Have you ever gone into a restaurant and looked around and noticed how many people are actually laughing and really enjoying the moment? You’ll be surprised at what you see. In this day and time, more than ever before, we need to be people of joy! Everyone loves to laugh. Our joy can be a powerful and awesome witness, providing us with strength to uplift others around us who maybe feeling weak and weary (Neh 8:10).

The world needs to see that there’s another way to supernaturally respond to all the chaos and confusion that exist in society today. The joy of the Lord is not dependant on the circumstances in our lives. A good example of this is seen with our brother Paul in the New Testament. He wrote the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon while in prison. In Philippians, it is undeniable that Paul was full of joy even while in prison. In this book, he speaks of joy or rejoicing 17 times (Luke 6:45). How could Paul be so joyous in such unpleasant situations? First of all, He did not allow his present conditions to dictate his actions or his attitude (Phil 4:8). He kept his eyes on Jesus and not his circumstances (Heb 12:2). By keeping his eyes on Jesus and not on himself, he could clearly see that he further advanced the gospel. His situation inspired others to boldly preach the good news of Jesus Christ, regardless of the cost (Phil 1:12-14). Paul knew what God had done for him, what God wanted for him, and what God needed him to do (Phil 3:13-15). The second verse in Hebrews 12 goes on to say that even Jesus had joy on his mind while He endured the cross. Awesome!

The word fruit denotes product or results. One translation states the “fruit of the Spirit” is the work which His presence within accomplishes. The Lord tells us that when we abide with Him, take up residence, hang out, or kick it with Him, we will bring forth much fruit (John 15:5). Another definition refers to fruit as the “pull of the Holy Spirit.” When faced with difficult times that seek to steal our joy, there’s an automatic pull or demand on the supply of the Holy Spirit within to comfort and encourage us (John 14:16-18). If your joy level is not full, it will change as you continue to commune, fellowship, and converse with God (John 16:24). There will be a supernatural exchange and transformation.

Got joy? If your answer is no, then your next step is to get in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 16:11). Being thankful played a great big part of Paul’s joy. Paul was thanking the church of Philippi for what they had done on his behalf. Do you have people who love you? Be thankful! Has anyone ever blessed you in any way? Be thankful! Are you alive? Be thankful! Are you saved? My friend be thankful! By the time you keep giving God thanks and praise, you will definitely experience His presence (Psalm 22:3; 140:13). Once you experience His presence, His joy will begin to spring up in your heart despite your situation (Psalm 16:11).

Prayer:
“Father, greater are You that is in me than he that is in this world. Today I overcome by the word of my testimony. I confess that Your joy gives me strength and even uplifts others who see that joy. Help me to keep my eyes on You so that no situation will ever steal my joy. I will stay full of Your joy giving thanks in everything. I want You as the center of my joy. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen!”

When God gives a promise of restoration in the Bible, you can consider that a done deal. His promises are tried and true. The scriptures make sure it’s very clear, not just some of God’s promises, but all of His promises are this way (2 Cor 1:20; Num 23:19). So when God says that He will bring total restoration, then be in total expectation!

What are cankerworms? What are palmerworms? Also, what does a caterpillar have to do with this event? One dictionary referred to the insects as being various types of locusts in their early stages. You probably thought caterpillars only were related to butterflies. Not so! The insects in this text fit under a general class of devouring locusts.

Let’s begin with the locust itself, which is found to be grasshopper-like. It’s the hopping locust also known as the swarming locusts, indicating the characteristic of rapid onslaught. The cankerworm is known as the crawling and licking type. The caterpillar is translated in this verse as being a ravager, consuming, and having a stripping nature. The palmerworm is noted as being the gnawer or the chewing locust. When this invasion of insects hit the farmland of Judah, it left total devastation and destruction. The caterpillar had literally stripped the bark off the fig trees (Joel 1:4-13; 14-20). After this plague occurred, God sent Joel to prophecy to the Jews hope and restoration (Joel 1:1-2; 2:25-27). The Jews were in disobedience and God wanted them to repent. So after the actual locust invasion, Joel warned them that if they didn’t repent, they would receive more judgment even worse than the plague that they had just experienced. So this prophecy was also warning them to get it together and get it right.

Saints, when the storms of life come (Matt 7:24-27; Psa 34:19), whether it is due to your disobedience or just attacks of the enemy, we know we have a blessed hope. This hope is that God is able to restore to you far above what you could ever possibly imagine (Eph 3:20). When you repent and obey, if you were looked over or skipped over for recognition or a promotion, fret not (Psa 37:1-2; 42:5: 30:1). If like Job, the enemy has stripped you of everything, licked and left you dry, read the end of Job’s story (Job 42:12-17). If a crisis swarms upon you rapidly and consumes your strength, keep your eyes on Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of your faith (Heb 12:2). It’s not over! If your emotions have been chewed up from mistreatment and disappointments, the Lord will bring healing (Psa 30:2, Gen 45:1-5, 7-8). If you feel that you won’t escape the affects that the locusts may have had in your life, think again. God will restore to you the years of your life that the locusts thought they had eaten! So be encouraged, He loves you and there will be a great escape from the locusts!

Prayer:
“Father, I thank you for loving me so much that there is no pit of despair so deep that You can’t deliver me from. You are a mighty and powerful and wise God! You are able to heal my deepest wounds. There is no weapon formed through the enemy’s plagues or invasions that will prevail against me! Thank you for being my God who will restore and bring Your promises to pass in my life! In Jesus Name, Amen!”

All through the Bible, you learn what God wants you to think about, and what God does not want you to think about. He even tells you to have His mind in every situation (Phil 2:5). That’s deep! If you’re thinking like God then you’re acting like God in every situation.

Whatever you think on continually, that is what you will eventually end up doing (Prov 23:7). This is why TV commercials have become one of the most successful marketing strategies in our country and the most expensive. Commercials are designed to influence you to buy the product advertised. They are played repetitively between programs and include some form of enticement to cause you to think about it until you want the product. It’s successful because, without them realizing it, they are capitalizing on a biblical principle. It’s expensive, because business owners know that the profits gained are well worth the high prices paid to advertise.

Remember, whatever you think on continually, that is what you will eventually end up doing (Prov 23:7). Think back! Can you remember the times you did something wrong? Ask yourself. What was I thinking about right before I did that? Where did those thoughts come from? If the devil can get you to think wrong, he can get you to act wrong. That’s why one piece of the armour of God is the helmet of salvation (Eph 6:17). Get it? The spiritual helmet is to protect your mind from ungodly thoughts. Now what have you been thinking about a lot lately? Good things or bad things? Watch yourself. Well, what am I suppose to do about those bad thoughts? I’m so glad you asked! Think on these things . . .

Recognize the thoughts will come, determine now what you will do with them. Depending on what you do with those thoughts will determine whether you’re living that abundant and free life or whether you’re letting the devil bombard your mind. If the devil can get you to think wrong, he can get you to act wrong. If only David had done the holy turn and looked in the opposite direction from Bathsheba, his and her whole life would have been totally different. As a result, he continued to think on wrong things which continued to influence his wrong behavior (2 Sam 11). So what am I suppose to do with those bad thoughts? I’m glad you asked again!

Philippians 4:8 gives us eight categories that our thoughts should fit in. If it is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, a good report, virtuous, or of praise, only think on these things. If they do not fit in these categories then toss them out of your mind. Replace those bad thoughts with good thoughts. Here are some ways to think like Christ and have the mind like Christ. If thoughts of fear come, replace it with thoughts of what the Bible says about fear. God has not given us the spirit of fear and the righteous are bold (2 Tim 1:7; Prov 28:1). If thoughts of unforgiveness come, replace them with thoughts of forgiving your brother endlessly (Matt 18:21-22) because Christ forgives you every time (I John1:9). Also meditating on scripture pertaining to forgiveness will renew your mind (Matt 18:23-35). We are told to keep the Bible before our eyes and ears, it affects our life (Prov 4:20-21, 25-27). One good place to start is to memorize Philippians 4:8, the think on these things verse.

Prayer:
“Father, I thank you for the holy scriptures that have the power to change and renew my mind. Help me to think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, a good report, virtuous, and of praise. When I think right, I will act right. May my desire be to please you in all that I do and say. Help me to think like Christ and let His mind be in me. In Jesus Name, Amen!”

Have you ever had someone to promise you something and didn’t deliver? Have you ever had a relative pledge not to tell your secret and it just slipped out? Have you ever had a friend express how wonderful you look, when you really looked horrific? Well thanks be unto God, we will never ever have to worry about that happening with the Lord. What He says, He will do. He is faithful and true and He will not lie to you. (Num 23:19; Rev 21:5)

Some years ago, the words “Rest on the Rhema” was written on a note attached to a small pillow and given by a friend. In Hebrews, it tells us there is a rest for God’s people. The word rest means ease, relief or refresh. The rhema Word of God is the voice of God or the Holy Spirit speaking (John 16:13). The small pillow definitely symbolized at that time to sleep or to rest on what God had spoken. It was right on the mark. We will know we’ve entered into that rest when we no longer operate in our own strength to make things happen. Make what things happen? Make those things happen that God has planned and purposed for our lives spoken to us by the Holy Spirit. When we’re not in total trust, total belief and total peace in the rhema, we will be anxious, worried, and full of care (Phil 4:6). Instead, Hebrews tells us to labor in order to enter into that rest. Why labor? We labor, because when God speaks it takes faith, so we must labor in the good fight of faith lest we fall into unbelief (Heb 4:11; I Tim 6:12). We can rest, relax and even have peaceful sleep when God has spoken on a situation.

The written Word of God (logos) is the scripture given through holy men, inspired by the voice of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). So check that out! The rhema produced the written Word of God! In the Old Testament, God spoke more through His prophets. Now days, the Holy Spirit may speak by bringing individual scripture to our remembrance to use in time of need or He may announce things to come in our future (Eph 6:17; John 16:13). In Acts, Peter experienced the Holy Spirit announcing to him that 3 men were about to visit him that were sent by Cornelius (Acts 10:19). Later, the Holy Spirit brought to his remembrance the words of Jesus as he was ministering to Cornelius’ family (Acts 11:15-16). Also, the rhema may come through the five-fold ministry gifts, angels, or through someone who is just in the rhythm with the Holy Spirit.

Has God ever spoken anything to you? Well my friend, you can rest assure it will surely come to pass and you will have the victory (Isa 55:11). God’s Word will not return void of power, because He wants to achieve far more greater results, that are far more greater than what we can imagine (Isa 55:8-9). His thoughts are not our thoughts, they are much higher. No matter what it looks like, you can trust God! Look at who is speaking? He is the Most High (Psa 91:1), Maker of heaven and earth (Neh 9:6), Everlasting Father (Isa 63:16), Alpha & Omega (Rev 1:8), the Lord of Hosts (I Sam 17:45), Jehovah Jireh (Gen 22:14), the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9) … Shall I continue? So not only can we rest on God’s written word, we can truly rest on the rhema as well!

Prayer:
“Father, I thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit who will lead and guide me into all truth. I hear your voice and a stranger’s voice I will not follow. You lead me beside still, peaceful, and quiet waters. I will trust you with all of my heart, leaning not on my own understanding, and rest in what you have spoken to me. Help me to fight the good fight of faith and receive all that you have for me. In Jesus Name, Amen!”

In any competitive sport, the best game plan is to anticipate what your opposition is about to do so you can counteract their moves. God wants us to know that we have an enemy out there whose purpose and agenda is to steal, kill, destroy, and devour our life (John 10:10a). God doesn’t want us ignorant of how our enemy operates (2 Cor. 2:11). To win the battle you must identify your opponent or enemy, know how he operates, know yourself, and know what weapons you have to counterattack.

John describes our enemy as a thief. As we all know a thief takes what does not belong to him. He steals our privacy, property, and peace. He will break windows, knock down doors, and tear up your car just to get what he wants. He will also kill anyone that gets in his way, because he doesn’t care. The word kill here means slaughter for any purpose (John 10:10a). He is not your friend. He is cunning and strategic (2 Cor. 11:14) and the Bible tells us to be watchful and alert (I Peter 5:8). Even though the devil has his agenda, thanks be unto God, Jesus has an agenda also. He has come to give us life in opposition to all the death Satan brings (John 10:10b). Not just life, but in abundance, which is exceedingly, beyond measure, and excessive. Jesus came to totally annihilate the works of the devil so that we can bounce back from his clutches of death with a vengeance (I John 3:8).

As mention earlier, another key to winning the battle is to know yourself and to make sure you’re not doing anything to give the enemy advantage over you. Remember the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants (2008) prior to Super Bowl XLII? In the beginning, the Dallas quarterback was slamming New York by quickly moving the ball down the field with pinpoint accurate passes. The Giants were keeping up, but it was taking them a little longer to execute their plays and move the ball down the field. Also, their team members were getting hurt. The Giants did not have a good defensive strategy, at first. After halftime, it was amazing what the Giants did to counteract the Cowboys. The little adjustment that they made drastically changed the direction of the game. The Giants came back into the game sacking the quarterback. They clearly identified their problem, targeted the problem and turned the game around. The New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys and went on to win the Super Bowl game. Let’s just say they definitely bounced back with a vengeance!

Just as the Giants made a small, but major adjustment, so did our friend Paul of Tarsus. Paul (aka Saul) was literally killing Christians and throwing them in jail (Acts 9:1-2). He thought he was doing what was right in his own eyes (Prov. 14:12). He was snared by Satan, who has the ability to blind your spiritual sight and deceive you into helping him carry out his agenda (Rev 12:9). Fortunately, Paul had a miracle from God and converted (Acts 9:3-6). Did he have a choice? Yes, because miracles do not guarantee conversions. Look at the children of Israel. God did many, many miracles, and many of them never believed, therefore, many never made it into the Promised Land (Exod. 10, 13, 15; Num. 14). When presented with the truth, Paul immediately made the adjustment to make Jesus his Lord. Later, God used Paul to complete 3 major missionary journeys (Acts 13-20), begin numerous churches (Rom 15:24, 28), and write one-third of the New Testament books of the Bible. We can truly say Paul bounced back from the clutches of the enemy with a vengeance.

You have the same opportunity to bounce back out of any situation you may be facing. The Bible tells us as Christians to flee youthful lusts, avoid strife, discipline our flesh, lay aside every weight, control our anger, keep pure thoughts, and more (2 Tim 2:22, 24; Rom 8:13; Col 3:5; Hebr. 12:1; Eph 4:26; Phil 4:8). All of which if not done, can create a snare for the enemy in our life. Identify where the enemy may have you bound. Get in God’s Word concerning that area and begin memorizing scriptures to counterattack it. The Word of God is our weapon for the game plan (Eph 6: 17; Heb 4:12). Use it! God will give you victory and cause you to help many others get victory too. Before long, you will have triumphed over the enemy with a vengeance!

Prayer:

“Father, I surrender every area of my life to you. Help me to identify any snares that the enemy has set up for me to fall. I give you full control and submit to the truth of your Word. This truth will renew my mind and make me free forever. You have already given me the victory over all the power of the enemy. I ask for wisdom how to walk in that victory. Thank you that Jesus has come to give me life more abundantly and that life allows me never to be in bondage again. I’m so glad I have a second chance to bounce back in life with a vengeance. In Jesus Name, AMEN!”

Job was a man that was blameless and upright; he feared God and departed from evil. In the eighth chapter of Job, Bildad (Job’s friend) spoke and reminded Job of the kind of man that he had always been ( v.2,6,13,20) taking to heart his situation of despair (the sorrow of losing his seven sons and three daughters and all his possessions).
It is imperative that we remember, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, though wilt not despise.”(Ps. 51:17) God’s ear is ready to listen in the midst of our grief and sorrow (Isa.59:1). Though the pain we suffer in this life does not come from God, He is ever present to grant unto us His Holy Spirit to fill us with His comfort and His wisdom to move us through.

We read in the end of Job’s account that God’s promises in Job’s life were definitely more than just words, “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: Also the Lord gave job twice as much he had before.” (Job 8:6,20)

Have you taken the time to question the Lord about the feelings or things that you are experiencing in your life, even in times of despair? Are you determined to take a hold of God’s promises for your life (Jer. 29:11), to draw near to him (Jas. 4:8), and count every miracle and victory (Rom. 8:18, 31-35) that the Lord has performed in your life? To become sensitive to the pain of others is a journey and part of it is drawing closer to God’s heart. It says in Jeremiah 33:3, “call unto me and I will answer thee…” This is the best choice you can ever make. Not only that you will be blessed, but you will also find peace and victory as Job did (Ps.1:1-3).

Prayer:
“Father, today I invite your Holy Spirit to come to dwell on the inside of me. I have been in despair many times and have felt betrayed by circumstances in life, but I now have decided to follow your ways. I am giving you permission to heal me from inside out. I want to change. I thank you for always being with me, even when I don’t feel you. I know that you are here and that your presence is embracing me with your everlasting love and mercy. I am ready for another journey with you and will face any situation with a greater joy and peace, knowing you always cause me to triumph! IN JESUS’S NAME, AMEN!”

Before we were born, God created and fashioned us with a specific purpose in mind. This was stated about Isaiah (Isa. 49:1:3-5), Jeremiah (Jer.1:5), John the Baptist (Lk.1:13-17), and Jesus (Mt. 1:20-23). Another translation states verse 13 this way: “For You did form my inner parts; You did knit me together.” Have you ever noticed the stitching of a knitted blanket or scarf? It is intricately harmonized and synchronized with the other stitches to create a design or a pattern. When done correctly, the finished product is beautiful. God has fearfully and wonderfully put you together and His works are marvelous. There is no one else like you and there will never ever be another you. You are one of a kind. So be who God has created you to be. BE YOURSELF!

If you had any idea about what was ahead for the Body of Christ, you would be immediately moved to prepare your heart. The authors of the New Testament, by way of the Holy Ghost, made it very clear that God deeply cares for the victory and triumph of His Church (Mt. 16:17-19; Eph. 4:11-16; 5:25-28). There is a destiny that has been programmed into the Church that nothing can malfunction, no, not even the dark world that we are called out from. There is too much glory that has been revealed from generation to generation for anything to slow down this momentum that the Church has gained since it’s formation (Jn. 14:12). Hidden within the above parable of Christ is the spoken outcome for the household of faith. And you can guarantee one thing; Just as the mysterious Christ appeared victorious, despite all the opposition of Satanic forces throughout the ages, so too will the mysterious Church emerge victorious, crushing the serpents and scorpions that would seek to retard its destiny.

For reference, expositors are certain of the following facts in this parable:
God the Father is the householder
The laborers are the servants of God
The vineyard is the world

With that said, let us look at the truth that holds within it the glory of the marvelous Church.

The householder goes out early into the morning to hire laborers. The reason he even has a need to hire laborers is because he is the owner of a certain field that he considers to be his prize and joy (Ps. 24:1-2). His interest is in the development and perfection of that which he owns. Early in the morning he sets out to find laborers willing to help him. In the wee hours of the morning he finds those eager to help him start this work. As the laborers worked, the householder soon realized that in order for the work to be finished by nightfall he must hire other workers to come alongside those who first began. He goes into the marketplace around the third hour (9:00a) hires them, and sends them into the vineyard speedily. The scripture says that he did this same thing at the sixth hour (noon) and the ninth hour (3:00p). The wise householder must have known that as the day progressed, the amount of manpower needed to get the job done before the end of the workday would have to increase, due to the size of the vineyard. It can also be implied, just like any good boss would, that he listened to those who worked for him. No doubt the workers made plea with the householder to hire others to help with the work.

The eleventh hour soon arrived (5p) and the householder noted that in order to wrap the job up and bring it to completion on time, he would have to make one final call for laborers. He rushed back into the marketplace and found a group of individuals who were idle. These were not lawyers, doctors, or religious leaders of the time (all of which would be too busy to stand idle). Rather they were those in need of purpose and equipping. The wise householder gave them the endowment and authority necessary to come alongside the other laborers and finish the job. Finally, one hour after the final laborers were hired, the sun set and the night came upon them. No one could work any longer. But that was ok. The work had been completed.

God the Father is a wise householder who owns the whole earth and the fullness thereof (Ps. 24:1-2). Jesus makes it clear that the earth is a vineyard that is ready for harvest because the gospel came through him. The most significant aspect of this parable that we should give attention to is the hours. At different periods of time, a call would be made, laborers would be added, and the pace would strengthen.

The early morning hours (6a, the start of the workday) represent the early Church and its formation. They were the first group of people to see a mighty move of God, all beginning in the upper room at Pentecost. The burden of the workload, due to limited laborers, was no doubt a price they had to pay. Jesus spoke to them, however, and said “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Mt. 9:35-37). When the Church would call upon the name of the Lord, the Lord would rush into the marketplace and find those who were available to become part of His harvesting. We can see this all over the pages of Church history. Moves of the mighty Spirit of God to refresh, strengthen, uplift, and solidify the Body of Christ. From Tertullion, Clement of Alexandria, and Polycarp to St. Anslem of Canterbury, St. Augustine of Hippo, and St. Patrick to the Cevennes Prophets, St. Teresa of Avila, and Martin Luter to George Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards, and Chuck Finney to Evan Roberts, William Seymour, and Smith Wigglesworth to Oral Roberts, Lester Sumrall, and Kenneth Hagin (as well as all the other nameless laborers who faithfully worked under the heat of the sun); God has sent armies of laborers at crucial hours to advance the work of the vineyard.

In the marvelous parable of Christ he mentions that just before the midnight hour, when no man can any longer work (Jn. 9:4-5), he would make one final call. As the sun began to hang low on the horizon (when apparent darkness would become everyone’s concern), Jesus promised that the Father would hear the cries of those who had already labored. And as he was faithful to do before, he would rush again into the marketplace. He would look for those wanting to find destiny, purpose, and the reason they exist. He would equip them with tools and abilities they once never had and give them delegated authority to join the ranks of those who had worked before them, considering them just as great and capable. This is the call of the eleventh hour. The final call. The unusual, unexpected, surprising call to hire a host of workers at the final part of the harvest period.

There is no question that a mighty move, powerful revival, and great awakening is on the horizon. God the Father has heard the cry of his laborers. He has sent the Holy Ghost into the marketplace to find the last and final workers to intensify the harvesting and bring this work to a close. So don’t fear what seems to be darkness. No, no, don’t fear what seems to make you afraid. For their is a cry that went up and that has made provision for the supernatural, unusual, unprecedented calling and equipping of end-time workers. And they shall succeed. And when the even comes, they shall be rewarded for responding to the urgent cry of the eleventh hour call.

Prayer:
“Father, I thank you that you have heard every cry. You have heard every prayer and all the intercession that every one of your workers have made. I declare that I am part of this eleventh hour call. I am willing, available, and eager to be one of those to join the ranks of those who started, carried, and maintained the great work of the harvesting. Now use me to bring this thing to a close; to help usher in the glorious coming of your son, Jesus Christ, demonstrating the power of the gospel and the might of the Holy Ghost. I surrender to you precious Lord. Here I am. IN JESUS NAME. Amen.”

“Tophet.” When Jeremiah heard the Lord speak to him regarding his next assignment, I think it would be safe to assume that he was anything but thrilled. Jeremiah was one of God’s mightiest prophets. Part of what made Jeremiah mighty was his determination. And this is why God chose him for the task.

In 2 Kings 23:10 we read that Tophet was a place where parents made their sons and daughters “to pass through the fire of Molech.” Molech was a Middle-Eastern god affiliated with the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Canaanites, and was the national god of the Ammonites. The idol was hallow and brazen, having the head of an ox and outstretched human-like arms. Within the base of the idol fire was kindled so that sacrifices could be made to this pagan deity. When the arms of the statue would get hot, little children would be placed within them to be slowly burned. So that the father and mothers of these children would not have to hear the cries of their little ones, the priests would beat drums to drown their screams out and to soothe the souls of the sacrifices.

After this practice was outlawed by King Josiah, Tophet became a place of refuse. In today’s vernacular we would say a trash pit, a garbage heap, and a dump. Here animal carcasses, human waste, the dead bodies of criminals, and trash were piled up. Needless to say, disease found its home here in Tophet. To keep disease and sickness from spreading and to keep the air purified as best as possible, hot fires were burned almost all the time.

When speaking of the lake of fire where the wicked dead would go after their resurrection and judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15), Jesus carefully chooses this place as his illustration. Tophet was the best example of eternal hell that existed during the life and times of Jesus. And he warned his hearers that such a punishment existed in the afterlife for those who would not follow him into everlasting life (Mt. 10:28-33; Jn. 14:6).

What do you think Tophet smelled like? What do you think it looked like? What was the condition of the people who made their dwelling there? I would say that crazy, appalling, and inhumane would be deep understatements. And yet, Tophet was Jeremiah’s assignment from God. And notice what the verse said, “Then CAME Jeremiah FROM Tophet…” Jeremiah did what God asked him to do. He had taken the elders and priests into this place and preached God’s Word of righteousness to them. If Jeremiah had it difficult, think of Christ. He was called to go into the underworld of wicked spirits and preach the word of righteousness to demonic spirits (1 Pet. 3:19).

As preachers of Jesus Christ, some of the places God calls us to preach will look like, smell like, and have the very appearance of hell. But this is where the captives are held (Lk. 19:10). When we make the decision firmly in our hearts and cry, “Lord where you go….I go,” then we will be able identify will the great apostle when he said, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9). Tophet or no Tophet, let’s follow.

Prayer:
“Lord I have made the decision to follow you. I will boldly go where you call me today. If that means that I have to go to Tophet, I will go. And I am convinced and I fully can expect that while I am there, the power of Christ will dwell in me and upon me to release those held captive by the power of darkness. I am your hands, feet, and mouthpiece. Today I will release the bound, tormented, and afflicted. I am not concerned about my comfort, but am concerned about your Kingdom. Thank you Holy Ghost for your power. I have it and it will shine through everywhere I go. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!”

The Bible tells us that when we are saved we become sons of God (Rom. 8:16). We are adopted into the family of heaven and we take on the nature of our heavenly Father (Eph. 4:24). As children who are highly prized in the eyes of our loving creator, we are recipients of the different graces that God bestows upon us. In Ephesians 2:8 we are told that the faith that brings salvation is a gift of God. Anything that is given to us as a gift by God can be utilized to fulfill our intended purpose: “…let them HAVE DOMINION…” (Gen. 1:26).

We are told in Romans 12:3 that EVERY MAN has been dealt the measure of faith. Paul is not speaking of every man in the world, but rather, every man who has come under the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Every born-again person walking this earth has faith in the inner man, whether they are conscious of it or not. There is such a man walking this earth without faith, however, the Bible calls him “unreasonable and wicked” (2 Thess. 3:2).

It wasn’t enough for salvation to just cover our access into heaven. Unfortunately, religion has painted a sloppy picture in our minds of the saving power of God. Salvation is the all-inclusive word of the gospel and incorporates every aspect of our natural human existence (Mk. 10:30).

Faith was given to us by God as a channel of connecting heaven and earth. James tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17). Stop and think about this for just a moment. Look what this verse just told us. The good and perfect things of God must COME DOWN. Until they come down, they remain spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3). Thank God for spiritual blessings, however, they were never intended to just stay within that realm; they were meant to be sent into this human, earthly realm. As soon spiritual blessings cross over into this realm of touching, seeing, hearing, tasting, and feeling they become natural blessings or physical blessings.

Not to step on any religious toes or kick over sacred cow, but what good would it have done us if Jesus stayed in heaven? The prophets would have continued to speak of him coming and it would have brought refreshing to the hearts of the people. But that is not enough to satisfy the demands of sin. Despite all the comforting words of prophetic heralding, the human race would have still been stuck under the slave master of sin and death. The Father knew that the son had to LEAVE HEAVEN, where man cannot touch, taste, see, hear, or feel, and come into the realm where man CAN touch, taste, see, hear, and feel (Phil. 6:6-8). This was the first and greatest example of a spiritual blessing being made a physical reality.

The procedure of things coming down from heaven has not changed. It is through earnest expectation and FAITH (Phil 1:20). Why did Jesus come? He was expected! Every time an Old Testament Saint made a blood sacrifice that was faith offered up to God expressing earnest belief that the Messiah was coming.

Putting a demand on heaven with the faith that has been given to us is pleasing to God. When we use our faith to touch heaven, the blessings of God flow. Faith is the highway that spiritual blessings use to cross over into earthly blessings. And it is just the opposite. “By faith Enoch was translated…”(Heb. 11:5). Faith was the highway that Enoch used to cross from the physical to the spiritual.

Friends, we have FAITH! It is so pleasing to God when we use it because we stop working under the weak and beggarly elements of this world and start operating as HE does! When a Father sees his son on the basketball court scoring all the points, while the other team struggles to defend him, the father says, “That’ my boy!” Well when we use our faith, God says, “That’s my child!!”

Use YOUR FAITH today. It is your greatest tool!

Prayer:
“Father, thank you for giving me faith! I have it. It was given to me. And it is a mighty tool to put me over in this life. My faith in Christ brings HEALING! My faith in Christ brings PROVISION! My faith in the blood of Jesus turns spiritual blessings into material, tangible blessings! I will not be defeated today Lord! I have to access all the good and perfect things of heaven! They are my inheritance, as I am your adopted child! Thanks be to YOU, OH LORD, which ALWAYS causes me to triumph! IN JESUS NAME!”