.” 5
Sadly, many of us are fearful and therefore don’t boast in God. Remember, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear…” 6 The more God’s perfect love is magnified in us for our salvation at Calvary, the more we will boast in Him! Amen.
A Prayer for You…
Heavenly Father, I thank You for those You have led to this site. May they find a desire in their hearts to bask in Your love as revealed in You Word, so they’ll be equipped to boast in You during 2018.
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” 7
Scripture References:
1) 2 Cor. 5:17, NLT
2) Psa. 44:8, KJV
3) Eph. 1:18, NLT
4) 1 Jn. 4:16, NKJV
5) Psa. 34:2, KJV
6) 1 Jn. 4:18a, KJV
7) Eph. 3:17-19, NKJV