You Are Rich In His Grace

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
—2 Corinthians 8:9-11

Do you have a vision from God that you believe in with all your heart? Is it something into which you have poured your heart and soul? Perhaps, you haven’t seen the work you’ve done bring you any closer to that vision. Perhaps, you’ve become weary because of constant struggle to complete it. You were the one to whom God imparted the vision. You were the one to get it started. 

“Now finish the work” Paul writes, “according to your means.” 

God's perfect will is for the vision to be completed, but you can't make a vision come to life―even with all that you’ve poured into it and even with all you’ve done to inspire others to catch it. You can only finish to the best of your ability according to what you’ve been given. What you may have forgotten is that you’ve been given everything you need to complete it. When God inspires a vision and you say, “yes,” all the spiritual riches of heaven are at your disposal. It’s not a matter of a lack of resources. It’s a matter of drawing His resources out of the spiritual realm by faith. The enemy will do everything he can to keep you from receiving from God. You must stand against the enemy’s tactics. He wants to destroy the vision God birthed in you. Cooperate with God instead of giving up and bringing joy to the enemy. Remember that God’s timing isn’t yours. You must rest in Him when you’re weary, listening to Him and drawing strength from Him. When God gives a vision, He also supplies you everything you need to complete it. 

Don't ever forget that the vision doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to God. You’re just a yielded vessel for Him to use for His purpose. His vision is fluid. It’s not etched in concrete. You can have an idea of how a vision should pan out, but that is just your perception. His thoughts are greater than yours, and His ways go beyond any preconceived notion. The vision He has imparted to you is only a part of His whole purpose. It’s greater than you can ask or think. He gives you a particular vision to be your focus and to anchor you. Whatever He has imparted to you, it’s your offering back to Him. Realize He owns it. You are to steward His vision. You are to press in and pray, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and give Him room to inspire others to catch it. If it isn’t caught, others made that choice. You can’t change them. Only He can. Lay that vision on the altar. God has never given up. It’s His will. And when you pray His will, believing, He brings to life what you’ve asked of Him.

You’re not the only one with a vision from God. The visions that He imparts to His children are ultimately meant to unify us in His ultimate purpose―to bring the Gospel of Grace to a dying world and to prepare those who believe in Him to live a life of faith that perpetuates the message of His salvation. You are part of God's highest work—His greatest plan. Do whatever He leads you to do with whatever you have now, believing that there is no end to His supply, and trusting Him with as much enthusiasm as when you first stepped out in faith.

The perfect and finished work of Jesus has made you rich in grace. Although He could have had anything―although He had every powerful resource at His bidding―although He was perfectly God and without sin, Jesus became poor for your sake. He humbled Himself, took all of the worst of you and gave you the best of Himself so that you might be free and rich in His grace. 

The vision He imparted to you is just as rich as when you first had it. You have all the wealth of God’s grace. The means to finish the work are available to you, just waiting for you to receive them by faith. Now believe in the inheritance you have in Christ. Your life is His for His purpose. When He’s ready for your vision to manifest, not only will the vision He gave you birth more visions; you and others shall be inspired to receive more grace upon grace for His Kingdom.

The means He has given to complete your vision are outstanding and eternal. Release by faith your vision and see God breathe His life into it.

The Church On The Hill

I’ve sown the Word for decades in my heart, praying for it to be manifested in my life. Through the years, I’ve seen the Lord fulfill many promises in His Word; I’ve waited a long time for others. Now I’m seeing seeds sown many years ago coming into harvest. I’ve made mistakes like anyone else in my Christian walk, but I’m on a continual journey of spiritual discovery that I never want to end. I’m hungry for the Lord to give me wisdom, understanding, and revelation in my knowledge of Him.

According to 1 Corinthians 14, prophecy isn’t just for edification, encouragement, and comfort; prophecy is also a word of knowledge. When the secret of someone’s heart is revealed, it causes him to fall down on his face, worship God, and say that God is truly in this place (1 Corinthians 14:25-26). 

Many Christians who believe in prophecy think that only certain individuals are chosen to prophesy. It’s true that only certain believers are called to the office of a prophet (Ephesians 4:11). However, the spiritual gift of prophecy, listed in 1 Corinthians 12:10, doesn’t refer to the office of a prophet. According to the Word of God, “all” can prophesy. 

“For you can all prophesy, one by one,” Paul writes,” that all may learn and all may be encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31). 

Our pastor declared yesterday morning that he doesn’t want us or our church to miss out on what God has for us.

Months ago, I had a vision of three golden bowls coming together as one. It hung above our congregation. There was a spout, and it was slowly tipping. I could see a thick golden liquid at the edge of the spout just ready to pour. I asked the Holy Spirit what this meant. The Holy Spirit led me to Revelation 5:8. God has heard and gathered all our prayers in his golden bowls of incense in heaven, and our answers are ready to be poured out. His salvation, His healing, His deliverance, and His anointing are waiting to be manifested in this place. But we must do our part. We must empty ourselves and allow God to move without prejudice. We must press in deeply in prayer and petition Him to open the heavens. And when He pours, He shall pour through our yielded hearts into the lives of a starving people. Compassion will be as water turning into new wine. And this outpouring of heaven will flow through and out of us into Anniston and all around.

Thirty-five years ago I was driving up Quintard Avenue past this church on the hill, which was Harvest Temple at the time. I was listening to Dr. David Yonggi Cho prophesying that one day God would pour out His Spirit in great power in northern Alabama. Perhaps, this church on the hill was a part of his vision. I wouldn’t know about that, but I do know we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

This church on the hill is chosen to be His light in the darkness. The Lord has set apart this house, this place for His holiness and power.  All can prophesy. Humble yourself. Seek the Lord. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. You are a chosen people. He can give you another vision of His purpose. Perhaps, you shall see what I have experienced with greater clarity or bring a fresh perspective to it. We were created for such a time as this. Are we preparing our hearts and gathering for the Holy Spirit to open the heavens and pour? Will we let God be God? Will we press in and pray?

 

“Therefore, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7).


“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams, and on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy” (Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:17-18).

“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth” (Isaiah 62:6-7).


https://www.lynnlacher.com/2026/06/the-church-on-hill.html

Endure To Partake

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
—Hebrews 10:36).


The promises of God aren’t dependent upon our efforts. They are dependent on His. But we must cooperate with Him. We must trust Him, accept His will, and step out in faith. Although we may fail at times, we must never give up. His promise will ultimately be fulfilled through our surrender. He cannot deny what He has accomplished for us on the cross. If we trust His perfect work and cooperate with the Holy Spirit, His promise will be fulfilled in us.

Do you think that when Jesus called Peter to follow Him that He did not know his strengths and his weaknesses? God knew Peter. He knew that despite human weakness, Peter would discover strength in Him. If you feel weak and lacking in power, remember the Lord chose Peter knowing His potential―knowing that one day He would be filled with the Spirit and minister in His power.

God's choice of Peter is incredibly encouraging. Choosing a weak Peter to serve Him encourages us that, we too, can be used for God's purposes. Take heart. No matter what your struggle or your area of weakness, God knows your potential, too. He extends grace and forgiveness along your lifetime of service so that you may achieve it. Peter, as a result of God's grace, forgiveness, and power, gained spiritual maturity. God took a man who had once denied Him by a coal fire and used him to powerfully declare and demonstrate His purposes.

Peter writes: “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Jesus has called you to partake of Himself—not because of who you are. Not because of any lack. Not because of any failure. He sees your perfection in Him. He sees who you are in Him. He calls you to partake of Himself because of who He is and what He has accomplished on your behalf. His divine power is available so that through Him, and through His precious promises, you may mature to be more like Him. 

Just as Peter, you can reach a level of spiritual maturity where you are effective and productive in your Christian walk (2 Peter 1:9). You can experience God working powerfully in and through you in ways you never anticipated. 

Persevere no matter your failure. Ask to learn from it. Persevere no matter how weak you feel. You can’t live on feelings. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill and empower you. Endure to partake. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4). 

The Blessing

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
—Matthew 16:25

God loves us more than we love ourselves. His plans for us are superior to our own plans (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25). Abandoning ourselves to Him is the best course of action for us. However, it may not always seem that way to our natural thinking, as our carnal minds are the enemy of God (Romans 8:7). While following Jesus may involve hardships (2 Timothy 3:12), God’s rewards are truly extraordinary (Romans 8:17-18). He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Throughout my Christian life, I’ve heard about my need to die to self, but less about the incredible blessings I would receive in doing so. I've found the purpose I was created for. I’ve discovered abundant life! I’ve found the joy of fulfillment nothing else brings! Freely I’ve received, and freely I’m called to give. I’m called to love without receipt. To see beyond what is seen. To hear beyond what is heard. To understand beyond my own understanding. To always encourage and inspire hope. To bring healing. To inspire greater faith to believe God. To help others experience the joy of their faith. This is my calling. If I lose my life for His sake, Jesus prospers in me. He blesses me again and again to bless others.

“To me,” Paul writes, “living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith” (Philippians 1:21-25 NLT).

I understand Paul’s dilemma—whether to go or to live. I’m alive today for one reason—to help others experience the joy of their faith. This is my calling and my blessing: To see those who have struggled in their faith to find rest in the finished work of Jesus. To see those who haven’t believed to believe. To see those who haven’t stood confidently on the Word to stand and receive. To see their lives changed forever.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, KJV).

Daily, I choose to be crucified with Christ and to live by “the faith” of Jesus. I can't live by my faith. I live by His. Life is not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about Jesus living in us. Whatever the cost—whatever He asks is worth the blessing of knowing Jesus has used you exceedingly more than you ever imagined. It’s a joy unparalleled on this earth. 

The Cost

 

“And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”
—Luke 14:27

There is a great distinction between being an admirer of Jesus Christ and being His disciple. An admirer wants to experience the glitter without making a lasting commitment. A disciple is a pupil who has counted the cost and placed himself completely under the guidance of the Master—whose love for Him is greater than for anyone or anything else, and who resolves to give and also give up whatever is necessary. This is radical discipleship. 

Jesus’ words in Luke are not addressed to His disciples. Each disciple has already counted the cost, and made a decision to surrender. His question is directed to those who offer quickly to serve, and then fade away. It is to this marginal person Jesus says, “If you can’t do what it takes, you can’t be my disciple.” 

To witness the enthusiasm of a new believer is exciting, but often such enthusiasm does not weigh the cost involved. “I will follow you anywhere,” someone quickly offers Jesus (Luke 9:57). This man is a new believer, and is fired up to go. He opens his mouth to speak without thinking of what his offer entails. In the very next verse Jesus carefully handles the man’s zeal without offending him by telling him that his future is uncertain. They are wanderers, and there is nowhere to rest at night. There are very few comforts following Him.

Jesus searches the group and His eyes rest on another man. “Follow me,” he says (Luke 9:59). The man asks Jesus to first let him first bury his father. Jesus tells this man there is no hope for salvation for someone who is already dead, and that his obligations at home are nothing compared to the call upon his life (Luke 9:60). Jesus has looked upon this man’s heart and seen great potential. Time is of the essence, and he must be about the Father’s work. 

The first man who offered to go with Jesus had a shallow faith that would not stand up under pressure. Jesus knew this, but the second man is different. Jesus sees his heart, and knows he can be used to bring life to those who are spiritually dead.

A third man quickly offers to go with Jesus, but asks the Lord to first let him go and tell his family farewell. “Any person who starts doing something and then keeps looking back is not fit for the kingdom of God,” Jesus warns (Luke 9:62). 

God delivered Lot’s family before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and was warned for them not to look back. Longing for what she had left behind, Lot’s wife glanced back for one moment, and was turned into stone. When you follow Jesus, many people will not understand what has happened in your life. When God calls, you should not ask others whether it is right or not. The call is not theirs. It is yours.

God cannot use people who allow personal desires to deter them, but he does use people with a commitment and a vision like Abraham. Abraham stepped out in faith, followed God on a journey of a lifetime, and never looked back at Ur. He never built a permanent house again, but lived in tents, and moved when God told him.

The third man, just as the first one, is not fit for the journey. I find it interesting that the second man, unlike the first and third, did not offer to follow Jesus. He was asked. He had not spoken a desire to follow, but Jesus instinctively knew if he would make the sacrifice. He knew he could ask for a radical commitment from this man.

Jesus asks us, just as he did the second man, to leave self behind, take up His cross, and follow Him. These requirements don’t attract a large number of followers, but for those who follow and stay the course, the result of such a decision is guaranteed. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:25).

Forget The Old And Believe The New

Have you ever encountered an overwhelming situation that made it seem impossible to take another step? Or ever yearned to forget the past and focus solely on the positive, trusting in God’s promises? Or ever yearned for a more profound faith that would allow you to trust God and experience His peace? 

You want to believe. You hope to believe. You cry out to believe. But even though you are new in Christ and have been told all things are new, you struggle to move forward in faith. You want to believe the old is over, yet it still enters your thoughts and directs the moments of your life. You have trouble perceiving what your new life, free from your old nature, really is; that old man might be dead, yet you are still in bondage to him.

“Forget the former things,” the Lord declares. “Do not dwell on the past” (Isaiah 43:18). 

This Scripture tells us not to wrap our minds around what has happened and not to continually think about the past that has defined us. It instructs us to make a decision to forget the past.  “Forget” is a strong word, and it means “being unable to call to mind, unable to summon up, or unable to picture.” Now that sounds incredible! Not to remember or even have a picture in my mind of past fears or failures. “Forget” means that the past is done and gone. So we shouldn’t continually think about it or dwell on it. He will keep me, and He will keep you in perfect peace when our minds dwell on Him (Isaiah 26:3). 

“See,” the Lord states, “I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it” (Isaiah 43:19)? 

“See” is another strong word, and it means “to understand, realize, or perceive.” It doesn’t mean to just look. “Look” has no depth, and is concerned with the outward appearance only. “See” takes “look” somewhere it has never gone before. “See” looks beyond the past. It looks beyond what is factually true in the here and now, expectantly believing that God is doing a new thing. Faith springs up, alive and knowing, unwavering, believing in God’s promise. Do I perceive it? Do you? 

When our minds aren’t preoccupied with dwelling on the past, analyzing and processing it, hope has a chance. We must forget the old and banish it from our minds. Our minds must be renewed by the Word (Ephesians 4:23, Romans 12:2) until our perspective aligns with it. We can then have the confidence to believe God does a new thing. 

“Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36). 

Will we hold on to our confidence, knowing He is faithful to His promise? Will we persevere in seeing the new life within us? Will we seek His purpose? He will reward our diligence. If we will give Him our past, our fears, and our failures, His peace shall guard our minds and hearts, and thinking on good things will come much more easily (Philippians 4:6-8). 

His promise of peace is real. We choose to forget the former things, and believe His promises. We choose to let go of the things which have defined us, and believe by faith that His promises of peace, joy, healing, purpose, freedom, and every good and perfect gift, are absolutely true.

He makes “a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland… He provides water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise” (Isaiah 43:20-21).

Jesus, Be Jesus In Me

Lord, I pray that the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart always be pleasing in your sight. I’m Your workmanship. Not my own. I was bought with the greatest  price—Your life sacrificed for mine. Your unconditional love and grace. I could never have paid that debt. But Jesus You did. You paid it all. 

I’m so thankful You see my heart. You take the smallest gift that’s sown and one day it reaps a harvest. Sometimes, the wealth of that harvest isn’t seen in this life. But then there are glimpses of fruit that reveal Your investment in me hasn’t been in vain. Jesus, I praise You for Your glimpses of lives changed forever by Your grace. Those once lost and now found. Those found who now see.

Jesus, I continually burn for You to be realized in me. Over forty years ago, You spoke a Word to me. You would use me far beyond what I could think or imagine if I would allow you to work in me—if I would take in your Word until I made it my own. Until I believed without doubt You could use me as a yielded vessel. Thank You, Jesus, for never giving up on me. For teaching me. For guiding me. For believing in me when I had trouble believing.

My heart hurts for those who need you, Jesus—who haven’t realized their potential in You. My heart praises You for those that have found You and now see You. May Your Word come to life in me. May I exercise what You have gifted me. I ask Your divine healing to flow through me into the lives of others. That they would receive wholeness of spirit, soul, and body.

I lean on You, Lord. Use me. Fill me with Your power and grace upon grace. To see beyond any lack and see Your harvest. That where I’m weak, You’re strong. 

“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul” (Psalms 138:3). 

Holy Spirit, pour Your power into me. Make me bold in Your strength. Jesus, be Jesus in me.

Encounter Jesus

I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name.
For Your loving kindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
—Psalm 138:2


Consider the immense power of the name of the Lord. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). However, God has exalted His Word above His name. A person’s name is only as good as their word. This offers immense comfort that the Word of the Lord is certain (Psalms 19:7-13).

“The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalms 19:8).

It’s simply that straightforward. God’s Word brings joy to the heart. However, those with saddened hearts aren’t immersed in the Word as they should be. His Word opens our minds to understanding (Ephesians 1:17-18). The Word of God illuminates our minds, providing us with revelation (Psalms 119:130). Consequently, those lacking a deep understanding are ignorant of God’s Word.

Our eyes require light to function properly. In the absence of light, we may perceive things differently from their actual state. However, when light is introduced, we gain a clear understanding of reality. Similarly, many people today perceive things inaccurately because they fail to walk in the light of God’s Word (Psalms 119:105). We can only have the true light when we are looking through the lens of His Word (Psalms 36:9).

Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12), is also the Word (John 1:1). He illuminates every aspect of our lives, unveiling all that needs to be surrendered to Him. The Word molds and shapes our souls until we align with its truth, until it becomes our identity, until it heals us, until we prosper in it, until we are one with it and walk in it.

God sent Jesus, the Word, to heal us and deliver us from our sins (Psalms 107:20). The name of Jesus has the power to break every stronghold that prevents us from perceiving and receiving God’s truth. Yes, there is power in the name of Jesus. Considering the immense power of His name, how much more powerful is the actual person of Jesus?

When you pray in the name of Jesus, you are welcoming the Holy Spirit. And when you are welcoming the Holy Spirit, you are welcoming the Word. You are welcoming the very person of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit comes to reveal Jesus to you. He comes to baptize you with the fire of His Presence. He comes to be your true light, revealing the truth darkness has hidden.

Come before His presence with singing. 
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
—Psalms 100:(2b-5)

The Lord is good. He gives sight to the blind. His mercy is forever. Come. Enter into His Presence with praise. Bless His name, and encounter Jesus.

Come Unto Me

 
How often Jesus longs to gather us to Himself—not to traditions or religion. But to Himself. To be with Him. To give everything to Him—all the good and the bad. To receive His grace and His heart. How He yearns for us to let all the distractions go until we are completed in His Presence. 

And how often we aren’t willing. 

How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
—Matthew 23:37

In returning and rest you shall be saved;
 in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
—Isaiah 30:15


Be Determined To Stay The Course

If you are going to do something significant for God, you have to throw yourself into the call of God and do what is needed, regardless of whether or not it’s convenient. It should be more valuable and important than any comfort or personal desire. Like Paul, you must be willing to do anything required or go to any length to do what God asks. 

The enemy is not going to stand silently by. If God asks you to do something that takes you outside your comfort level, don’t question and complain about it. When you do, you refuse to exercise your faith. You won’t do anything significant for God— at least not until you change your attitude.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12).

The Kingdom of God suffers violence at the hands of the enemy. You must be more determined than the enemy’s deceptions, hindrances, barriers, and accusations. What is the vision God has given you? That vision isn’t going to come easily. Satan will come against it in any way he can. That vision must be more important than your need to feel safe and secure. You must be willing to do anything needed to see that it succeeds. When you’re determined to pursue God’s purpose at all costs, you’ll push through hard times and gain ground for the Kingdom of God.

In 2 Corinthians 11:23, Paul reveals his determination to finish God’s call, regardless of what he has to do and regardless of the challenges he has to overcome: “Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.”

Paul tells us that, in addition to working hard, he has been physically beaten as he pursued his God-given task of spreading the Gospel. He has received “stripes above measure.”

The Greek word for stripes is “plege” and means “to smite, hit, wound, or violently strike.” The words “above measure” are from the Greek word “huperballo” and means “above and beyond the range of what is normal.”

Paul’s beatings were beyond what we could imagine. They beatings were frequent, cruel, and brutal. But Paul never allowed this intense cruelty to affect his commitment to the task God had given him. You must be more determined than anything the devil brings against you. However, you aren’t strong enough to withstand the devil’s attacks alone; you can overcome them with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul tells us that he has been “in prisons more frequent.” The Greek word “plulake” for prison means “a heavily fortified place of containment.” A prison was a small, dark chamber where the most dangerous prisoners were heavily guarded. This is what Paul consistently endured. If going to jail meant that he would accomplish his calling, that was what he was willing to do. He was ready to undergo any inconvenience, pay any price, and go to all lengths to do what God asked of him.

Paul also says that in addition to the beatings and imprisonments he endured, he was “in deaths often.” The Greek word “thanatol” means “deaths.” Paul actually faced physical “deaths” regularly. “When he wrote “I die daily” in 1 Corinthians 15:31, he meant more than just dying to self. He was constantly confronted with the possibility of death. Paul never wanted to face death daily. It was just part of his call to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. However, he faced it bravely. Rather than retreating, he kept moving forward to fulfill his purpose.

If Paul been less committed, only a few of these hardships would have stopped him. But because he was completely focused and determined to finish the work God had given him, he pushed beyond each beating, imprisonment, and fear of death. And because of his commitment, we received the Gospel. At the end of his life, he could say, “I have finished my course” (2 Timothy 4:7). 

The Holy Spirit who empowered Paul to overcome each of these hardships is the same Holy Spirit who is available to help you. You don’t have to give up in defeat. If you choose to use the power that is available to you, the Spirit of God will strengthen you and give you victory over any difficulty the enemy uses against you. 

The time has come for the faith we have often taken for granted to become our life. Look and listen. We are in the last of the last days. God has granted you the privilege to be a part of such a time as this. Just as Paul, you have a purpose to spread the Gospel of Grace in whatever way God has called you.

You have the resurrection power of God inside of you (Romans 8:11). Yield to His power, and you’ll be supernaturally strengthened to overcome every hindrance and barrier. If you embrace God’s power, He’ll give you everything you need to endure and succeed in your purpose. Be determined to hold on to God’s call and to move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit so that one day, you can also say, “I have finished my course.”