Anything under God's control is never out of control. ~ Charles Swindoll
When someone asks how you're doing, do you often respond, "I'm OK, considering the circumstances"?
Are you so wrapped up in what's going on around you that you forget what's going on inside you? It's easy to do, I'll admit, but there is always another way to look at things-through the eyes of Jesus. You see, Jesus defeated every possible problem or circumstance you could ever face.
When did He do that? When He faced satan on his own turf! The Bible gleefully explains that Jesus despoiled principalities and powers, [making] a show of them openly, triumphing over them (Col. 2:15). Despoiled means He devastated, ransacked, pillaged, laid waste and stripped them of their power. In Christ, we have access through faith into that same power to despoil the circumstances of our own lives. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, that the promise might be sure to all the seed... (Rom. 4:16).
Where did He do it? On the cross and into the very depths of hell. Surrounded by every demonic power and evil intention, He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities, the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole (Is. 53:5 AMPC). Jesus took every evil work into Himself-and won! Your peace, well-being, wholeness and victory over every circumstance were taken care of forever by the toughest guy in heaven and earth.
How did He do it? God transferred the punishment for every guilt, every sin, and every bad thing anyone has ever done or will ever do onto Jesus. In the Old Testament, sheep, goats, birds and other animals were the substitute sacrifices for the Israelites' sins. In the New Testament, Jesus was the scapegoat, the sacrificial Lamb. Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
If you've ever read or heard about how the English monarchy raised their royal children, you've heard of a whipping boy. A young lad was assigned as the substitute to receive any punishment that the prince deserved. In that same fashion, Jesus took the punishment that was due to mankind and satisfied Royal justice forever.
Why did He do it? To give you victory (I Cor. 15:17) and to prove that whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world (I John 5:4) Satan's goal is to make things tough so that you are too busy worrying about the outcome to be a threat to his kingdom. The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy (John 10:10). Jesus said. "I am come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly! The Amplified Classic Edition confirms that Jesus came so that you could have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
Over not Under
Jesus was never 'under the circumstances' and He doesn't want you to be there either. When Jesus appeared to His followers after His resurrection, He spoke unto them saying, "All power is given unto me in Heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore... (Matt. 28:18-19). He ended that speech by saying, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (v. 20). In other words, you have everything you need, all the blessing, power and protection to overcome every circumstance.
Consider this insight from Jesus' own lips: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33 AMPC).
Think about Abraham. God promised him a child, but he couldn't see past his own age and Sarah's barrenness. The circumstances didn't look good. After fifteen years of doubting faith and no son, God told him to quit looking at his own situation. Look toward the heavens and count the stars-if you are able to number them (Gen. 15:5). In other words, God's got more ways to turn your circumstances around that you can even count! Sure enough, Abraham and Sarah had a son; then after her death, Abraham has six more children with his second wife. Abraham got out from under his restricting circumstances by considering God's promise.
Consider Jesus...
When things get tough, we need to do what Abraham did. Paul explained that Abraham stopped considering his body and Sarah's. Instead he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God (Rom. 4:19-20). He latched onto hope. He built his faith in God's Word until he knew that he knew that he knew it would happen-and it did!
God wants you to trust Him so much that He sent Jesus to be your Advocate. Jesus is the author and the finisher of your faith. In other words, if you can find the promise (the author), you can have the result (the finished work)! Consider these words from Hebrews 3: Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him that appointed Him... as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope, firm unto the end (v. 1-2, 6).
It doesn't matter what kind of tough times you are facing or what circumstances you think you're under, Jesus has the solution. Actually, He's got more than enough of whatever you need so that, no matter what people, the world or your circumstances do, He can bring you out to rich fulfillment and bless your growth (Ps. 66:12).
Consider His Word
God gave you His divine promises so that you could grab hold of them and not let go. Then He appointed Jesus as the High Priest over your confession. If you will speak the Word and believe the Word, you can have the victory! (See Mark 11:23-24)
When things get tough, the first place to go is Psalms. Consider these verses instead of your problems: Trust in the LORD and do good; so shall thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart... Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself... (v. 3-4, 7).
God does not want you burdened with troubles, anxieties, worries and concerns. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths (Prov. 3:4-5). Faith considers the Word as final authority, declaring over every problem, "It is finished," right along with Jesus.
The companion to that verse is found in First Peter where God tells you to cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you. The Amplified Bible says God cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully (v. 5:7). When things get tough, He wants you to run to Him as a child runs to a parent. Maintain that childlike trust by placing your faith and fate in His hands, standing on His promises of victory and deliverance.
Put Your Faith to Work
"And he who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?" says the LORD (Jer. 23:28). The tares, the chaff in your life, have no power over the spoken Word of God. The wheat doesn't pay any attention to the weeds. It just grows up and becomes ripe for harvest.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Heb. 10:23). When things get tough, apply spiritual pressure to your circumstances. Consider Jesus and all He has done for you. Confess God's promises over your life. Jesus, your Advocate and the 'High Priest of your confession', will see to it that what you say becomes what you see. Consider Jesus.
When someone asks how you're doing, do you often respond, "I'm OK, considering the circumstances"?
Are you so wrapped up in what's going on around you that you forget what's going on inside you? It's easy to do, I'll admit, but there is always another way to look at things-through the eyes of Jesus. You see, Jesus defeated every possible problem or circumstance you could ever face.
When did He do that? When He faced satan on his own turf! The Bible gleefully explains that Jesus despoiled principalities and powers, [making] a show of them openly, triumphing over them (Col. 2:15). Despoiled means He devastated, ransacked, pillaged, laid waste and stripped them of their power. In Christ, we have access through faith into that same power to despoil the circumstances of our own lives. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, that the promise might be sure to all the seed... (Rom. 4:16).
Where did He do it? On the cross and into the very depths of hell. Surrounded by every demonic power and evil intention, He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities, the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole (Is. 53:5 AMPC). Jesus took every evil work into Himself-and won! Your peace, well-being, wholeness and victory over every circumstance were taken care of forever by the toughest guy in heaven and earth.
How did He do it? God transferred the punishment for every guilt, every sin, and every bad thing anyone has ever done or will ever do onto Jesus. In the Old Testament, sheep, goats, birds and other animals were the substitute sacrifices for the Israelites' sins. In the New Testament, Jesus was the scapegoat, the sacrificial Lamb. Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
If you've ever read or heard about how the English monarchy raised their royal children, you've heard of a whipping boy. A young lad was assigned as the substitute to receive any punishment that the prince deserved. In that same fashion, Jesus took the punishment that was due to mankind and satisfied Royal justice forever.
Why did He do it? To give you victory (I Cor. 15:17) and to prove that whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world (I John 5:4) Satan's goal is to make things tough so that you are too busy worrying about the outcome to be a threat to his kingdom. The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy (John 10:10). Jesus said. "I am come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly! The Amplified Classic Edition confirms that Jesus came so that you could have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
Over not Under
Jesus was never 'under the circumstances' and He doesn't want you to be there either. When Jesus appeared to His followers after His resurrection, He spoke unto them saying, "All power is given unto me in Heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore... (Matt. 28:18-19). He ended that speech by saying, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (v. 20). In other words, you have everything you need, all the blessing, power and protection to overcome every circumstance.
Consider this insight from Jesus' own lips: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33 AMPC).
Think about Abraham. God promised him a child, but he couldn't see past his own age and Sarah's barrenness. The circumstances didn't look good. After fifteen years of doubting faith and no son, God told him to quit looking at his own situation. Look toward the heavens and count the stars-if you are able to number them (Gen. 15:5). In other words, God's got more ways to turn your circumstances around that you can even count! Sure enough, Abraham and Sarah had a son; then after her death, Abraham has six more children with his second wife. Abraham got out from under his restricting circumstances by considering God's promise.
Consider Jesus...
When things get tough, we need to do what Abraham did. Paul explained that Abraham stopped considering his body and Sarah's. Instead he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God (Rom. 4:19-20). He latched onto hope. He built his faith in God's Word until he knew that he knew that he knew it would happen-and it did!
God wants you to trust Him so much that He sent Jesus to be your Advocate. Jesus is the author and the finisher of your faith. In other words, if you can find the promise (the author), you can have the result (the finished work)! Consider these words from Hebrews 3: Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him that appointed Him... as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope, firm unto the end (v. 1-2, 6).
It doesn't matter what kind of tough times you are facing or what circumstances you think you're under, Jesus has the solution. Actually, He's got more than enough of whatever you need so that, no matter what people, the world or your circumstances do, He can bring you out to rich fulfillment and bless your growth (Ps. 66:12).
Consider His Word
God gave you His divine promises so that you could grab hold of them and not let go. Then He appointed Jesus as the High Priest over your confession. If you will speak the Word and believe the Word, you can have the victory! (See Mark 11:23-24)
When things get tough, the first place to go is Psalms. Consider these verses instead of your problems: Trust in the LORD and do good; so shall thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart... Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself... (v. 3-4, 7).
God does not want you burdened with troubles, anxieties, worries and concerns. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths (Prov. 3:4-5). Faith considers the Word as final authority, declaring over every problem, "It is finished," right along with Jesus.
The companion to that verse is found in First Peter where God tells you to cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you. The Amplified Bible says God cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully (v. 5:7). When things get tough, He wants you to run to Him as a child runs to a parent. Maintain that childlike trust by placing your faith and fate in His hands, standing on His promises of victory and deliverance.
Put Your Faith to Work
"And he who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?" says the LORD (Jer. 23:28). The tares, the chaff in your life, have no power over the spoken Word of God. The wheat doesn't pay any attention to the weeds. It just grows up and becomes ripe for harvest.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Heb. 10:23). When things get tough, apply spiritual pressure to your circumstances. Consider Jesus and all He has done for you. Confess God's promises over your life. Jesus, your Advocate and the 'High Priest of your confession', will see to it that what you say becomes what you see. Consider Jesus.
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