Your Unlimited Life (18 page)

“Lord, I believe I am healed in the name of Jesus.” Jesus responds, “I can confirm that” (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5).

“Lord, I am prospering and getting out of debt.” God says, “I can get involved in that” (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3).

“The joy of the Lord is my strength. No more depression for me!” The Lord responds, “I can confirm that” (Nehemiah 8:10; Isaiah 54:14-17).

Now God has something to work with because you are starting to change and make godly choices. As long as you are just complaining about your circumstances, the Lord says the same thing to you as He said to Martha. “Lord, I am having a bad day. Don’t You know how my boss treats me?” The Lord says, “Martha, Martha, it’s not only your boss, you have many things that you are troubled about.” Mary has chosen. She made a choice. Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet, hearing the Word, and Martha is worried and troubled, all because of choices.

Paul’s Choice

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.

Philippians 1:21-22

Paul is explaining here that to live is okay, but to die in Christ is better. We are going to have to choose. If I stay and continue to preach, teach, and minister, it will produce fruit for the Kingdom and for this earthly life. Paul realized the value of man’s choice. He understood the gift God was giving to us when He allowed us to choose.

Yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Philippians 1:22-24

Think of it. Here is a guy who is so developed in his relationship with God and in his control of his own will, he says, “Man, I would like to go and be with the Lord right now.”

In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul says,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
In other words, “I have done what the Lord has asked me to do.” So now he is saying to the Philippians, “I would be better off to go be with Jesus. It is a whole lot better than hanging around here. But to stay and minister, teach, and preach would be good for you.”

And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you for your progress and joy of faith.

Philippians 1:25

Paul is writing, “I have made up my mind I am going to stay and keep ministering for your joy in the faith.” In other words, “I will remain.” He made a choice, an act of his will.

The model we see in the New Testament is not one of a rushed life. The Lord is not trying to quickly return, and take us up to heaven so we can get out of the mess that is earth, and enjoy the perfection that is heaven. The New Testament pattern is that of people serving humanity and loving people until the very end of our life. Recognizing the importance of our role on earth is crucial to our success. My wife Wendy always says, “Earth life is short, heaven life is long.” We have the task of making the time count— getting our mind right and choosing God’s plan over our own.

It’s time to quit waiting on the rapture bus and get on with what God wants you to do with your life. You have been given the necessary tools. You have the Word and the power to use it for the process of shifting the way you think to the way God thinks. It is now time to receive a higher level of life for yourself as you walk in the perfect will of God. Receive your unlimited life. Start today.