Tag Holy Spirit

Columbus Day, a Voyage of Discovery

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”
A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:8-10 (NKJV)

In the year 1492 Columbus set sail on a voyage of discovery. Being an accomplished mariner he had sailed the Mediterranean and traveled to parts of Africa, to Ireland, and probably even to Iceland. He boasted later in life, “I have gone to every place that has heretofore been navigated.” He knew the Atlantic as well or better than anyone, and he probably knew more about how to read currents, winds, and surfaces of the sea than do sailors today. Driven by what he described “a hand that could be felt, the Lord opened my mind to the fact that it would be possible … and he opened my will to desire to accomplish that project.… The Lord purposed that there should be something miraculous in this matter of the voyage to the Indies.”

Part discoverer and part missionary Columbus never gave up on his internal quest to seek that which others said could not be found. His was a journey of discovery. With a burning desire to fulfill what he felt was God’s purpose for his life, he tirelessly lobbied the courts of Spain for nearly seven years to be granted permission to set sail for the Indies. Finally permission was granted and the rest as they say is history. A devote Catholic Cristóbal Colón sailed the high seas, driven by the wind and an inner strength, to discover a new land.

We, like Christopher Columbus can also set sail on the winds of the Holy Spirit to find that inner strength that can only be found in our discovery of Christ. As we start this week let us set sail for new discoveries to the riches of God found hidden between the covers of His inspired word. If you feel you have sailed over the same seas many times and there remains nothing new to discover I want to challenge you to open up your heart and allow the Lord to burn a new hope within you. Allow the Lord to give you a new vision of a greater place, a greater purpose, a new insight in His word.

Perhaps like Columbus you too have been discouraged many times as you set sail on life’s seas to fulfill the Lord’s purpose for your life. Do not give up! For like Columbus himself said, “If it strikes often enough, a drop of water can wear a hole in a stone.” Although at times the wind may be blowing against you, do not give up. If the seas of life get tempest tossed, do not give up. If those closest to you rise up against you, do not give up. Although you may not be able to see the shore line do not give up hope because the Lord promises to be with you, to never leave you nor forsake you. You are not alone. If you are on a journey of discovery with God, you too shall find a safe haven in the midst of life’s storms. If you continue to seek the Lord with all your heart, mind, body and strength, then you too will discover new places in God. You too will find a new land.

Columbus knew in his heart it could be done, Abraham believed God to be faithful, both set out to discover a new place, a new land; they sought the fulfillment of hope. Neither were disappointed. Neither will you be if you put your hope in God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Prov 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Like Columbus and Abraham and you too can sail into the unknown holding onto the hand of God. If you but trust Him, He will never leave you comfortless. He is your hope, He is your destiny, He desires for you to discover the riches of God through Christ Jesus.

Here’s to your journey of discovery! Ship Ahoy!

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)


Behind the Scenes: All Access Pass

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

 

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”
A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

“…[W]e have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.” (Hebrews 10:19-20, NIV)

 

I used to be on the stage crew of my local high school. The stage crew was responsible for all the behind the scenes events that took place. The actors and performers on stage where dependent upon what went on behind the scenes. Movies, plays, music events, television shows, news broadcasts, TV preachers. All these people are dependent on what goes on behind the scenes. The things you can not see makes what you can see look better if done right.

The important things about those who work behind the scenes is to do the job in such a way as to not be noticed. In fact many times we were required to wear dark clothing so that we could move about the stage unseen when the lights were dimmed. Sneaking around behind the curtain was a talent we all learned early in our training. Using the catwalks and sky walks above and behind the stage were our way of getting around from place to place without anyone noticing. We were like mice in the rafters moving about sight unseen.

To this day I enjoy knowing how things are done. I want to know how they do that? I like those television shows that show you how it is done. In fact I really like those ‘making of’ features on DVD’s that show how the different stunts and effects in the movie were done.

On certain days the ‘Millennium Theater’ in Lancaster, PA has a behind the scenes tour of the current play they are presenting. During these behind the scenes tours you are taken behind the curtain to see the drama backstage. All the props and make-up and special effects are shown from an entirely new perspective, that of the insider, the crew who put it all together.

Jesus gave us a way to go behind the scenes when he died on the cross. Now we have an ‘all access pass to heaven’ through the blood of Jesus Christ and we can “see behind the curtain”. We can watch the drama unfold from an insiders’ view. We are now permitted to venture behind the scenes as God works out his program on earth’s stage. We are part of the stage crew working together with Jesus and the Holy Spirit to bring to life the kingdom of heaven.


One of the things Jesus did for us on the cross, was to open our access to God’s presence. Have you considered the significance of the tearing of the veil in the temple when Jesus was on the cross (Matt. 27:51)? What once was forbidden has now been made available!


Now we can look behind the scenes into the very throne room of God himself and fellowship directly with the Father because of Jesus’ death on the cross. The curtain has now been lifted.

We now have an all access pass into the holy of holies seven days a week 365 days a year.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)


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10 Signs you Need a Faith Lift

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

  1. When genuine joy is dependent on the state of your circumstances.
  2. When you begin to lose the distinct aroma of the fragrance of Christ in your life.
  3. When you begin to feel or act as if self-worth and acceptance is dependent on how well you perform.
  4. When victory or success depends on you and your ability rather than on the adequacy of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
  5. When you place undue emphasis on programming and planning to the exclusion of His direction, leading and guidance.
  6. When more time is spent in the “activities arena” than in the prayer closet.
  7. When the praises of men and women become more important than the approval of God.
  8. When relating to and caring for people is less important than programs, planning, meetings, and budgets.
  9. When you assume responsibility to worry and fret over things and people that God in His sovereignty and power would take charge of (if you would allow Him to do so).
  10. When your rights become more important than God’s will and way.
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