In the Morning

E’YEN A. GARDNER

In the Morning Kindle Edition

Copyright © 2010 by E’yen A. Gardner

Printed Word Publishing

PO BOX 360812

Columbus, Ohio 43236

www.eyengardner.com

eyengardner@yahoo.com

All Scripture bible references are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.

Book Editing:              Maia R. Gardner, Michelle Hawley

Cover Design:  Katawi K. McKinney

To Maia, Arin, J’sun, Raya, Lesa, Kyan and Bria, you are my inspiration for writing.

I love you dearly.

In the Morning

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalms 30:5

Covered in darkness, as never-ending clouds encompass my soul, I yearn to see a glimmer of light, but I gaze into the sky I see nothing but certain destruction.  As I enter my house and shut the door to the storm, seeking for hope, I only find discord.  Oh God, where are You?  I long for peace, joy and love.  Why am I surrounded by darkness?

Fear Not

7:00PM

“And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.” (Judges 6:23)

As I sit in silence, a fire rises within.  A fire that enflames my eyes.  I never imagined being in this position.  Where is the key that can unlock my heart from the tormenting flames?  Is there anything that can quench this enraged fire?  In every direction, I am trapped by the heat of the flames.  There is no exit.  There is no escape; I am cut off at every angle.  I plead with the fire to, “make it quick.” As I take my last breath and close my eyes, two words, “fear not,” ring in my ears and I am awakened.  What I feared as death, was nothing more than a dream that seemed very real.

Have you ever felt enslaved to your fears?  You hate that they exist, but can’t seem to find freedom from them.  It is hard to admit that our fears sometimes become our master, but they do.  We stay a slave to them until someone comes to release the chains and shackles attached to our bodies and our minds.

Wherever we turn, we are faced with fear.  We have grown so accustomed to carrying the chains of fear that we don’t realize the scars that the shackles leave.  Our spirit wants to be free, but the chains are unbreakable.  We know that freedom is real, but don’t feel that it will ever be our reality.  We’ve tried going to church, but no matter how often we attend, our fears remain.  We’ve tried receiving counseling from pastors and doctors, but no matter what advice they give, we still leave with our fears.  Every possible angle and resource has been utilized but nothing can break the bonds of our fear.

How can a believer of Jesus Christ be enslaved to fear?  It makes no sense for us to be liberated from sin and given a fresh start, only to enter a new bondage whose torments can last a lifetime.  We hear, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” being taught and preached all the time. (2 Timothy 1:7)  Why then, as followers of Christ, are we afraid?  Why does fear come?  We want to believe. We don’t want to be afraid, but in order to overcome fear we have to first admit that it comes.

Fear comes to us naturally through our senses; usually when we realize that we are weak and vulnerable.  When we are caught off guard, fear comes.  When we are confronted with trying situations, fear comes.  When we hear a bad report, fear comes.  When we see danger, fear comes.  When we speak out of our emotions, fear comes.  When we feel sick, fear comes.  When our money runs out, fear comes.  In all of these avenues and more, fear creeps into our lives.  Our world is driven by fear and our choices are saturated in fear.  Everything we see is through the “eyes” of fear.  How can we overcome fear if our lives are surrounded by things that make us afraid?

The answer is simple; through faith in Jesus Christ.  Though fear comes to us naturally, faith comes spiritually.  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Romans 10:17)  Faith comes from God.  Without a word from God, faith cannot and will not come.  We can read the bible, we can pray all day long, and we can fast for days, but without a word from God, we can not combat against the fears that come to us.  “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)  Our faith comes from the word that God has spoken to us, and until God gives us a word, we have nothing to stand on.

In faith, what we believe is not usually supported by what we see naturally.  “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” (II Corinthians 5:7)  We must open ourselves to the knowledge that our reality is what we make it.  We can walk in fear, or we can walk in faith.  God speaks to those that have their ears and hearts turned to Him.

When God speaks to us, the first thing that most of us will hear Him say is, “Fear not.”  Those two words are the gateway to our deliverance from our fears.  Without receiving those words, we can not receive anything else from God; this is the basis of our faith.  As long as we have fear, we can not have faith. So, we must let go of our fear in order to obtain liberty through faith.

God’s words are floating over our heads that have been dispatched to deliver us from our problems, but we can’t receive the words until we release our cares and fears.  Faith comes from us letting go of our fears and receiving what we don’t see while allowing it to become what we believe.  When we are “bankrupt” from our ways, God affirms His word in us.  Our fears have no power over His word, so when we receive His word, we can press through whatever fears confront us instead of being hindered by them.  When God gives us a word, it brings understanding to His established truth.  We can read the bible with clarity and we can pray in confidence.  We can live faithfully, aligned with His will.

Fear brings torment, but faith brings victory and power. (I John 5:4) Without faith, it is impossible to please God.  When we are fearful, we become servants to fear and can’t be made perfect through Jesus Christ.  (I John 4:18) Our faith will constantly be tried as we will be confronted with things that can and will make us fearful.  However, in each trial, we must fight the good fight of faith.  Our faith in Jesus Christ will overcome any fear that presents itself with the intent of destroying our life’s purpose.

Faith is not received in the “morning,” but it is given in the “night” seasons of life.  In a place where we are vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy, God gives us a shield of faith that will quench every dart that comes to strip us of our freedom. (Ephesians 6:16)  As we enter the night, we become “dead” to our fears and become “alive” through faith in God.  Our faith in God is what will get us through the “night” and the obstacles that are before us.  Our faith draws to the dawn of a new day; a new beginning in Christ.

Doubt

8:00PM

“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

While growing up, I loved superheroes.  I would imagine being endowed with a supernatural power that could save the world from the “bad” guys.  To me, superheroes were invincible.  So, no matter what evil plan the villains concocted, they were always defeated.  However, although always victorious, every hero had a weakness to overcome in their pursuit of defeating the corruption of society.

Superman was, and still is, one of the most powerful superheroes of all time.  His weakness is kryptonite. When it rested on him, it stripped him of his power, causing him to become vulnerable to his enemies.  If they could keep the kryptonite near him, Superman could do nothing to prevent his enemies from doing what they pleased.  However, when the kryptonite was removed, Superman’s power was restored and he gained victory over the “bad” guys.

In our fight against the evils of this world, our “kryptonite” is doubt.  Doubt renders us helpless against our enemies and blocks God’s grace from being manifested in our lives.  We have been endowed with the power of faith in Jesus Christ, and through our faith many obstacles can be destroyed and eradicated from our life.  However, when we let doubt creep into our minds and hearts, what we once believed, we can no longer receive.  The stability of our lives becomes dislodged through our fellowship with doubt and an apprehension of what God has spoken over our lives.

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

(James 1:6-8)

If we are to believe in God, we must believe God.  When we are double-minded, the power of God’s word is of no use to us because we don’t fully trust Him.  So, when we are presented with problems, we can either trust that Jesus Christ is the only one that can change our situations, or we can choose to just trust ourselves.

We want to be noticed for what we are, but it is only when people see the real Superman within us that they are impacted by our lives.  We actually make our situations so much more difficult when we doubt God.  Our lives weaken and our countenance becomes sad, all because we do not surrender to the purpose and plan of God with our whole heart.  We all want to fly and we want to soar to great heights in God but we must trust Him to do the impossible through us.  We have the “cape,” but do we have the power to fly, or are we just “dressing the part?”

Unable to see the light of God’s goodness, we take rest in the dark.  We are turned in all directions by the voices that ring in our ears.  We ponder which voice will lead us to our desired destination.  An overwhelming chill runs down our spine as we feel the touch of the passing breeze.  We turn to see what has just passed by, then we hear the words, “Follow Me.”  The words provoke us to move forward, prompting us towards the dissipating vapors of the voice that spoke.  As we trust this unknown voice, we begin to ponder whether we have made the right decision to follow it, or whether the voice is leading us even further off the path.  We gaze at what is before us but we see nothing.  We look for signs or help beside us, but again, find nothing but darkness.  The uncertainty of where we are going and whom we are following, consumes our mind with doubt.  We then notice that we are right where we started.  In fact, we had never even followed the direction of the voice because of our doubts!  We just wandered in circles, coming back to where we started; more weak, confused and alone, without any comfort from the words of the passing breeze that spoke to us.

The “night” looms heavy on us all.  We often find ourselves at a crossroad with no lights shining on its path.  In this state of uncertainty, we ponder which way is the right way.  We believe in God and we want to make the decision that will lead us closer to Him, but there is no sign directing us on which path to travel.  So, we debate in our minds on which way to go, and as we finally come to a decision, God comes and says, “Follow Me.”  His words are spoken briskly, but we make sure to receive them for they are just what we have been waiting on.  So, we commit to following the Voice and continue our journey, but the road seems to be too dangerous, and our thoughts begin to fight against believing in the voice that spoke to us.  Once we start to doubt God, the words we once trusted in, disappear and we are left with ourselves; back in a place of uncertainty.

God’s words are given to empower us to operate and function in spite of uncertain circumstances, and it is our faith in those words that carries us to our destination; like wings that enable us to fly into His presence and safety.  However, when we doubt God, we remain in our normality; unsure of how we are going to get the place that God has called us to go.  It is not until we cast our doubts aside and forbid them to inhabit our thoughts and minds that we are awakened to the internal light that dwells and forever shines in our hearts.  It is doubt that attracts darkness, but the light of God removes all doubt and guides us through the darkness.  When the light is illuminated in our minds, it can lead us through the rigors of this world to the place where God’s word is manifested in our lives.

We must trust the Voice of God, no matter whatever comes our way.  We must not doubt, but trusting God does not make sense to our natural being.  We question, “How can I trust God?  Where is His presence during my ‘night’ season?”  It is easy to trust God when all is going right and our lives are comfortably settled but to trust God when the storm is churning is the real challenge.  To trust Him when the dark clouds press close to every aspect of our lives, is when trusting Him is most difficult.  Even though trusting God is painful because our flesh wants to rationalize everything that occurs in our life, we must trust that He knows what He is doing.  When we trust that His word is true, we enable His word to steer us in the right direction, whereas doubting only inhibits our progress and we fail to walk in the plan that He has prepared for us.

In spite of losing all that he had, Job trusted God.  He lost his family, his possessions and his health in the midst of a dark season in his life, and he still trusted in God.  Job’s trust was not in what he possessed naturally, but in what he possessed spiritually.  Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15)  Wow!  Ultimately, Job was saying, “I will trust God even if it kills me to do so.”  The grief and the pain were real in his life, but the loss of so much could not turn his heart from trusting God.  Many of us trust God with our minds, but never trust Him with our hearts.  Job could not turn away from God because God had his heart.  His life was rooted in trusting God, and he knew that without God, his life would be meaningless.

We have an amazing example of trusting God in Job.  We see that when God has our complete trust, the thoughts of doubts have no power over our decisions, and we are committed to trust the words that He has spoken over us.  No matter what others may think or believe, they can not deter us from trusting in our Master’s plan.

Job was surrounded by pessimists and critics, and even his own wife could not understand his commitment to God; nevertheless, he trusted in only One.  Just as with Job, God desires to replace our doubt with a sound mind; one that whole-heartedly trusts Him.

Sorrow

9:00PM

In life, there is something that catches us off guard and shakes us to our core: sorrow.  There is nothing that can prepare you for sorrow, it just occurs. No matter if you are “good” or “bad,” the “raindrops” of sorrow fall on us all.  As we become “drenched” in our anguish, we yearn for warmth that will dry up our sorrowful heart.  Unfortunately, many don’t believe that it is possible for Christians to be filled with sorrow.  They believe that if Christians are in “right standing” with God, then it is impossible to be sad at all; that is, until it hits home.

David and his men came to their home in Ziglag and were greeted by the smoke of their burned down homes.  Their families were taken away and they stood in the ruins, broken by their loss. (I Samuel 30:1-6)  Could you imagine going to work and when you return home, your house is on fire, all your belongings are gone, and your family has been kidnapped?  We all are so vulnerable to the unknown ways of sorrow, and this world is filled with people that are consumed in sorrow.  The death of loved ones, the discord of rejection, the sting of divorce, and the trauma of abuse have caused us all to become familiar with sorrow.  The words of men cannot remove the pain of sorrow from our lives; there is no natural solution for the emptiness that sorrow brings.  Sorrow places us in a pit – a dry, empty, waterless well of despair – and as much as we long to get out, our efforts are powerless.

Why would God allow things to happen that would cause us to be sorrowful?  It does not make sense that such a loving God would allow His beloved to fall into sorrow.  When we are confronted with sorrow, it provokes the depths of our spirit to cry out to Him.  It is a cry of desperation and a cry of longing for God to work in the midst of His people.  Sorrow provokes us to be desperate for God’s presence.

When we rest in our sorrow, we are tormented by the pain of the events that have occurred.  We dig an even deeper pit to hide ourselves from the face of our pain, but the burden that we are carrying eventually overwhelms us and it rests on us.  We become short of breath; in need of fresh wind to fill our lungs, so that we might be freed from our pit.  We cry out to God from the depths of our soul and our cry reaches the heart of God.

When we are desperate for a change, we are willing to do whatever it takes.  Elkiahah’s wife, Hannah, was barren while his other wife had children.  Hannah was tormented by her inability to bare children, even though her husband loved her regardless.  Her soul was deeply sorrowful; she carried her sorrow year after year and painfully subjected herself to its sting.  One day, the burden was too much for her to carry.  She fell at the wall of the temple and released all of her pain and sorrow unto God.  In her desperation, she vowed to give her son to God if He would open her womb. (I Samuel 1: 5-18)  If she was not truly desperate, she would have never uttered those words.  She wanted a change and was willing to give God her most treasured desire if He would honor her request.

There are times that we too utter things to God, and when we look back, we wonder what we were thinking.  Why would you give to God the very thing that you were sorrowful about not having?

“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.  And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord al the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” (I Samuel 1:10-11)

Hannah wanted a son so bad, that she agreed to give him back to God for all of his life.  How selfless this woman was, that in a time where she could have remained consumed in her sorrow, she instead found a place to regard God and not her situation.

The children of Israel were slaves for 400 years in Egypt. When their sorrow became too heavy, their cries reached the heart of God, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham. (Exodus 2:23-25) When our hearts speak, God remembers the promises that He has spoken to us.

God is waiting to hear our cry.  He wants to fill our hearts and satisfy us with His promise, but He is waiting on a release from our broken spirit.  A lot of times it takes being in the pit of sorrow for us to confess our need for God to save us.  Hannah tried to handle her dilemma on her own, but when she reached her “wall,” all that she was holding on to was released through her confession unto God.  The “wall” of limitation also breaks us, and in our brokenness, we make confession unto salvation.

We receive salvation when we confess our need for our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is when we confess our need for His grace that our spiritual growth comes.  His grace removes the sorrow of our limitations and draws us closer to God.  Hannah did not want a child just to prove to her “rival” that she was capable, but she had an unyielding desire that only God could fill.  God had purposed Hannah to bare Samuel, but it took her confession to Him to release His plan into action.

Eli, the priest, looked at Hannah as if she was a drunk and tried to interpret her worship unto God. (I Samuel 1:13-14)  Naturally, people may confuse our brokenness with depression and they may see us as “over the top,” but when the Spirit infuses God’s love into our hearts, we are yielded to Him and liberated from the criticism of others.  No matter how deep the pit or how dark the “night,” Christ can save and redeem us all.  We can not be bound by the words of man, but rather be freed by the fresh spring of “living water” that transforms our “pit” into a “well” of life.

Although Hannah already had a relationship with God, He wanted to elevate her and give her a testimony.  Without her going through her desperate situation, there would have been no need to even mention her in the Bible.  Just like Hannah, God is writing our story, right now.  Will we turn to Him in desperation or will we remain stuck in our pit?  There is a “song” of deliverance dwelling in our belly that desires to be sung. (I Samuel 2:1-10) As the pressures press against us, what is pressed out of us is what will determine what will then go into us.  Hannah was not only honored with Samuel God gave her five more children. (I Samuel 2:21)

Sorrow creates a life altering sound that transforms our lives; God takes our ashes and gives us beauty that transcends our limitations. (Isaiah 61:3)  Hannah hit the temple wall with a shout and her internal “wall” came down.  When the children of Israel were at Jericho, they marched around the walls, not uttering a single word or sound.  Imagine how difficult that must have been.  For seven days, they walked in the heat of the day without making any noise.  The burden to remain in complete silence had to be heavy but once they heard the sound of the trumpets they, too, released a great cry and God destroyed the walls, giving them the city.

Jesus Christ knew He would have to face the cross while being betrayed and left alone.  He agonized in the garden of Gethsemane and cried out in sorrow. In the release of His confession, He grabbed a hold of His Father’s Will and submitted Himself to it.  He never opened His mouth against his adversaries and not once did He condemn His executers.  Instead, through much sorrow and grief, He endured the cross and tore down the “wall” that separated God from humanity.

Hannah gave her first son to God and Israel gave the first city they conquered to God.  God gave His first and only begotten Son to us, so that through His sorrow, the “wall” of separation could be destroyed and we could enter into the kingdom of God.  Our victory is nigh, even though it seems as if the “night” will never leave.  Know that through much sorrow, God tears down every stronghold and “wall” that has kept us from Him.  The walls are coming down and we must hold fast to every promise that God has spoken to us, for we will be able to see the manifestation of His will, in the morning.

Alone

10:00PM

I am confused and lost, with no arm to lean upon.  My knees buckle under intense pressure; I am left alone in my sea of tears.  Who can save me from my solitude?  As I gaze up at the eternal sky, I surrender to the silence that encompasses me.  I rise to my feet and I focus on the cross that stands before me.  The journey for a better life must first go through death on the cross.

The “night” can present many obstacles, but none greater than death.  Death follows us from the very second we enter the world.  We are burdened with thoughts of death, but no matter how much we run, it sticks close to our side.

Christ did something that defied common knowledge; He faced the cross and committed His life to conquer death.  Only He could carry the weight of the cross.  Only He could carry the weight of our sins.  Unfortunately, the support system that He had through His earthly ministry deteriorated when He took ownership of the cross.  He had no one to lean on; He had no one to take the fall for Him.  There was only space for Him on that cross, just one resting place in the tomb.  What a precious gift God has given us through His Son’s life.  Without His death, we all would have no hope.

There will come a time in our lives when we will have to face death alone.  Our spouse can not save us, our parents can not comfort us, and our friends will not be around.  All of our options become drained and we will stand face to face with the sting of death.

I remember as a child, I once rode my bicycle down a back alley hill. As I approached the bottom, a car came out of no where and barely missed hitting me.  I slammed on my brakes in fear and my bike flipped up in the air.  I flew into a parked car and my bike landed on top of me.  The car that almost hit me kept driving; it never even stopped to see whether or not I was hurt.

I laid there in the street frightened, bruised and wounded with blood running down my arms and legs.  I yearned for my mom; really, for anyone that would help me and comfort me.  No one came.  I was six blocks away from my house and did not know if I was going to make it home.

As I got up and carried my now broken bike home, I cried and screamed in pain the entire way.  No one heeded to my cry for help.  No one stopped; no one came.  Alone, I found enough strength to get close enough to my house that my mom heard me and came running to me.  She mended my wounds, wiped away my tears and stopped the bleeding.  In my desperation, I had been looking for help from others but only the one that loved me unconditionally could restore me from brokenness.  When no one else wanted to help me and many ignored my cries, my mom heard me and immediately came to my rescue.  God hears our cries, and He sees our brokenness.  He sees our wounds and He is coming to our rescue to bring restoration!

Will we carry the “cross” that God has given us?  Will we press through our brokenness so that Christ can bring restoration to us and others?  The journey of isolation can seem bleak and it can be painful, but our isolation brings restoration.  God’s mercy enables us to stand and His Grace allows us to overcome death.

The hardest, yet, most rewarding thing we can do in life is carry the “cross.”  The “cross” does not save, but it leads to the One that does.  Many times I have refused to pick up the “cross.”  I have even tried to blend in with everyone else, but no matter how hard I tried to avoid the “cross,” it followed me.  Even when I was doing all the “right” things; living a Christian lifestyle, praying, reading the Bible and going to church, the “cross” was still there with me.  I became so consumed with rituals that I never surrendered to the “cross.”  The cross follows Jesus, and it is not subject to anything but the will of God.  I wanted God, but I did not want the “cross.”  Every time problems would enter my life, I found myself alone and I was faced with the “cross.”  No matter how much I turned away, when I turned back, I still saw it.  Friends have hurt me, loved ones have misunderstood me, but the “cross” – my purpose – has remained faithful.  God has never judged me but has led me back to the “cross” so that I could follow Him.

Like my bike, the cross leads us to freedom that surpasses what the world can offer.  Whenever I rode my bike, I was so liberated that I could go anywhere and I felt nothing was impossible. Only we can fulfill our life’s purpose and when we fall while carrying the cross, God sees us and restores us back to Himself so that we can fulfill our purpose.  Only God can restore us; religious people will condemn us and our friends will turn their backs on us, but God will redeem us.

“They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me. Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. O LORD, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.” (Lamentations 3:53-58)

Jeremiah was a prophet that cried for the people of God to turn back to Him, but found himself in a dungeon.  People did not like him prophesying against their wickedness, so in this dungeon, Jeremiah was left alone in silence.  No one could help him; he was cut off from the world for doing the right thing and his hope was bleak.  When he resigned to the notion that he was alone, God heard his cry and spoke life to his brokenness.  He was not cut off from God, and in this low place when it was impossible for him to find liberty, God redeemed him.

When we are consumed by the “night” and are in the terror of our dungeon, God comes and redeems us from the hand of our enemies.  Everything that had us bound in the dungeon dies when God redeems us.  Our flesh suffers when we carry our cross alone, for we can’t carry anything else.  We are dead to sin and even overcome sin when we are carrying our purpose; it frees us from the burdens of this world.

The cross can seem so heavy when you are the only one carrying it.  In this isolation – which others create to try and change you into the world’s image – God is able to mold us into His image.  The more we feel isolated from the world, the more we cleave to God.  The dungeon that has blinded us from seeing the light has revealed to us the True light within us.  This world (co-workers, acquaintances, and people in general), can’t stand those of us that are different, but it is who we are.  We are all different and it is not until we are alone that we can embrace the unique qualities that we have. When we are alone, we hear what God says, not what “people” say.

When Saul was on the road to Damascus he was going to search and kill believers of Jesus that were preaching a gospel that was contrary to his beliefs.  On his way, he fell off his horse and had an encounter with Jesus that blinded him and left all alone.  The world had defined his life and he had created a reputation for himself.  However, he now sat blind and in need of guidance.  If he had not had an encounter with Jesus, he would never have become the man God purposed for him to be. (Acts 9)

When God defines who we are, He has to separate us from the world.  He has to darken our vision so that we can receive His vision.  God did not blind Paul to punish him, but rather to transform him.  When he received his sight, everything became “new.”  He had a new name, a new character and a divine purpose.  Though we might not understand why we are isolated, and we feel out of place, God has set us up to be transformed in the “night,” so that when people see us, they see Him.

Anger

11:00PM

Anger is the “poison” that causes many of us to draw back from God.  It is the gateway to a life that is void of understanding and truth.  As we reach our near “breaking point” and collide into a “wall” – the other side leads us to deliverance – we are confronted with this “poison” that leads back to a life of bondage.

We have left our “captivity” in search of the place that God has called us to possess.  Now, we are faced with dire natural needs, and like the children of Israel, we have no food, no water, and no home. Not only that, but the faith and excitement that led us out of bondage has subsided and we are now faced with a new “reality.”  Anger flames our heart, knowing that we have no control of what happens, and although God has been good to us, we just can not seem to get rid of this feeling.  We are angered by the notion that God has allowed us to come so far and to learn so much, only to be led to a “dead end.”  There is no way around it and we begin thinking, “If I stay here I will die, but if I go back, I will be the center of everyone’s jokes.”  We trusted God and saw His Glory but now we don’t understand what is happening, so we become angry.  We can’t overcome what stands in front of us and we can’t face what is behind us, leaving us in a “pit” of anger.

Naturally, when we see a dead end to a street, we get angry.  If we drive and travel a great distance and the road leads us to a dead end, it can be disheartening.  We become angry that we trusted the map and it failed us.  If we were to be honest with ourselves, many of us have even been angry with God at times.  We don’t always understand His ways, and when things don’t happen the way we envision them, it hurts and we feel like a fool. Is God playing with my emotions?  Why would He lead me to a place, just to fail?  Anger can darken the brightest day.  It can destroy all that we love and wound our spirit.  Anger is very contagious and it leads to the destruction of God’s creation.

When we act in our anger, we rebel against God and we lay down His will to pick up our will.  He knows that we can never overcome the “dead ends” of life through our own will or by turning back on our path; it only can happen through the life of Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ life is manifested in us to destroy the works, or “dead ends,” of the devil. (I John 3:8)  When we carry around anger that has not been dealt with, it leads to bitterness, and bitterness leads to separation from Christ.  Anger must yield us to surrender ourselves to the will of our God, for when our lives our “boxed in” and there is no where to turn, we must let go of control and let God.

When my wife was pregnant she was very strong while dealing with the challenges of pregnancy.  She did not stop working, moving, or living throughout the journey, but there came a time when she felt “trapped” by her circumstances.  Thoughts would consume her mind and she would desperately want the pregnancy to be over. She would get frustrated and angry because that time had not come yet.  In those trying moments where there was no turning back and no way out, she yielded her anger to God and He never failed to strengthen her for the rest of the journey.

When we are “trapped,” there is nothing we can do to get out; the more we struggle, the angrier we become.  In our desperation, we must embrace the emotion and release our lives to God.  When adversity comes, we can’t give up – we have to look within us!  Our help is nigh, but we can go no further until we surrender to the process and will of God.  The “barrier” is too great for us to overcome, for we are not built to handle the “dead end” in front of us.  We are closer to receiving what God has for us than we think, but the enemy wants us to concentrate on what we don’t have and dwell in anger.  He wants our natural circumstances to dictate what we do or don’t do spiritually.  Nevertheless, when we see a “dead end,” we don’t stop, we surrender.

God understands.  Imagine Jesus entering Jerusalem, knowing that He was about to endure much suffering, betrayal, and rejection.  He went to the place that should have brought Him comfort but rather, it brought Him anger.  He went to the temple because He needed to find a place where He could “pour out” His heart to God.  However, the temple was full of merchandise and there was no place for His prayers.  Have you ever felt the burden of your purpose and you wanted to find relief, renewal and strength in the church, but instead you only find chaos and discord?  Just like our Lord and Savior, when there is no peace in the church, we have to go to the garden.  The closer we get to the “dead end,” the more the enemy attacks us by continuously showing us the “wall” that is there.  However, the more we submit our “cross” to God, the more He can comfort us while we wait on Him.

As we sit in our cell awaiting our pending release we are bombarded by the memories of the beatings we have endured.  We have held on to our faith, but the enemy’s nagging voice continues to echo in our minds.  “Where has it gotten you?  You sit wounded, scarred, beaten and left for dead, so where is your God?”  He mocks our very existence.  Every insult pours salt onto our wounds and our soul weeps endless tears of pain.  This unmovable barrier has us locked in and cut off from proceeding any further.  Suddenly, there is a shaking within.  We try to contain it, but it erupts out of our spirit like a volcano.  Praises flow out of us, and as the sound that shook our very soul flows through in our cell, it begins to shake. The walls that enclose us shakes, the ground shakes, and everything that was once unmovable is moved by the praises of our spirit.  The dead end suddenly becomes a new beginning.  The place that stopped us is now the place where we begin.  The chains that the enemy used to bind us are now broken off, and the praises from our hearts forces the death of our anger, our bondage, and our fears.  Our night season is coming to an end; it is time to cross over into the morning and leave our issues behind.  It’s 12:00A.M.!

Joy

12:00AM

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”  (Acts 16:25-26)

Imagine Paul and Silas in jail, bruised and beaten.  They had done what God had told them to do and what was their reward?  They were beaten and thrown in jail.  In a state where they could have easily given up and been angry, they did the unthinkable; they praised God!  They sang unto the King of Kings and glorified Him in spite of what their circumstances were.  They had sown their tears and had wept for the last time.  A joy that was unspeakable got a hold of them; a joy that only comes after our tears have endured the test of the night.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalms 126:5-6)

The harvest of joy is guaranteed.  They might have been hurt and weak but the joy of the Lord came and strengthened them.  They heard the mocking of the enemy telling them that their lives were over.  They reached a “dead end,” but the enemy did not know that their pain was necessary for the harvest of joy that brings deliverance.

We are sitting in our “cells” and the enemy is telling us that our actions are in vain and that we have suffered for no reason.  He’s telling us that God has left us to die and this is our end.  However, he does not know that all of our tears were watering the garden of our hearts, and the pressure from our pain was propelling us to “give birth” to a praise that would shake the natural fibers of this world.  Our joy echoes from our hearts and destroys the chains that have kept us stuck in our pain.

God knew if that we did not weep, there would be no joy.  So, He allowed a wall to be placed in front of us so joy could grow down inside of us.  It is not a joy that is predicated on receiving something by natural means or based on carnal riches, but a joy that is rooted in the goodness of God.  It is a joy that the whole earth desires to experience.  So, God leads us to this place that has an “end,” in order to bring a new beginning that unlocks the treasures of the morning in the midst of darkness.  Its treasure brings life to all that are prisoners to the enemy and liberates every soul from bondage.

When we are faced with “dead ends,” something has to “die” in order for us to move forward.  What “dies” in us, also provokes the joy of the Lord to be birthed in us.  Jesus died for this joy.  He endured the cross and shed His blood so that His life could saturate the lives of those that believe in Him with joy. (Hebrews 12:2)  It is a joy that numbs the pains of agony and soothes the sting of every “wound.”  It is a joy so powerful, that the veil that separated man from the presence of God was destroyed.

We all want joy but it comes with sacrifice and through much perseverance.  Nevertheless, the affliction that we suffer is still not worthy to be compared to the glory that is “birthed” out of us. (Romans 8:18)  When my wife gave birth to our children, it did not matter how long the labor was or how much pain she endured after the child was born.  The joy of seeing new life made it all dim in comparison.  We too, will have pain to endure while God’s word is “kicking” inside of us, but it will all be worth it in the end.  The enemy desires to steal the word from us and strip us from what we are holding onto.  He knows that if the Word is “born,” it will have power over him and bring new life to others.

So, during the “night,” the devil works to “shake” us.  He works to knock us off course and frustrate us enough to hinder us from moving forward.  While it is “night,” we are extremely vulnerable to losing our promise – the Word inside of us – because it has not fully developed yet.  If we give place to the devil, he will corrupt our “seed” and we will not see the manifestation of God’s promise.  However, when “midnight” comes, the enemy’s chance to strip us of our word has failed.  We have held on for so long and now we have entered into the grace of God – a new “trimester.”  Right where our limitations end, is where God’s grace begins and the Word is now in the protective arms of God.  Our shield of faith has been molded and shaped to perfectly shield us from the tricks of the enemy.

In pregnancy, the first trimester is when most miscarriages occur because it is when the body is the most vulnerable.  When the second trimester begins, a confidence arises within that what has been conceived is growing and is on its way to its birth date.  The doctor checks the growth process, you hear the heartbeat and you see the ultrasound as the baby grows and begins to kick.  What a joy it is to have evidence that something is living inside of us!  The release of joy gives us evidence that God has sealed His promise within us and His seal protects the word from the corruption and attacks of the enemy. (Ephesians 1:13)

The security of the Lord is upon us and it gives us a freedom that can not be taken away.  This freedom causes us to praise and glorify our Savior and Lord.  Every time the enemy comes against us, we trust in the seal of God’s Spirit to affirm that His word is true.  However, we must realize that it is still “dark” and the enemy uses that to try and make us unsure of God’s promise.  Fortunately, this joy can’t be taken away by the world and God’s seal can’t be broken; it will endure every test, every storm, and any pressure that comes against it.

Joshua was given victory long before he ever led the people around the city of Jericho.  He had a “seal” that could not be broken, so every obstacle was just a place for his seal to demonstrate its power. (Joshua 1:4)  When we praise God in the midst of our “darkness,” God is moved by our faith.  The manifested presence of Jesus Christ is revealed through the praises of believers. (Psalms 22:3)  Praise shakes the “walls” of limitations and breaks the “chains” of depression.  Praise unlocks the doors to our “cells,” as our hearts are unlocked to the liberty of Christ.  Our praise is based on a knowing that is greater than our circumstances; a knowing of God’s manifested presence in our lives.  We are overjoyed by the understanding that the state we are in is not our end.  Something greater is in store for us.

Excitement fills our souls as we interlock our hearts with God’s heart.  We are aligned to His will and we are propelled towards our destiny.  Many of us have experienced this joy either alone or in the fellowship of other believers.  Where it once seemed like the world was weighing down on us and we were at our wit’s end, a word has now touched our hearts and praise has begun to flow out of us.  Our burdens are lifted as our praise releases the pressure from our being.  We know that God has not forsaken us or left us, but rather He is right there working grace into our lives.  The overwhelming power of God directs our heart to the strength of His presence.

Although the “chains” have been broken and the “cells” have been opened by our praise, it is not time for us to leave just yet.  When Paul and Silas were in jail and God opened their cells they did not immediately leave.  In our crossover, we become the “bridge” the God uses to bring salvation to someone else.  We receive our freedom in order to free others who are separated from God; we cannot ignore the lives of those that are still bound.  The guard that had beaten and wounded Paul and Silas was about to kill himself because he thought that he failed at his job.  He saw the cells open in the midst of darkness and he did not see the prisoners.  At his wit’s end and on the verge of killing himself, Paul and Silas said, “We are here.” Just the same, God is here.  He has not left us but placed us in the midst of darkness to be a light to the hopeless.  The cell was not opened for Paul and Silas; it was opened so that the prison guard could be freed.  A life of freedom was waiting for him as he entered the dark cell.  He then left, enlightened to who God is and his whole family received salvation in the morning.  (Acts 16:27-34)

Peace

1:00AM

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7)

When our lives are filled with the praise and the joy then the peace of God dwells over our lives.  It is a peace that surpasses natural understanding; an inner knowing that imparts “stillness” into our soul.  No matter what has transpired before this point, God’s peace numbs our senses from taking over and gives us rest in the midst of the storm.  Why does God go to such lengths for us to receive the blessings He has promised us?

One night I went to a church member’s home to have prayer.  Many of the other church members were there also, praying, and the Spirit of God moved in that place and touched our hearts.  The experience was amazing and I felt at peace when I left.  That same night, my family and I had to make a trip to someone else’s house that lived on the other side of town.  As we drove, the car began to shake a great deal.  We arrived at our destination confused as to what was going on.  When we were about to leave the house, we saw that our rear tire was flat.  My emotions started arising in me because we were on the other side of town and it was late and far past my children’s bedtime. What had started as a great evening began to feel more like a nightmare.  God spoke to my heart and said, “Don’t let the enemy see you sweat.”  Immediately, His peace that passes understanding came upon me.  It was dark outside but His peace “lit up” my heart.  God then gave us transportation to get home and provisions to get our car fixed.  If my emotions would’ve taken over, I would have given place for the enemy to remove what God had just put in me.  “And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown, but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.” (Mark 4:15)

This is one of the greatest tricks the enemy uses to render us defenseless.  We experience God and are overjoyed but as we go on to our next destination, the enemy uses natural things to strip us from the spiritual inheritance that was sown into our hearts by God.  The journey is shaky and sometimes our “vehicle” breaks down on our way home.  If God is really with us, why would He allow the enemy to work in our lives?  God wants to give us His peace.  Not a peace that anyone can understand but a peace that is unmovable and rests on His Word.  It would seem that our excitement from our encounters with God would be enough to carry us to the fulfillment of His blessings.  However, peace balances our emotions and aligns them with God’s will.  Peace leads to true deliverance and it leads us closer to God’s heart.

When Jesus spoke parables to His disciples and the multitudes, everyone received His words gladly.  Prepared to travel with His disciples, Jesus rested on a pillow and slept comfortably on the boat.  The wind was blowing and the boat was becoming filled with water, rocking back and forth.  There was no rest for any of the disciples.  They were shaken by their natural circumstances and could not understand how Jesus could sleep at such a difficult time.  As they saw their lives in death’s “grip,” their minds and hearts began to be stripped of all the “seeds” that Jesus had just spoke and “sown” into them.  Doubt took control and they woke Jesus up, worried and questioning Him with what many of us utter in our hearts, “Carest that we perish?”  Jesus’ response, “Peace be still,” was so direct and piercing. He declared to His disciples peace, and then to the natural elements to be still; and because Jesus rested on the Word, the Word had authority over everything that fought against His peace.  (Mark 4:26-39)

When we are sleep, we aren’t conscious of the battles and winds that are blowing in our lives.  Yet, when we are awake, we are compelled to believe everything that we see and feel instead of what God has spoken to us.  However, when peace is released, we arrive at our destination, for it is the peace of God that can bring us to the place that He has prepared for us to be.  Although our lives are unsettled, our spirit is settled in Christ because the word that is attached to us on the inside cannot be affected by what is happening on the outside.  Without peace, there is no victory.  So, when our lives exude the chaotic nature of this world, we are unable to hold onto the Word that God has given us; therefore leaving us with no peace and no victory.

Without peace, we “fumble” the word like a football player that has been blindsided by the opponent.  If we had seen the “defender,” we would have braced for contact but instead, the “ball” was knocked away from us.  Many times when a “runner” is scared, they are just afraid of being hit.  So, when contact comes, they are more worried about the “defender,” than holding onto the ball.  However, the enemy can smell fear.  He knows exactly which of us is afraid of contact and he uses our fears against us to dislodge every word that God places in our hands.  “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

Fortunately, God’s peace confuses the enemy.  Every time he “hits” us, we get up still holding on to the word that He gave us.  We never lose “possession” of the word and every “play” leads us even closer to our destination – touchdown!  His intimidation does not work against us for we have peace and because we have peace, we can enjoy the “game.”  We can enjoy all of the challenges and obstacles that stand in our way and grow stronger through the adversity.  We can see the “end zone” and every step we take, inches us closer to reaching it.

The enemy tries to put all the weight that he has on top of us when we have been tackled.  On the bottom of the “pile,” he pulls, scratches, bites and he hits in order to unsettle us as the weight crushes us.  However, God has a “whistle” that He blows in the midst of every “pile,” that forces the enemy to release us.  It calms the storms and releases the pressure from us.  We may be “muddy and bruised” but God won’t allow the enemy to put more on us than we can bear.  (I Corinthians 10:13)

The peace of God is what keeps us going even when we want to quit.  Jesus spoke to His disciples and said, “Peace I leave with you.” (John 14:27)  He was about to leave His followers and despite the fact that His natural circumstances were getting worse, He was still able to deliver peace into the hearts of His friends.  Jesus knows that we all suffer dearly in the midst of tribulations.  Times are trying and they always seem to get worse but Jesus has left us the gift of His peace.  Peace that will allow us to keep walking forward in spite of the darkness we face.  We cannot be defeated because our victory is already promised.  We just have to accept the peace that is waiting for us as well as the Giver of that peace. (Isaiah 26:3)

We can have so much peace that when the enemy comes in like a flood, that the spirit of our Lord will life up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19)  The enemy does not understand how we can continue to have peace in the midst of darkness.  He is confused on how we can suffer such abuse, but still hold peace in our hearts.  What we hold is greater than what we are going through.  I have heard that while in prison, prisoners yearn to receive a gift or even a letter from the “outside world.”  They continually have to face their bondage and their failures, but when they receive a gift, it is preserved and treasured in their hearts for it gives them a glimpse into a life beyond their limitations.

When we are in our “night” season, we too are looking for our release from the “prison” of affliction.  What God does is sends us a gift of peace that we must treasure and preserve until we are released.  Every time doubt and frustration comes to attack us, we can pull out that gift and receive peace and assurance that will motivate us to endure.  We can’t give up.  We are too close to our promise and the “day” is about to break.  We have to hold on to our peace and not allow the enemy to strip it from us.  What a joy it is to know that if we hold onto our peace, the Lord shall fight our battle and lead us into the blessings He has prepared for us, in the morning.

Patience

2:00AM

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”  (James 1:2-4)

One of the hardest lessons for us to learn is the lesson of patience.  Patience is not something that we have but it is rather something we receive.  Without patience, we can not hold our peace.  In the parable of the sower it says, “And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” (Mark 4:16-17) When we lack patience, we are easily offended by our afflictions.  That is why, in the “dark” seasons of life, we must learn to wait on God.  Patience is needed when our weakness is evident.  It is needed when we are tired and help does not immediately come to our rescue.  When all we see is darkness but we continually wait on God to move on our behalf, we need patience.

When we receive joy and peace, we can sometimes get impatient because we feel we have waited long enough.  When we get impatient, the enemy can steal our peace and joy and discourage our hope in God.  It pains our flesh to wait on God for it often seems like we must wait forever.  However, we must recognize that if we are impatient, we will miss out on what God has promised us, give up on God and lose hope in our Savior.

Patience has never been a quality that came easy for me.  In high school, I had to wait for my opportunity to start on the varsity football team.  It was very difficult to work so hard in practice and not be able to compete in the fullest capacity.  It was not that I did not have the ability, it was that someone else already held the position that I wanted.  I knew I was ready to start and I was angered that my coach did not see my readiness.  Then when I least expected to play, my coach put me in the game; it was my time to earn his respect.

On the play, I went to block my opponent and was overpowered.  The opponent then hit the ball carrier, causing him to fumble.  It was my fault; I was not ready to succeed at that level and I was not strong enough to compete against my opponent.  It was a humbling experience for me to think that I was ready but because of my impatience, I did not realize that I had not fully developed myself to compete against my opponent.  Many people made mistakes that day but mine cost me playing time.  At the end of the season, I committed myself to becoming the best player I could be, mentally and physically.

Are we really ready for what God desires for us to do?  Are we prepared for the responsibilities that His blessings require of us?  Patience is our ally; it allows us the time to prepare and learn from our mistakes.  If it was not for my failures, I would have never developed into the football player that I was as a senior.  In life, we must embrace waiting, for it allows us to be strengthened and helps us to understand what it takes to have dominion in Christ Jesus.  It hurts to see others being blessed while we are waiting for our opportunity.  Just remember that God always saves His best for last.  It is not how we start but it truly is how we finish.

David was anointed king of Israel as a young man but did not become king until he was thirty years old.  He patiently waited for God to promote him into his ordained position.  He had the opportunity to take the throne from Saul but reverenced God’s ability to place him as king when the time was appointed.  Through humility, God prepared David for his anointing.  We have been anointed and have been given a great calling but only God can place us right where our gifts can glorify Him.

In the process of going through our afflictions, we are made perfect and complete for our divine calling.  When we are able to visualize our deliverance and see the greatness in us, we usually want it to happen right away.  We want to be free, we want to be healed and we want to be appreciated but God wants us to be patient.  God is so patient with us that He will wait until we become patient in order to bring us into “daybreak.”  God is not delaying the light, we are.  Waiting is not bad, it is life-changing.  It enables our lives to be transformed, even in one night.

When leaves grow on a tree, we often admire their beauty and we forget about the bareness that the tree endured.  When we too are developed and thriving, we forget about the struggle.  God has a purpose for our “bareness;” it is to bring us into His beauty so that when people see us, they ultimately see Him.  This is the benefit of patience; to be able to appreciate the beauty of the Lord.  We can behold His greatness and bask in His presence.

My family often takes trips to our local zoo and during those trips I sometimes allow the atmosphere to cause me to miss the beautiful animals and scenery that I came there to see.  I rush through the zoo because of the large crowds and don’t really appreciating my time there.  When we are in the midst of life’s storms we, too, let our eagerness to get out of the storm to distract us from seeing the beauty of the Lord.  We miss His blessings and His presence because we are focused on our circumstances.  We are in such a hurry but we don’t realize that we really aren’t going anywhere.

It does not matter how hard we try to expedite the process, our situation will not change until its’ appointed time.  Although our situation won’t change, by being patient, we can be changed through the process.  To enter into a storm and come out the same is a travesty.

The storm’s purpose is to make us grow stronger in God.  While we are waiting on God, we are given faith, joy and peace, and these things begin to change us and perfect us.

In writing my first book, Humbly Submitting to Change, I had to learn to be patient.  Once I had finished the initial writing process, I felt that the book was ready to be published.  I was so eager to get the word out, that I became frustrated when I could not release it right away.  I felt like I was sitting in a stalled car that I knew actually worked, but something was just preventing it from moving forward.  It was not until I surrendered my heart and the book to God, that it began to make progress again.  As I began to slowly move forward, and not in a hurry, I saw flaws in the book that I was able to easily change.  The more I moved forward, the more I enhanced the book and was able to refine it.  If I would have printed it when I initially wanted to, it would have been a huge disappointment for me later, and I would have been ashamed of all the flaws.  God, knowing that what I was holding onto was not complete, did not allow it to go any further until I slowed down and opened my heart to Him.

Abram’s wife, Sarai, had a “bright” idea to give Abram a child by her servant, Hagar. (Genesis 16)  Through her hurried decision, the little baby boy became an eyesore to her. (Genesis 21:9-10)  Every time we see our own eyesore, our eyes and our hearts cringe.  It is a blessing to rather be patient and wait on God to deliver us out of our frustrating situations.  When we make decisions out of our frustration, we seem to only make matters worse.

Joseph could smell the “morning” and even found liberation while in prison but it was still prison.  So, when he interpreted the dreams of the butler and the cook, he told him to make sure the king heard of his gift.  However, the man forgot about Joseph and Joseph remained in jail for another two years. (Genesis 40:23 – 41:1) Joseph had the favor of God in His life and he had the presence of God dwelling within him but it was not his appointed time to be released from that prison.  If he would have been released he would have returned to his father’s house and would have missed his divine destiny.  He would have starved in the famine right along with everyone else.  Nevertheless, God kept Joseph in prison to keep him out of trouble.

Many of us also have to remain in “darkness” because if the “day” broke on us too soon, we would miss our divine destiny and we would go back to where God has pulled us out of.  Though waiting is agonizing to our “flesh,” it is fulfilling to our spirit, for it prepares us for our future and gives us the capacity to handle God’s blessings.

Purified

3:00AM

“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:26-27)

It is time to “hit the showers.”  It is time to be unclothed before God and allow His word to wash and purify us clean.  When enjoying the morning light, if it’s beheld through a dirty window, the dirt distracts us from appreciating the beauty of the sunrise.  Now, God is about to go on display.  He is about to rise up His Son through us, but His Word must first cleanse off all spots and specks.  His word reaches down to the roots of iniquity (unbelief) that have attached themselves to our heart.  We want to worship God and we want to praise Him but our lives are not clean.  Iniquity has also created breaches in our temple that only God’s Word can repair.  Our temple must be cleansed and sanctified so that the light of God can inhabit our hearts.

I saw a commercial being aired that compared two different bars of soap.  On the surface of the skin, they both seemed to clean the body but after a closer look, one bar did not remove all the dirt.  While the other bar cleansed completely.  When we read God’s Word and we go to church and pray, we look “clean but are our lives truly washed in the blood of the Lamb?  To be purified, our hearts need a fresh cleansing in the blood of Jesus.  He can cleanse the stains of our past and He can remove our wickedness by the stroke of His word.  Just like without patience, we can go no further towards our destiny without being purified.  We need to be purified deeper than a surface level cleansing; where our heart is pure before God.

In the heart of “darkness,” we can see God.  We have endured many afflictions and pain during this “dark” time but we have now come to the place where we can see God.  Though our natural circumstances may still seem dark and bleak, we are drawn by the light of His Word and are brought to the feet of God.  We will see God while it is day and we will experience the glory of His presence but in the depths of “darkness,” the beauty of God is magnified.  We see God in the simplicity of His existence; we see Him in us.  Being purified by His beauty allows our lives to be purged from the unfruitful works of our flesh and anoints us to dwell in His presence.

David found himself in yet another “night” season.  He had just been enlightened about the sin he committed with Bathsheba.  The child that was born out of this sinful act was stricken with an illness that threatened its life.  David fasted for the child, finding no comfort in anything.  So, he covered himself in ashes.  When news came that the child had died, immediately David got up, washed up and ate.  David understood something that many of us don’t realize; He understood the necessity of moving forward.  When the child was dead, he accepted the will of God and purified himself from his past; he moved on. (II Samuel 12 1-24)

To be purified in this hour means that we are anointed to move forward and our past is washed away.  Our past no longer has control of our future.  We are free to worship God with a clean heart and not because we are perfect, but because we serve a God that has great things for us that can only be obtained through the sacrifice of our past.  Whatever words of condemnation have been spoken over us, whatever death sentence has been decreed over our afflicted bodies, whatever wound that is tender to the touch, and all have an appointment with the Master.  He has come to wash away the pain that has savaged our lives.

When Jesus knew He had all power in His hands, He girded himself and began to wash the feet of His disciples. (John 13:3-5)  What a telling picture of humility and love that our God has given us through His Son.  In the midst of His own “night” season, Jesus took the time to purify the lives of His followers.  We, like the apostles, can have no part with Christ unless He “washes our feet.” (John 13:8)  After our Savior has “washed our feet,” we are then able to complete our journey on to “daybreak.”

Our “feet” have traveled from afar and have witnessed all of our past experiences first-hand.  They have been the vehicle for which we have journeyed, seeking God and the answers to our questions.  They reflect our mistakes and unhealthy habits.  They carry the weight of our body and distinguish our example towards others.  Jesus has to wash us in the waters of His Spirit so that our lives can be led into the manifestation of His glory.  Our bodies have been made clean through one act of humility from our King.

My wife once told me something that was so amazing and profound.  Before a diamond is sold, the diamond handler must cut it to their desired shape; thus, leaving chips and debris all over the diamond.  So, the diamond must then be cleansed from it all before it can be put on display.  Our “daybreak” is soon to come and God is about to put Himself on display through us.  As God begins to cut and shape us into His image, He first removes all of the uncleanness that has corrupted our being.  His goal is to make us shine and sparkle so that His Glory can be seen through our lives.  Jesus comes in and cleanses our hearts so that we can be used to bring the Father glory and what an amazing treasure we are in the sight of God!  God loves us so much and desires for us to be purified so that we can become “one” with Him.

I once saw a home video of a woman trying to wash her cat in the sink.  As the cat approached the sink, it cleaved close to the owner, fearful of the water.  The more the owner tried to put the cat in the water, the more the cat fought against it and tried to get away.  The owner – not deterred by the cat’s fearful actions – did not give up hope for the cat, and continued to place it over the water.  Finally, the cat gave up and the owner was able to wash it and make it clean.

No matter how much we fight against the “water” we cannot go any further until we give up fighting and submit to the cleansing process.  Peter resisted Christ from washing his feet but when he understood the necessity of being cleansed, he submitted his whole body to be washed clean. (John 13:9)

God has His hands on us.  He has taken us through so much and has prepared a “bath” for us.  We can’t be afraid of the water, for it will remove the dead skin and give us a shine that will draw others to appreciate the God in us.  When Joseph came out of prison, the Pharaoh did not see the affects of him being a slave or being a prisoner. (Genesis 41:14)  He only saw a clean man that had been bathed in God’s purifying water and living in His almighty wisdom.

As the day approaches, our hearts are enlightened by the touch of our Friend.  His touch squeezes our hearts and compassion spills out.  Emotionally driven to see the face of our God, we become enveloped by the presence of His love.  The gentleness of His love overwhelms us as we feel each caress that is healing the wounds of our past.  Led by His hand to the waters of grace, fear arises as we are uncertain of its depths but His hand comforts us to go on and we surrender to His guidance and become consumed in His grace.  When we want to come up for air, His hand keeps us underwater.  We can not hold our breath any longer and our mouth flies open.  The waters enter and infiltrate every area of our body and we are flooded to capacity.  His hand then lifts us up, quickening our spirit and transforming us, leaving the old man behind; no longer bound by limitation but purified by His grace to live as a new man.

Hope

4:00 AM

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5)

When we enter into this “hour,” we have great expectations that we will see the manifestation of God’s holy promises.  Although we shine, being cleansed by the waters of grace, we remain planted in “darkness.”  We know that the “day” is coming but all of our circumstances are contrary to what we know is truth.  However, God desires to develop a hope in us that is unashamed.  We have the light of Christ but now we must have the heart of Christ.  God desires for us to have a hope that sees life in the midst of a dead valley; a hope that believes in goodness when the pain of illness grips the bones.  A hope unashamed that is greater than our present circumstance because our hearts are entrusted to the Father of Life.  This hope is true power; a power that can annihilate any evil agent that has been dispatched to destroy us.

God has equipped us to expect greatness, not mediocrity; and we are definitely going to be challenged by the enemy to lower our level of high expectations.  The enemy wants us to think that God will not do great things in our lives and he does not want us to even expect God to be concerned about us.  Whose report will we believe?  God has kept us planted in the “darkness” to develop our hope in Him; a hope that is comforted only by His presence.

At one time, King Asa relied on God when his enemies came to fight against his kingdom and he saw God work His wondrous miracles in delivering them from the hands of the enemy.  However, when he was faced with one of his enemies, he did not place his expectation in God, but rather in man.  He brokered a deal with another king to fight on his behalf and allowed him to keep his peace.  He was ultimately rejecting God when he did not place his heart into His hands. (II Chronicles 16)

When we expect great things in God, God does great things.  The enemy knows this, and that is why he tries to use our afflictions and failures to steal our expectations.  If we lose our heart by the intimidation tactics of the enemy, we will lose our hope of deliverance.  The closer we are to our “daybreak,” the more we need to expect God to move miraculously in our lives.

In school, before we can move to the next grade level, there is a test.  Without the test, there is no promotion, no promotion party and no promotion gifts.  All that we have learned and the power we have obtained will be judged by how we do on this single test.  In life, no matter what “quizzes” we have failed or what “homework” we do not understand, we have towards our “test” with the expectation that we are going to ace it.  When we believe we are going to fail, we fail.  When we place our hope solely in the hands of Christ, we cannot fail but are victorious.  The three Hebrew boys were tested with the fiery furnace but kept their hope in God.  The presence of God delivered and liberated them through their “test” and when they came out, they received their “promotion.” (Daniel 3)

Our hope is what enhances our purity; it turns the “knob” to our breakthrough.  When I am getting ready to take a shower, I don’t enter the water immediately because the water is not hot enough.  By turning on the switch, I prepare myself to enter into the shower at the temperature I desire.  Our hope turns us towards God; it positions us to be “showered” with the blessings and promises of God.  If we lose hope, we lose our expectations of God and we can’t receive anything from Him if we don’t expect that it’s coming.

When we are approaching any one of my children’s birthday, they begin to express their expectations.  They envision their blessing, months before their birthday comes, expecting “Mama” and “Dada” to prepare something special for that day.  We should expect more from our Heavenly Father as we approach our “daybreak!”  He is preparing our “promotion” party; to do something special and miraculous in our lives as long as we continue to keep hope in Him.

Our soul is anchored in the hope that God’s Word is true.  When Gideon heard the word from God that there were too many people in his army and that he was going to lead only three hundred men down to go against the Midianites, he had to remember the signs that God showed him in order to keep hope that God would do what He promised.  Regardless of how much we like to criticize Gideon for asking God to give him signs, we must understand something about Gideon.  He had a poor upbringing, he was the least of his family and all he had even known was captivity.  Gideon had a slave mentality.  So, God had to reveal His power to Gideon for him to be able to retain hope when the odds were against him.  Gideon’s hope in God was so great that when he was told they would not have weapons but lamps, he did not become doubtful and fearful but went to battle anyways!

Hope is eternal; it lasts forever.  So when our circumstances are bleak and we are wondering when the “storm” will pass, we can hold fast that our hope in Christ will endure the difficulty of our circumstances.  Our hope is greater than our dark afflictions for they are only temporary and subject to change.  However, God’s Word endures and strengthens all who put their trust and hope in Him.  The “test” seems so daunting because it seems to have no end but everything that is visible has an end.  Our hope changes our circumstances; it changes us.

Abraham heard God and believed Him, but naturally, what God said was without reason.  He was a childless, old man that was given a promise of a son.  He waited and did not doubt the promise because he believed and expected God to do it. (Romans 4:18-22)  Then after 25 years, his wife bore him a son.  God then speaks to him again and tells him to sacrifice his only son on an altar.  Abraham trusted and hoped in God so much that he obeyed and took his son to the altar.  However, as he went to slay his son, God interfered and immediately provided a ram for a substitute.  Abraham hoped, even when everything seemed impossible.

As we get closer to the “daybreak,” our hope in God will be tested as well.  Nevertheless, being hopeful in desperate times provokes us to an obedience that is naturally impossible.  When we are fearful and hopeless, we will not “slay our son.”  As a matter of fact, we are not going to do anything outside of our own reasoning.  Nevertheless, when our weaknesses are tested and our lives are pressed, we move in obedience for our expectation in Christ is that He will regard us.

When Isaac and his people were told to leave the land of the Philistines, he searched for a land that they could call “home.”  Every time they found a place that was good, the people of the land would argue and fight them for possession, forcing Isaac to continue to look for land.  Then they would travel to another place and found it was nice, but still had to fight the people of the land.  Finally they came to a land that was exceedingly great and they did not have to fight for it!  The enemy wanted to discourage Isaac from expecting to find a place that came without a battle and that he would never be able to find the well that he could call his own.  Because Isaac’s expectation was greater than his circumstance, he continued to hope for a place that was prepared by God. (Genesis 26:17-34)

Moving from one “level” to another can seem discouraging but it actually draws us closer to the place that God has prepared for us.  When we expect to see goodness we will see goodness.  When we seek righteousness, we receive righteousness. (Matthew 5:6)  If we hold onto hope, we will receive all that we hoped for and more. (Ephesians 3:20)

Joshua brought the children of Israel across the Jordan River and they arrived at a place where they were going to have to expect God to bless them.  They had lived eating manna for the past forty years but now they were going to live on the food of their promised land.  They had to hope for more than what they had seen in the wilderness, and they were going to have to claim all that God had prepared for them.  What was in them was greater than what they lacked.  Their hope rested in the promise that their needs were going to be filled.  In the morning, they found themselves on the brink of destiny, marching closer to the manifestation of another miracle of God.

Silence

5:00 AM

Shouts reign above our heads and ring in our hearts.  Laughter and heckles erupt as our enemies gaze upon us.  For six days, they have seen us walk around their city in silence.  Not one word has been uttered and they cannot understand why we have not responded to their words.  This day, however, is different.  At an accelerated pace we travel around their city continuously until we have traveled seven times around.  Our actions have spoken loudly, even without words uttered and the city is ours for the taking.  Our silence then leads to a shout that shakes the heavens.  God tears down the walls that stood between us from taking the city and we walk right in. (Joshua 6)

Can you imagine being able to see the walls of Jericho fall flat?  In this journey from “night” to “morning,” we have traveled to our “wall” of separation; the “wall” of limitations.  It is a place that has hindered our thinking and has shielded us from seeing the reality of God’s supernatural presence and power.  This is a wall that must be destroyed for us to possess the promises of God but our words have no power over this wall – its strength remains.  So why waste our breath?  It is time to demonstrate our faith through actions; it is time to walk around the “walls” in silence.  The greater the enemy tries to provoke us to respond, the more powerful our steps must become.  The more he says, the more we let our feet retaliate in our walking.  Our silence provokes God’s Spirit to fill us with power.  When unleashed, it has the strength to destroy all that stands in its way.

Jesus Christ, betrayed by a disciple and abandoned by all His followers, found Himself alone on the journey to His “wall.”  His accusers gave false witness against Him.  Yet, in all of the events that transpired, He never opened His mouth to defend himself.  Completely misunderstood by the world in a time where His words could have saved His life, He pleaded silence.  He had no time to wrestle with flesh and blood; He had a “wall” to meet.  So, for His silence, He suffered.  He endured more pain and agony than what is humanly possible to endure.  The soldiers and the crowd heckled Jesus as He hung on the cross, mocking His teaching and life but He did not speak to them.  As he approached the end of His journey to the “wall,” in the ninth hour where darkness had consumed the earth, something within Him cried with a loud voice, “It is finished!”  Jesus, in that moment, proclaimed that it was a new day.  The “wall” fell flat and the veil (His flesh) was torn so that His people could enter into the promises of God.  It is finished; no more separation and no more rituals.  Through His silence, He was able to destroy the “wall” that had separated man from God.  It is through Jesus Christ’s flesh that we have access to a relationship with God. (Hebrews 10:20)

Everything that we have endured is finished.  Time has run out and our “day” is about to begin.  The “darkness” had its chance to destroy us but it is over now.  Jesus has paid the price for us to access His light and He has prepared us for display.  Following Christ and carrying our cross has not been in vain for we have come to the place where our “cup” will run over.

Have you ever been in a place where you had to be silent?  Where you had to suffer without anyone knowing you were in pain?  If Jesus would have come down off the cross and broke His silence, hope would have never come.  The question is, will we stay on the cross and suffer silently?  The darkest hour is just before the break of day and if we can hold our silence, we can receive our victory.  As we inch closer to “daybreak, our enemy fights to get us to break our silence.  If Jesus had not died we would have no Savior and no future but because of His death, we are reconciled back to God and have the opportunity to live in Him. (Romans 5:10)

Our silence liberates unbelievers; it delivers our accusers and heals the wounds of our abusers.  Our silence invokes the power of grace to change the world.  Jesus never conquered a city.  He did not travel the world.  He changed the world by hanging on a cross silently and enduring agony so that the world could be saved.  Our silence shows God’s love to the world.  It imparts the love of Christ towards man and destroys the strongholds of pride and sin from their lives.  Our silence speaks louder than words, for it rings grace into the hearts of men.

For over four hundred years, God remained silent; not one word was spoken to a prophet or priest.  Man remained enslaved to sin, unable to fulfill the law.  Then, out of the darkness, God spoke through the birth of His Son.  The silent years brought forth God’s best, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Just as God did through His Son, when our silent hour comes, everything that we have inside is applied to our lives.

When in school and taking a test, it must be taken in silence.  So we are not able to lean on anything else except what is already in us.  The reward is too great for us to give up now.  As the “test” applies itself to us in life, we must apply ourselves to the “test.”  Surrendering to the silence will lead us to the light of God’s glory.

As Jesus hung on the cross, He spoke something so revelatory.  He said, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)  This passage revealed the humanity of Jesus Christ to me.  I, too, have been in the “silent hour” of testing and have wondered where God was.  I questioned why He had not come to my rescue.  The pain of this “hour” is excruciating and it feels as though we have been left to endure our affliction alone.  We remain there, in pain and on the verge of death, scrutinized by our enemies, and our loved ones are filled with sorrow as they watch us suffer.   Jesus Christ did something amazing while He was on the cross; He surrendered to God.  In commending His spirit, death had no power over Him. (Luke 23:46)

His spirit was in the hands of the Almighty God, and through our submission, our lives are also in the hands of the Almighty.  Our submission to Christ is our declaration of dependence to His authority.  We are not going back; we are committed to the plan and the will of God.  God has brought us to this point and though the pain is excruciating, we find comfort in holding the hand of our Savior.  What is in us is about to be birthed and all the pain will not compare to the joy that will come when we are done.  As we travail, God’s hand tells us that though we are going through pain He is there with us.  Our new beginning is on the crest of the horizon and nothing can stop us from seeing our “new day.”

We painfully await the moment to push.  Then, God speaks, “I declare that nothing shall be the same.  I have ordered for your release and your chains are loose through the blood of my Son.  It is finished; all that has attacked and afflicted you has been broken through the life of My Son.  You shall not go back but your life is moving into the day of joy.  Embrace your change, for the shell has been broken, the rigid edge of doubt and fear has been cast out and only My Love remains.  Your construction is complete.  Your film has been developed and the image that shall appear is the reflection of my Son.  Open your eyes for the scales have fallen.  You are in position to see the SONrise.  Behold the beams for they are upon you, they have weaved a web upon your heart and attached His light to your life.  Lift up your head for the dawn of day has come.  Receive the Son in all His Glory for He has come.”  IT IS DAYBREAK!!

Day

6:00 AM

After traveling through the darkness, we begin to see a glimmer of light breaking forth.  The climb to the top of this mountain has been hard and rough but as we move past the clouds and reach the summit we are in position to see the full glory of the sunrise.  Out of breath from the climb and suffering from the high altitude, our lungs are emptied but then immediately filled by the breath of God.  We take a seat while gazing at the clear sky and what we have waited for suddenly appears.  The Light of the world arises out of darkness and covers us with His beauty.  Whatever wounds we have are now healed by His Glory.  The Glory of the Lord shines upon us and we become a new creature in Him.  We are not the same, for we have encountered the Living God and He now remains in us.  The God of the day and night has manifested Himself on us and a glory that cannot be comprehended is released into our hearts.  It is a new day and all that we have endured has passed away.  We are free to walk in the newness of life.

God has manifested what He has promised and the “stone” has been rolled away.  Imagine Lazarus; dead in his grave, consumed in darkness and separated from the presence of Jesus Christ.  He was had been dead for four days, carrying the stench of death and wrapped in dirty rags.  Lazarus had waited for his friend Jesus to come to him while he was yet alive and he held on to his belief that Jesus was coming to him, even unto death.  Then, out of darkness, the stone was rolled away and the Son called for him to come into the light. (John 11)

The journey of Lazarus has become our journey as well.  We have trusted and believed God and have endured many afflictions, even to the point of death.  We have been placed in a tomb – our place of darkness – and we have been bound in the garments of this world.  Through it all, we still have held onto our faith and love for God.  He promised that He would come to us and even death cannot prevent us from receiving what He has promised.

As Jesus stands before the “wall” that separates us from Him, the “stone” is rolled away.  The Light shines into our tomb, and we are called forth by the voice of God to be resurrected and walk into the light of His Glory.  We are loosed of the garments of death and flesh and become clothed in the righteousness of our Savior.  Every person that sees us now sees the Glory of God.  Any man or woman that was bound in an affliction and died can now be resurrected into the image of God by the presence of Jesus.

Lazarus was already a friend of Jesus Christ but now he and the world saw Him as a Savior.  Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, for His love reaches in the lowest parts of the earth and His grace brightens the darkest of any situation.  God’s love casts out all darkness and establishes us in His righteousness.  It is His Word that changes our darkness and enlightens our path.  Every step we take now is according to the life of Christ.  There is no denying what God has done in us and through us.  Our lives testify of His power and speak of His goodness.  Our “day” is a day of testimony that liberates those who are chained in darkness.  Those that are seeking the face of God can see God through the purity of our new life; a life not bound by its circumstances but rather freed by the Spirit of our Lord and Savior.  As we arise and behold the Glory of our God, the world is drawn to Christ through witnessing the “night” that we have been delivered from.

The Pharisees could not deny what God had done for Lazarus, and Lazarus had caused such a stir that they thought about killing him. (John 12:10)  This man had just been revived by God and man wanted to kill him again!  When Jesus brings us into His life, we are not afraid of death anymore, for we have “been there” and “done that.”  In Christ Jesus, we are overcomers that can’t be denied access to the liberty that a life in Christ offers.  The promise has come and shines continually over us like a rainbow after a storm.  We are standing on the promises of God, partaking of His Goodness, our name has been changed, and we are bringing light to the darkness of others.

We are the day-breakers; breaking every yoke that has found its “home” on the people of God.  The Glory of God goes before us and breaks the chains of the bonds. (Isaiah 60:1-2)  What a joy it is to know that after such trying times and endless tears, we are consumed in the joy of the Lord.  We can stand in the midst of the “day” or “night” and remain doubtless in the heart of adversity.  We have learned to be content with and through all that life brings our way. (Philippians 4:11-13)  Now, we are no longer bound by the world, for our God has overcome this world, and in Him we are able to walk on top of our circumstances.  We are fearless, for we have experienced the power of God.  When all of our hope seemed to be lost, Christ came to our rescue.  It is a new “day” and new beginning to a life that is eternally sealed by the Spirit of our Living God.  We did not give up, and now the God of Light has revealed Himself strong in us.  Hallelujah!! Praise the Lord, it is morning!!

Morning Time

In the morning, deliverance is sure.  Everything that we have endured has drawn us closer to God and blessed us with a testimony of our Great God.  Though the storms of life are real and some of us are still in the dark, never forget that the promise will come in the morning.  It is a promise that is guaranteed.  The “darkness” is there to provoke us to look within ourselves and to see the light that dwells within our hearts.  Weeping may endure for a night but the harvest of joy comes in the morning. (Psalms 30:5)

Now, you are in the morning.  You have crossed over into the promise and you are awaiting the manifestation of it.  In the morning, God has joy, peace, love and righteousness that He imparts into you.  So, when darkness comes, remember that what you see is not your reality, for your reality and faith is in the hands of God.  When you hold on to God and the “day” breaks, everyone – believers and unbelievers alike – will be touched by what God has done for you.  Don’t fret or be discouraged, for God is working greatness through you.  You were made for this moment.  You were conditioned for your storms and you were created to overcome all the storms that come your way.

Years ago, when I worked, I would receive a pay stub on the night before “pay day,” to show me what the amount my check would be.  So, I knew how much I was getting paid but the money did not come until the next morning.  Your name is written in Heaven and a “check” of promise has been signed for you.  The “bank” of Heaven is only waiting for the access to your heart to make a “direct deposit.”  God has a deposit of healing, love, freedom, redemption, salvation, restoration of relationships and much more.  Whatever “check stub” God gives you, be committed to keeping your evidence, for in the morning, your check will be available and ready for your use.  What a blessing you shall be to your family, your friends and to the world!  What God gives you, will supply the needs for all that you encounter.  Take courage, your “deposit” is available, for you are now in the morning.

PART II

LAST HOURS OF CHRIST

THE GRIEF OF GETHSEMANE – OIL PRESS

(Mark 14:32-41 ~ Luke 22:39-46)

Beside a stone, tears of anguish roll down His face. His soul groans for relief but the pressure increases ever so close to His heart.  Holding the weight of the world upon His shoulders, He struggles to carry the burden of our sins.  The grief of yielding to the Father’s Will has caused Him to hurt deep within.  The hour of temptation has taken its toll as sorrow surrounds Him in the shadows of darkness.  Prayer after prayer, He cries out to God, yet there is no answer.  It has already been given; the plan has already been revealed and it is time for His life to be sown.  His very life is the seed that must be broken to yield the harvest of souls that He will heal.  As the world presses upon His bones and His spirit moans, the reality of the end sets in.  His flesh will be put to death, for it is a garment of sin.

Can you imagine the pain that Jesus endured while in the garden?  It was a garden that He had prayed in many times before but this time was different. (John 18:1-2)  The reality of the cross had set in and He was about to go through the most difficult twelve hours anyone has ever gone through.  He became burdened with our sins; they were placed on His shoulders and the cup of our salvation was placed in His hands.  A cup of much pain and sorrow that no man could ever digest but Christ held the cup.  He surely desired for the cup to pass from Him but He knew that if it did, we would be doomed and separated from the Father for eternity.  So, in the cool of the evening, He sweated profusely as if He had just lifted three hundred pounds of weight.  The Son of Man held onto the heavy cup and with one decision, yielded to the cross.

BETRAYED AND DESERTED

(Luke 22:47-49 ~ Mark 14:42-50 ~ Matthew 26:46-56)

Betrayed by a kiss.  In one stroke, Judas ignited a chain of events that led Christ to the cross.  Jesus, who raised the dead, healed the sick and fed the hungry, was not seized by a sword but rather, a kiss.  Betrayed by one and deserted by many, Christ found Himself alone without a friend.  Carrying the weight of the world with no one to lean on, Jesus had to swallow the pain of betrayal and desertion.  The night got darker and in the arms of his enemies Jesus had to face the cross alone.

In that dark garden, Jesus remembered the selection of Judas.  Judas was selected by God to fulfill the plan of betrayal, so the betrayal was not surprising to Jesus.  Judas exhibited the wickedness of man and showed the hardness of our hearts.  We draw near to God with our lips but our hearts are far from Him. (Matthew 15:8)  No matter what we think about Judas, his wickedness can be found in our heart when we don’t allow the love of God to fill us.  Christ considered us when He received the kiss of Judas.  Each of us partook in that kiss and showed our fickle love for God.  Jesus Christ carried that kiss so that through the cross we could receive His kiss; a kiss that would transfer unconditional love to us.  In that garden alone, Christ thought about us. (Romans 5:6-9)  He considered the iniquity that we were enslaved to and He carried the pain of our betrayal and desertion so that we could partake of His promise – that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

ALONE IN A CROWDED ROOM

(Matthew 26:57-67 ~ Mark 14:53-65 ~ Luke 22:64-71)

Jesus stood alone to face His accusers; the very people that welcomed Him into the city just days before. They now stood in His presence, accusing Him before the priest.  God standing before them, the One they were anointed to serve, they hated.  In the middle of a crowded room, God stood alone.  With words of venom, the priest lashed out at Jesus.  They dreamed of the day to put Jesus to death.  With no voice of reason, they flung accusation after accusation, rejecting the goodness of Christ.  Jesus stood there misunderstood by the world.  His good was spoken as evil and His life was seen as death.  In bonds and with no way of escape, Jesus remained free.  The truth remained in Him; He could not deny who He was and is.  Though the pressure from the crowd drew closer to Him, He knew the truth.  The truth was, they needed a Savior.  So, the more they hated Him, the more He loved them.  Finally, Jesus broke His silence and said, “I am He.” I AM GOD.

What should have caused joy and worship, instead, caused the men to be infuriated.  This is not the God they knew.  He did not resemble the God they had learned of and with no respect for who He was, they rejected Him.  With every stroke of rejection, Jesus stood there loving His enemies because He knew that He was the world’s only hope.  A “candle” that the priest wanted to cover up, continued to shine through the darkness of that room.  Spit on and beaten, Jesus still held His peace.  He held the very thing the priest wanted to strip from Him but Jesus would not break.  He, in the midst of complete isolation, endured the blows in silence.

BEATEN BEYOND RECOGNITION

(Isaiah 53:2-5, 11 ~ John 19:1 ~ Matthew 27:26-27)

He was soaked in blood as the whips stripped away His flesh.  With every stroke, the sound of pain echoed into the ears of onlookers.  Ever so painful, the body of Jesus laid there in the fetal position, unable to shield the blows of the Roman soldiers.  He became weak.  So weak, yet, He was so strong; giving His body to the beating that we deserved.  We are not innocent but He considered us anyway.  Covering us from the unyielding blows of the whip, Jesus endured the pain and beating.  The blood flowed out of His body like a river through a broken dam; flooding the inhabitants that are below.  The strikes that we deserved for our sins were “paid” at the cost of Jesus.

Healing our insufficiency and covering our pain, Jesus Christ took on the beating so that His blood could reign.  The healing of all diseases is found in His blood.  Healed from the disease of sin and cleansed from the stain of iniquity, Christ considered our debt and yielded His body.  His body was beaten and broken beyond recognition so that we could be created anew.

Time after time, the soldiers continued to torment our King; laughing and mocking as His blood flowed like rain.  In spite of their efforts, they could not break His heart, for His love for us kept Him in the path of every blow.  What a Savior and King that loves us so!  In light of their efforts the Son shined so bright that He lit up the night.  What power and strength our God showed as the whips connected with His flesh.  He opened not His mouth in spite of the pain that He felt.

No matter what disease or sickness we endure, our pain and agony can be healed by His cure – the Blood of Jesus Christ.

CROWNING MOMENT

(John 19:2-3 ~ Mark 15: 17-20 ~ Matthew 27:28-31)

In humiliation of being beaten and stripped of all dignity by the Roman soldiers, Jesus gasped for mercy from on High.  What more could they do to Him?  Was it not enough to beat Him?  As He sat in a well of blood, a crown was formed for our King; a crown that only He could wear.  Like a seed that is sown into the ground to bring forth precious fruit, Jesus Christ was in the midst of the thorns.  A crown of thorns was the honor that He received for His humiliation.  Crowned the King of the Jews, Jesus Christ became the King of the World.

When Adam sinned, God cursed the ground and declared that Adam would toil with thorns his whole life. (Genesis 3:17-18)  So as the thorns pierced the head of Jesus, His blood saturated the earth with love.  His blood fertilized the cursed ground to bring fruits of righteousness in us.  To all that believe in the King, the drops of His blood fall on and remove the thorns that have attached themselves to our lives.  Every step He took, He left a drop of His blood and the earth is now righteous because of His blood.

He is the King of the rejected and the forgotten.  He is the King that sacrificed Himself for our protection.  As the soldiers laughed and mocked Him as the “King of the Jews,” Jesus received the title with honor.  He accepted the responsibility, even when the people hated who He was.  He loved His crowning moment, for it sealed the lives that would follow after Him.  The crowning moment was a moment of much pain and as the curse was laid upon His head, it found its resting place.  However, the curse would die with Him; it would no longer hang over us, for it was laid to rest. (Galatians 3:13)  What a wonderful King we have in Jesus, for He has destroyed the curse and freed us from our bondage, all in one crowning moment.

SHOUTS UNTO THE KING

(John 19:5-16 ~ Luke 23:13-23)

Standing in the puddle of His Blood, with the Roman soldiers sarcastically bowing their knees in reverence to Him, Jesus is presented to Pilate.  As Pilate looks upon Jesus, he finds no fault in Him.  Pilate, ready to put an end to all this madness, orders the release of Jesus but from the midst of the crowd, a cry rattles his countenance.  “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

In unity, the crowd shouted for the blood of the King but they did not know what they were asking for.  “Let His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:25)  They meant it for evil but God used their words to speak prophetic blessings over them.  To be covered with the blood of the Lamb is to be blessed beyond measure.

If Joseph had not been thrown into the pit, the promised family would have died of starvation from the famine.  If the three Hebrew boys would have bowed their knees to the golden seal, God would have never been seen in the fire.  Jesus heard the cry of the people.  He heard their need for His sacrifice.  Their shouts were necessary for the “wall” to fall.  So, they shouted unto their King.  They let their voice be heard and it still rings in the hearts of all unbelievers.  “Crucify Him!”

Christ thought of us as He stood in the presence of the violent crowd.  He heard our cries for a Savior and a King and in the midst of hatred, Christ loved.  Loving the unclean and unworthy, He accepted the shouts of His people; a people lost in the filth of sin but he still desires to cover us in His blood.  Moved with compassion to see us free, He physically remained bound.  While shackled in chains and blood streaming down His head, He took the fall for us.  What an act of love and humility to hear shouts of hate, and still love the very people that rejected Him.  What a king we have in Jesus Christ!

CARRYING THE BURDEN OF GOD

(Luke 23:26 ~ Mark 15:21 ~ Matthew 27:32)

Traveling on that lonely path to Golgotha, Christ was beaten and bruised and struggled to carry the cross on His shoulders.  Without strength to continue on, Simon was commissioned to carry Jesus’ burden.  Imagine being called to carry the cross of Christ.  The weight of that burden is too heavy to carry alone.  Step by step, Jesus and Simon carried the cross to Calvary.  The reward of carrying the cross was not measured in silver and gold but rather measured in the blood stained weight of the cross that Simon carried.  The hatred of Jesus fell on Simon as well.  When people spat at Christ, their spit landed on Simon.  When they cursed Jesus, it came in Simon’s direction as well.  When Jesus was hit, it made the weight of the cross even harder for Simon to bear.  Blinded by their hatred for Jesus, they could not see that they were hurting the man that was called to help carry this cross. In transparency, Simon suffered.  He walked in the steps of Christ and was persecuted for it.  He did not ask for this burden but he was chosen for it.

We have been chosen to carry the cross with Christ and we will be hated for His namesake.  The persecution is not because of us but because Christ is with us.  The world sees Him in us and they hate it.  Our “death” is our ultimate reward, for it is when Christ is seen through us that He draws all men unto God.  The burden is not ours to bear, it is Christ’s.  So, like Simon, we must endure the pain, the hatred, and suffering so that Christ can be lifted up in our lives. (John 12:32)  Carrying the burden of God is what we were made for so that the world knows the love that God has for His people.

NAILED TO THE CROSS

(Colossians 1:14-22, 2:10-14 ~ Ephesians 2:16)

Stretched to the limit and then stretched even further, Jesus was aligned for the holes of the cross he bore.  There our King, in open shame, endured the penetrating nails into His hands and feet.  The hands that had restored sight to the blind and the feet that traveled far and wide bringing peace to all that believed were now being subjected to the tormenting pain that the nails presented.  Nailed in innocence and with open hands, Jesus received our guilt and punishment.  With every blow penetrating deeper into the cross, the blood of His innocence dripped for us.  His blood that carries so much power has been transferred into the hands of all that believe.  Withholding nothing from us, Christ nailed our guilt to the cross.

What an amazing gift Jesus Christ is to us, to endure the pain and to live with holes so that we can be whole.  We now have a wholeness that endures, because the pain He endured enables us to endure!  He yielded His feet to such brutality so that we could walk in peace.  The countless mistakes and acts of disobedience are nailed to the cross for those that believe and receive Jesus Christ.  What mercy has Jesus bestowed to us!  His mercy endures forever, even when we are unthankful and evil, Jesus is still merciful to us. (Luke 6:35)

Screaming in pain as the soldiers broke through His flesh, Jesus laid his Hands on our affliction.  He took hold of our iniquity and replaced it with His grace.  Everywhere we walk, we are reminded of the nails in His feet.  We are reminded of the sacrifice He made so that our pain, our illnesses, our abusive relationships and our failures could be redeemed by Him.  No longer are we seen as failures but rather victors in Christ.  In the morning, Jesus redeemed our “morning,” so that we could have access to the presence of our Father and God.

The depth of the nails has no end, for in the holes that were created; we find a resting place to dwell in Christ’s body.  We fill the void left in the hands and feet of our God. We are joint-heirs with Christ, literally, through a hole.  What a marvelous treasure we receive, as through one man’s suffering, we become grafted into a life with our Heavenly Father.  Without the nails and the holes, there would be no place for us.  Thank you Jesus for creating a way to God through the holes that were left for us!

REDEEMED ON A CROSS

(Luke 24:35-43)

Through the noises and voices at Calvary, one voice stood out among the rest.  As hatred flung from the lips of onlookers and soldiers, Christ heard the cry of a criminal hanging from his cross.  “Remember me, remember me,” echoed in the bloody ears of Jesus.

How could a man, while guilty of a crime and worthy of death, believe in Jesus who was too being crucified?  What hope or benefit could he possibly receive when death was imminent?  This man saw what many of us turn our eyes from daily – He saw Christ for who He is.  As the other criminal asked in doubt and pride for Jesus to reveal His power and free them, this man asked in humility to be remembered in spite of his imperfections.  As he endured his cross, Jesus redeemed a man worthy of nothing more than death by giving Him life.  A life beyond the limits of this world; a life of rest in a place called Paradise.

Undeserving but redeemed, we too can relate to the men on the cross.  We are all guilty of transgressions and are worthy of death; we can either receive Christ or reject Him – it is our choice.  One man rejected Christ and died in his sin.  Another man believed in Christ and received forgiveness and salvation through Him.  In the midst of his pain, that man took his focus off of his circumstances, put his eyes on Christ and received the gift of salvation.  Redemption is a choice that is determined by, either our faith or unbelief in who Jesus is.  When we confess our hearts to Christ, He redeems us on our cross and leads us into paradise, a life of rest in Him.

FORSAKEN SON

(Matthew 27:46 ~ Mark 15:34 ~ Psalms 22)

The eternal punishment for our sins is eternal separation from God.  It is to live with no hope, no peace and no love, for all of eternity.  As Jesus hung on the cross at Calvary, He was like a child without His father.  When we are in pain, there is a comfort that only a parent can give to mend the bruises and wounds.  Where was God, when Jesus, His Son, needed Him most?  On the cross, cut off from His Father, Jesus endured as a forsaken son.  His mother watched helplessly as He gasped in pain.  Heaven remained silent as God the Father turned off the “light.” (Luke 24:44)  Covered in darkness and amidst the jeers of his executers, Jesus waited for His Father’s touch and presence but nothing came.  How could it please God to bruise His Son? (Isaiah 53:10) What pleasure is there in the suffering of a child?

God forsook His Son so that He would never have to forsake us; never!  Never is a strong word and it shows the strength of His promise to us.  Jesus hung on the cross alone so that we would never have to be alone.  When a seed is sown into the ground, the sower cannot disturb the seed while it is in the dirt.  The sower takes pleasure in sowing the seed for he knows that it will bring an abundance of fruit.  Likewise, Christ was broken so that His blood could “take root” in the “dirt” that He was being “sown” into.  When a seed is in its sower’s hands, it finds peace, comfort and pleasure.  However, the sower must release the seed so it can become what it was created to be.  Christ was released from the Hands of God so that, in being sown and separated from God, we – the first fruits of Christ – can be reconciled back to the Sower of Life.  In the heartache of isolation and brokenness, Christ never forgot who His Father was.  Although it pained Him to be on His own, He never wanted us to be alone again.  He accepted our curse so that we could receive the promise!

TRANSFER OF SONSHIP

(John 19:25-27 ~ John 14:10-12 ~ II Kings 2:9-15)

To behold the agony of a dear friend, hanging on the cross, pained John.  This was not the Jesus he knew.  He had watched Jesus raise the dead, heal all diseases and speak boldly before multitudes that were lost and hungry.  What a horrifying sight it had to be for the disciple whom Jesus loved.  He stood there, helpless and holding the grieving mother of Jesus.  As they gazed upon the lifted Christ, Jesus looked down upon his mother and friend and said, “Behold thy son, behold thy mother.”

John was not obligated to take care of Mary.  She had other children, so why would Jesus adopt John into the family?  On the cross, Jesus knew his death was imminent but before He died, He needed to transfer His “Sonship” to the disciple whom He loved.  What Jesus had taken care of was now transferred into the hands of His disciple.  What had lived in a close place in His heart was now transferred into the hands and care of John.

When Elijah was about to ascend to heaven, Elisha was with him and was able to catch Elijah’s mantle.  Elisha took off his clothes and began to wear the mantle of his mentor and did even greater works and miracles than Elijah did.  Jesus also transferred the “mantle” to us so that we could carry His ministry on.

Jesus transferred His “Sonship” to us so that all that He cared for would become our care as well.  We are not deserving of the privilege of being a son but Jesus looked on us and called us by His grace.  “Behold thy mother.”  In other words, “Consider what I have given you!”  Take a good look at what you are holding, for it shall stay with you as long as you live.  It was a high demand that Christ transferred over to John in such a desperate time.  What an honor that Jesus has entrusted to us to walk out His plan so that His name can live through those that believe.

IT IS FINISHED

(John 19:29-30 ~ II Corinthians 5:15-21)

Out of darkness, three words changed the course of this world, “It is finished.”  By those words, our hope was born; and the veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom. (Mark 15:38)  All His suffering was worth it when He was able to utter those words.  Nothing was left undone.  Every sin was accounted for on that cross.  No longer would we have to be subject to sin, for our emancipation was ordered and the world was shaken by the death of Jesus. (Matthew 27:51-53)

Lifted high, Jesus took a last look at the world, for He knew after He shut his eyes what He saw would no longer be and that in Him all things would become new.  As the soldiers looked into the heavens looking for Elijah, Jesus looked on them.  He looked beyond their flaws and saw their needs. (Matthew 27:50)  He knew that His suffering had come to an end and all that would believe in Him would never have to taste the sting of death.  It is finished.

The law has come to an end, and through Christ, we can now be reconciled to God.  No more heartless acts of obligation but a heart that is touched and touches God.  Jesus did not come to only start a change to the order of this world, but rather, He came to finish it.  We are saved through faith in Christ; nothing more, nothing less.  Jesus, the finisher of our faith, sealed our fate with three words and we are now seated in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  We are open to a world beyond the circumstances of life.  Jesus fulfilled perfection so that in spite of our imperfections we could see God through Him.  We were overwhelmed and overmatched by the weights of the law and the sin that burdened us from the day of our birth.  However, this was all abolished through the eternal words of Christ.  It is finished.  Our dead end has become our beginning.  We are new creatures and He became sin that we who believe in Him can become the righteousness of God.

PIERCED IN THE SIDE

(John 19:31-37 ~ I John 5:4-8 ~ John 14:6)

Lifeless but still hanging on the cross, a soldier was commanded to break the legs of Jesus.  Seeing that He was already dead, instead, pierced the side of Christ with a spear.  Water and blood flowed out of Jesus and this soldier immediately realized that who He had pierced was no ordinary man, but the Son of God.  Paralyzed in the flow, the man was touched by the blood and his life was forever changed.

“It is not good for man to be alone.”  When the first Adam was pierced in his side, God created a helpmate for him. (Genesis 2:18)  God put Adam to sleep and then created Woman with the rib of Adam. (Genesis 2:21-22)  When the solider pierced Jesus’ side, what was in Jesus, flowed out.  The Spirit of God, our Helper, flowed out of Him and spilled onto the earth. (Joel 2:28)  All who believes is then filled with the same substance that was spilled out of Jesus.  Born of the water and the spirit, through our faith in Jesus, we are formed into oneness with the Spirit of God.  What allowed Jesus to overcome sin and live a sinless life was poured out onto us through faith.  The Helper that leads us into all truth and transforms us into the Image of the Son was poured onto the earth, awaiting a new vessel to reside in.  The Spirit of Jesus Christ lives on through those who believe.  United together through the hole in His side, Jesus gave of Himself so that His substance could fill our voids.

In the morning, Jesus conquered death, overcame sin and gave us His spirit so that our lives, even through the midst of darkness, will always shine the glory of His Light.  God has put us on display so that wherever He positions us, His Son can shine on the darkness in other’s lives.  In the morning, the Son rises on us that believe and remains in us so that through our “oneness,” the world can receive the greatest gift it has ever known: the gift of Jesus Christ – our Way, our Truth and our Life.  Wake up, its morning!

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Printed Word Publishing

Attn: E’yen A. Gardner

P.O. Box 360812

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WEBSITE: www.eyengardner.com

EMAIL: eyengardner@yahoo.com

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

In the Morning

Fear Not 7:00PM

Doubt 8:00PM

Sorrow 9:00PM

Alone 10:00PM

Anger 11:00PM

Joy 12:00AM

Peace 1:00AM

Patience 2:00AM

Purified 3:00AM

Hope 4:00 AM

Silence 5:00 AM

Day 6:00 AM

Morning Time

PART II LAST HOURS OF CHRIST

THE GRIEF OF GETHSEMANE – OIL PRESS

BETRAYED AND DESERTED

ALONE IN A CROWDED ROOM

BEATEN BEYOND RECOGNITION

CROWNING MOMENT

SHOUTS UNTO THE KING

CARRYING THE BURDEN OF GOD

NAILED TO THE CROSS

REDEEMED ON A CROSS

FORSAKEN SON

TRANSFER OF SONSHIP

IT IS FINISHED

PIERCED IN THE SIDE