Press!

Every year God speaks to me at the end of the year concerning the year to come. I haven’t got the message completely, but one word I heard, and I know it is is order is to press! One thing that has been brought to my attention, and I don’t feel I am alone in this, God’s people have gotten too soft! We have forgotten we are in a warfare and we have forgotten that we have “power over all the power of the enemy!”

As I looked up the word “press”, one scripture that caught my eye was this:

15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
16The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
17And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Luke 16:15-17 (KJV)

We go to church, we say that we are pressing into the “fight of faith” – and ye we fail to rememeber that God’s word will stand amidst the greatest of catastrophes. The world is going to hell in a handbasket – laws are being changed daily that will affect not only our future – but will sacrifice the liberty of our children on the altar of “the way that seems right unto a man” – have we forgot that nothing is attained, without a fight?
I have given my life verse before – and I am presenting it again, it is a reminder to me of the way God brought me, and what is at stake if I fail to believe…

32-39Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.

It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.
But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way Hebrews 10:32-39 (MSG)

When I first read this passage, I read it in the KJV – but I love the clarity of the Message Bible – it makes it so plain – no one can mistake the meaning — we came into this new life having to “press” – we’re going to have to “press” until the end – and we’re not quitters, nor are we those who go AWOL – we are on the battlefield for our Lord – we are not going to stay and survive – we are going to thrive –

Speak the Word today! Proclaim your prosperity (total health and well-being) of you, your family, your community, your nation, your world! Let us rise up with a clarion call to disrupt the plans of the enemy – let us prophesy the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ- or haven’t you heard…

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Israel:

“ My way is hidden from the LORD,
And my just claim is passed over by my God”?
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strengthIsaiah 40:27-29 (KJV)

Maria