"May we all make it a point this year to give ourselves and the Lord the gift of writing the vision and making it plain."

The Earth Itself Is Moaning

I believe we are at a place in time when there is a stirring in each of our hearts for "more." No longer are we content to sit on the sidelines of life, or the sidelines at church, for the Spirit of the Lord is calling each of us--it's the "Deep calling to Deep." And even the very earth itself is groaning for us to take our rightful Kingdom place in the earth.

"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." (Romans 8:19-22)

May we all make it a point this year to give ourselves and the Lord the gift of "writing the vision and making it plain so that we may take the message forward," (Habakkuk 2:2), and we may know what the mark is and "press towards" it, (Philippians 3:14), and then may we GO FOR IT!

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)

Jesus reminds us that we are not to sit on the sidelines as an observer, but to be a part of what He has called us to do:

"Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, 'The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For indeed, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU!'" (Luke 17:20-21)

Faith by Our Works

Let us not continue to say we are "waiting on the Lord" to walk in what He has called us to. In all reality, HE is waiting on US! Truly, faith without works = nothing!

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26)

Let us show God our faith BY our works!

"But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.'" (James 2:18)

Jesus paid the price for us to do "the stuff," whether it be healing, prophesying, or whatever ministry He has called us to, and He deserves to get what He paid for!

To bring balance, let me remind everyone that salvation is free. But it is BECAUSE we are saved and know His love that we go forward and minister HIS LOVE to others. THAT is what Jesus, Himself, describes as TRUE MINISTRY:

"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'

And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'" (Matthew 25:34- 40)

PRAYER:

Father, cause us to arise above our procrastination and fears, and go forward in all You have called us to this Christmas season, New Year, and the years ahead. Let us be a blessing to others by doing what You have shown us to do through Your Word and Your example. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings!

Joni Ames
A.C.T.S. Ministries
www.joniames.org
JoniAmes@aol.com 

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Joni Ames' Upcoming Itinerary:

January 26-28, 2006
Bethel Worship Center
446 Old Alabama Road; Cartersville GA
Contact: 770-356-4096 or www.bethelworshipcenter.org