Written by His Grace,

Penned by: Kevin K. O’Connor

Date Penned: Jan. 08, 2005

Main thought: to examine what develops Life, Joy, and Victory in our lives.

Not by Might nor by Power,

Not by Health nor by Wealth,

By by God’s Spirit there is Life!

Zec 4:6 - Show Context So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts.

1Co 1:25 - Show Context Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

One thing that amazes me is how we can get to feel mighty proud of ourselves due to the gifts given to us. If we’re given great looks, wealth, prestige, or whatever, we really begin to think we’re really somebody. That seems to be true no matter who we are. It was true even for satan who once had great power and authority in Heaven and now has been brought down to the dust of this world where he now makes war with those that God loves.

Oh that we would look beyond what our eyes can see and our hands can touch and into the heart of the One Who created us and Loves us and Who laid Himself down in our behalf. Unfortunately, satan’s gaze was upon what he was given and not on the One who was giving to him and so his destruction was complete. Now, it is our turn. Since sin entered time and eternity, it has to run its full course. Just because sin entered the picture, doesn’t mean that God no longer desires to create us. His heart still desires to complete what has been in there to do. And, He will do it to its completion. Every single one of us, as individual as we may be, are extremely precious and priceless to the One who gives us the breath of life to breathe. But, will our focus be upon what was given to us, or the One doing the giving? If it is on the gifts rather than the Giver, we’ll derive some pleasure from them for the short while we’re on this earth, just as satan enjoyed his power and authority for a short time in Heaven. But God’s heart is hoping that our focus will be greater than satan’s who could only see himself and not God’s heart of Love.

Our hearts seem to be so much like a sponge. It seems that when we’re given many gifts of this life, we tend to not care for the life to come. Notice what God says about those with great riches; Mt 19:23 - Show Context Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again in; Mt 19:24 - Show Context And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Why is it so hard for those that have much in this life to see beyond their gifts?, because that which is right in front of us is so much easier to see. No wonder people used to think the world was flat, because it was all that they could see at the time. Now we know better because we can see better (from space) and thus know that the world is round. In the same way, God wants us to take the time to listen to His Word before it is too late and we breathe our last breath and for us to know that we were made for more than this world’s comfort and convenience.

Let’s now look at the contrast from one who is rich in this world to one who is poor; Lu 7:47 - Show Context Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Why did she love much?, because she knew how much she was forgiven. She wasn’t so consumed with her own gifts, talents, or abilities, but took the time to look upon Christ and realized that He was the Author of Life. In the same way, God wants us to take the time to listen to His voice. Notice some more scriptures of those that we are commanded to give to; Mt 10:8 - Show Context Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. And note one last scripture in this regard; Mr 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Notice those that are to receive the riches of Heaven. Not those consumed with the riches of this world, but those who realize that this world is not the answer. No wonder God Himself tells us in Mt 7:6 - Show Context Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Even God tells us to use some common sense. His Word is Life and Peace to those who will listen so give it to those who are hungry and not those who could care less.

I believe that there is going to be a great revival in this world with great demonstrations of God’s Power & miracles but not within America due to our contentment with the temporary blessings given to us. I also believe that there will be those within this nation that will also see them but the revival will be spotty and not massive like in many nations that are in great need. Why will the revival be spotty in this nation?, because there will be those who although they had much physically, they heard God’s heart to seek Him and they did. Those who learn to empty themselves before God will be filled, and those who learn to fill themselves with the cares of this life will be emptied; Lu 14:11 - Show Context For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. The most real thing of all time and eternity is God’s Word! What God says, IS! He can bring the dead back to life, part the oceans, cause the sun to go backwards, you name He can do with it with one exception, He cannot Lie nor be unholy. He is Who He is and His Word reigns supreme. All those who take refuge in His Word will be more than conquerors of this life.

No wonder God says in His Word; 2Ch 7:14 - Show Context if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. One of the greatest weapons that we ALL have and that EVERYONE can use is prayer. Prayer is the tool that empties us of ourselves so that we may hear His heart. Do you want more Power, Joy, Peace, Life, Victory, Love in your life?, than learn how to PRAY. But, Prayer should be more than a routine or an exercise, it should be a wholehearted hungering and thirsting for God and His ways, not our own. That’s why He also says; “and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” No one becomes a prayer warrior overnight. We just need to be faithful to God’s heart that reaches out to us all with what He impresses upon us to do, and do it with all our might as unto Him.

There is coming a day and soon when normal will be a thing of the past and the Heaven’s will part and Christ will return. Then those who took the time to listen to His heart and not their bank earnings statement will truly begin to LIVE! God Bless everyone who takes the time to press near to the One Who emptied Himself on our behalf and now reigns on the Right Hand of the Heavenly Father!

Father, Thank You for Your Son!, may He be the passion and desire of our hearts. Teach us how to die to this life that we may live with You in Your kingdom. In Jesus Glorious, Eternal, Beautiful Name, Amen

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If you have comments or suggestions email me at rubornagain2@outlook.com