TO BE CONTINUED...

I don’t know about you… but I can’t stand it when you’re watching an original new cable network series… one where they drop a new episode each week… and you come to the near conclusion of an exciting cliff-hanger scene… when the screen goes dark for a moment and then the frustration-producing words: “TO BE CONTINUED” appear! Those three words always seem to test my patience and personally prove out to me… if all my teaching on the joy of the Lord is sincere or not!  Can anyone out there attest to my reaction?

Well… It would seem that the folks in the production TV business are not the only one’s to use those three words!  Let me explain…

This week has been one of those tough weeks where I could NOT get the pictures, memories and thoughts of the gentle physical touch of my sweet wife, who went home to heaven eight years ago, out of my head… and heart.  It was so intense that I would not have been surprised if she walked through the door of my apartment last night!  To put it mildly… it was a very emotional time for me. 

I have to admit… that I thought those intense emotional times were over.  But now, as I begin to get settled here in Tennessee, they are popping up with regularity once more.  But, with all the recent abundance of memories… I did also remember something that the Lord had told me the week right after Piper passed in North Carolina… after all the kids returned to their homes and their daily lives with their families… and I sat alone in my living room with an open Bible in my lap and my faithful companion Fiver at my feet.

To say the least… I felt like my head (and my entire life for that matter) was spinning out of control.  But in the midst of the confusion, I suddenly felt a calm come upon me as I heard a familiar voice speak from deep inside of me that said one word…

“CONTINUE!”  

And, that one word… which is what the Bible would call a ‘rhema’ word from the Lord (which I’ll explain further on in today’s post) has been a ground-setting direction that I have thought about and followed daily, all these years since then.

The Lord soon afterwards, explained by telling me, that although my world had totally changed and would seem to be upside down… for a long time to come… that He would CONTINUE to be the same NOW as He had been to me both before and during the Jim and Piper team days… and He lovingly impressed upon me… That I was TO DO THE SAME in my personal faith walk and in my trusting in Him and the life-giving truth of His Word.

So… here I am on a warm fall day in October (Halloween!) and as I took a walk around my complex this morning… I meditated on my early morning Bible study where the Lord has been reminding me of His ability TO-DO what we humans cannot do with all our wisdom, intellect and financial resources.  I had been looking again at Luke 1:37 where the angel of the Lord boldly told Mary that,

“No word from God shall be void of power.  For nothing is impossible with God!” (RV / TPT)

It is of importance to understand that the translation of “WORD” in this verse specifically speaks of a ‘rhema’ word (as opposed to Logos) which “is a specific, spoken, timely word or utterance from God that’s applied to a particular situation. Logos is the whole revelation (ie; the Scriptures as a whole), whereas rhema is its personal, moment‑specific application.”*

Therefore, from my personal experience and Bible training, the reception of a “rhema” word would infer that the recipient is a Christian who studies the Word and actively fellowships with the Lord.  In other words… it is not a daily occurrence but given as the Lord desires and reaches out to help lead and direct one of His children.

As I walked this morning, and considered Luke 1:37 in reference to my current place in life and all the uncertainty that is ahead for me in my new home, I suddenly had to stop near some vividly fall-colored trees as I saw the words:

“TO BE CONTINUED…”

flash across the screen in my mind’s eye… and with a sudden swoosh of peace, felt the Lord reminding me to not be anxious about any of it, but to “CONTINUE” doing what I knew to do concerning my highly EXPECTANT trust in Him and His Word… and thereby allow Him to “CONTINUE” doing what only He can do! 

Then, with a pause as if He were thinking… He reminded me to “CONTINUE” confessing and daily walking in my firm understanding and belief that:

“I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!” (Philippians 4:19 – TPT) 

SO…….. What do YOU think?  Are you going to “CONTINUE” with BOLDNESS in YOUR daily faith walk as well?  I think that would be an EXCELLENT choice!

 

Hummmm… I wonder if my ability to “CONTINUE” in the strength and joy of my faith walk will help to keep my blood pressure down when those dreaded words,

“TO BE CONTINUED…”

Pop up on the screen again… probably not!  (but I’m sure gonna try!)

Have a fantastic week ahead!  We’ve got some rain in our upcoming forecast.  What’s your weather like wherever you are?

 

*https://thisvsthat.io/logos-vs-rhema