KLOVE Radio Features – January 2023

ATTACHED TO NOTHING –
I’m always amazed at how committed people are to nothingness; to believing that they came from nowhere and are going nowhere after they die. They proclaim it as if they know it for sure; even trying to convert other people to their point of view. That was me for five years in University; adamantly trying to convince people to believe my “Nothing Philosophy.” It got me into lots of heated arguments, as if I were the keeper of the higher ground. I was that person for years until Jesus opened my heart to see that I came from a God who’s madly in love with me, and I’m going to spend eternity with. This absolute reality fills my heart with joy every single day. It’s nothing I deserve. But it is what Jesus died to give me.

IS GOD CALLING YOU TO SUCCEED?
All of us want to succeed. The problem comes when we try to define what it looks like. We can’t! Only God knows what real success is. As David Wilkerson wrote, “When God calls you to something, He is not always calling you to succeed, He’s calling you to obey! The success of the calling is up to Him; the obedience is up to you.” Haven’t we all seen success bring more harm than good to some people’s lives…even our own? On the other hand, don’t we all know people who appear to not succeed, and yet they respond well to their seeming setbacks and, in the end, are far better for it? So, what’s the recommendation? Let the only Person who knows what true success looks like – the Lord – be the Guide who makes it happen.

GIVE UP OR GET UP
Every day, we each are given many of the same options. Some good. Some bad. Two options that affect us greatly are our daily choices to either “Give Up” or “Get Up.” Frankly, we all tend to “give up” too soon, when “getting up” could bring a miraculous outcome. I face these two options regularly when God awakens me, either in the middle of the night, or very early in the morning. He nudges me to get out of bed, at times to pray for a need I have, or for others. At times, I’ve rolled over and let the request pass. I saw it as an intrusion when it was really an opportunity. But, more and more, as I’ve responded to God’s heavenly wake-up call, I’ve found divine appointments, answered prayer, and even healings are on the other side of my obedience.

MATURITY & INTERNAL MOTIVATION
One of clearest differences between maturity and immaturity is seen in how we are motivated. Babies and toddlers need constant external direction and care. They’re not capable of sufficiently motivating themselves to provide for even their most basic needs. A mature person, on the other hand, is able to internally motivate themselves to do what is needed. While this is most clearly seen in the physical dimensions of life, our ability to be emotionally and spiritually motivated from the inside is, likewise, a clear indication of our maturity as a person. “Jesus, mature my inner man. May Your Spirit and Word motivate me to follow Your leading in my life. Help me grow into being the person You created me to be.”

TURNING HEARTS
Perhaps one of the greatest predictions of where God wants to lead the Body of Christ in this hour is this verse at the end of the Old Testament. “…he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers…” (Malachi 4:6, NKJV) This must happen. It’s not an option. There is an Everlasting Father in Heaven who predicted it, and so it will take place. The question is, do you and I want to be a part of its fulfillment? I know I do. There are spiritual sons and daughters waiting for you and me on the other side of our obedience. I believe my saying this sentence makes God smile. But, if we actually did this and fulfilled this incredible Bible verse, it would change the course of history, and our lives simultaneously.

EARLY COMPENSATION OR ETERNAL REWARD
At times, we all get to choose in life, when we receive our rewards. We can settle for the quick and shallow rewards of Earth, or patiently wait and store up our treasures in Heaven as Jesus recommended. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20, NKJV)
The first option, treasures on Earth, sounds pretty silly in light of God’s heavenly treasures; His “exceeding great and precious promises.” (2 Peter 1:4) Earth’s rewards: fame, and fortune, glory and gold, are trinkets compared to the pearls of great price. Choose wisely! Your free will is priceless.