I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see (Revelation 3:18).
“I want to buy gold, garments, and eye salve.”
“OK. Good… You don’t know what you’re asking, and things will get rough, but I’ll see you through as long as you don’t quit. I’ve got plenty of gold, garments, and eye salve for those who go the distance.”
“All right. I believe You. I’m in. How do we get started?”
“Psalm 1:2-3 is a good place to start. Meditate in My Word day and night, and you’ll become a Tree of Life to your people.”
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD,
And on His Law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Ps. 1:2-3
“That sounds boring. I don’t like being bored.”
“It’s not boring. Believe me. Hahaha. You’ll have many challenges, but one will not be boredom. Hahaha. I call it ‘Abundant Life.’ And since you said you’re in, I started the ‘Refining Fire.’ Hang on to your hat because it’s going to be a wild ride!”
Encouragement Along the Way
May 1, 2013. A senior Christian with a prophetic gift wrote, “…I felt God tell me, ‘This is going to be quite a ride. Hang on to your hat. There is a train full of blessings coming for you. God is going to take you to a whole different level of ministry and influence.’”
October 13, 2023 – a dream in the night – “…I didn’t know how we could keep going. Then I saw the boat was planing on the back upright piece at a high speed. We were all holding on for dear life, and it felt like my hands were slipping. I heard a voice saying, “Just hang on. That is your part. Hang on for the ride.” Then I woke up.
I have been on a wild ride since I first told God, “No matter what. I’m in. I’ll trust you to get me through” in Eagle Plains, Yukon, in 1984. These last ten years, since June 2023, have been at a whole different level, and I am so extremely grateful for all of it.
Lessons Learned
1. Servant Leadership
Learn how to serve and lead at the same time. Don’t dominate those entrusted to you, but don’t willingly be dominated by them either. A narrow trail exists between those two slippery slopes. A juxtaposition. Do what you can to stay on that trail. (1 Peter 5:3, Matt. 20:24-28).
2. Don’t quit.
Paul is a great example.
And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death (Acts 9:29). What?!
The whole city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. While they were intent on killing him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. He immediately took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered that he be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done….
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I say something to you?”…
Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people” (Acts 21:30-39). What?!
And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF” (Luke 10:27).
Paul understood how to (1) remain true to his convictions AND (2) stay close to his people.
Paul’s Secret
- Paul voiced his conviction when things were out of sync.
- Paul was not afraid his leaders or anyone else would frown at him.
- Paul examined his motives and directions from God and then acted.
- Paul challenged those who questioned his motives.
- Paul did not wait for permission.
When the system overpowered Paul legally, culturally, or physically, Paul did not whine and complain about being a victim. He did most influential work with a good attitude while falsely accused and in jail.
A Lesson from Paul
Go until you get physically or legally overpowered. When that happens, you’re into the paydirt, where you get the gold available on the other side of the refining fire. Hunker down and write stuff that will last for the next 2,000 years. We do not fear the end times because we are fully engaged in completing Jesus’ mission. God has work to do through us. He is counting on us.
Your thoughts?
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