Lively N253

Monday, October 22, 2007

Matthew 11:12

"And from the days of John the baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12
Hi guys,
I'm sure this verse, or rather, the phrase have been familiar to you. You probably have heard it from the pulpit, or from Cat, but have you ever wonder how can it be apply in your life? Well, let me have the honor to share a little of what God has been speaking to me and who knows? You might have a new perspective of this verse and you'll be blessed by it. So... Here I go...
First off, we know that God Himself is a God of war. Just google it or spend some time reading your bible and you'll find plenty of verses supporting it. A Lord of host means He is the Lord over an army. So, God Himself ain't against violence. And before you stone me to death, let me explain. Violence isn't simply just about physical force. It can mean as of a feeling. A feeling of violence. A language of violence. So the question is, "ain't heaven suppose to be a place without tears? How can it suffer from violence?". Well, the violence Jesus was talking about here is the feeling. The feeling of the older prophets, the older judges, the older kings who gave their life to expand the kingdom of God. And Jesus was in fact talking about John the baptist himself as being a violent man in the kingdom of God. The are violence to their dreams, passionate to their visions. They won't stop until they finish their race. They won't quit until they see what God had wanted to establish was established. The kingdom of God must be built on man and woman who are violence about the vision of God. We can never be so "mature", "holy" to see the footprints of satan and to remain calm about it. You see the footprints everyday. Terminal diseases, families broken, marriages ruined, children forsaken, hungers, debts, suicides, rapes, murders, drugs abused. How violence are we going to come against satan and his gang? How violence are we going to pray against the principalities of the dark? Can you remain calm? I can't.
Okay, let's bring this closer to home. Are your dreams vanishing? Are your goals seems to be more difficult to achieve? Are your visions blurring up? Friends, let's be encouraged today. Jesus is waiting for you. The angels are waiting for your call. At your prayer, at your call, they'll spin into action and they'll conquer lands for you. What dreams do you have? What visions do you see? A better family? Better relationships with people? Better financial strength? Closer union with God? I don't know. Whatever it is, you know it best yourself what do you really really want. Ask yourself, what is the one thing you will do if you know you won't fail? Go try it! Pray about it! The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much! Do not let the year end the same way it ended the last time it did. Do something different! Fight for your dreams. Live for your God-given visions. Remember this, Jesus said:"and the violent shall take it by force."

12:57 AM ♥