Swimming upstream...

Times roll around when I find myself exhausted from all the effort.  I feel like a fish trying to swim upstream against a very swift current.   Three steps forward followed by two steps back.

I am reminded by that still small Voice that it’s not always as it seems.  Probably, it is seldom like it seems to me in the moment.

It is easy to become frustrated and discouraged.  Work hard, make some progress then watch things stop going smoothly and become challenging.   Again.

I hear in my spirit that whisper.  “Don’t focus on this moment.  Don’t assume the future.  Look behind you at all the hard places you have been and know that I am still God, still have purpose, and am still in command.”

I can’t swim much at all. I would surely have a hard time swimming upstream.  I can dog paddle just enough to keep my ears out of the water. (I hate having my ears fill with water.)

Why does God allow me to again and again face current?  Why when I finally get to smooth waters does He allow the current to become swift again?  The age-old question.  Why does God allow suffering?

I look back on the most difficult times of my life and see His fingerprints all over me.  I would not have the relationship with Him that I have were it not for times of difficulty.  The swimming upstream had purpose, to adapt me spiritually.

I must  face the struggles of today and in days ahead bravely and confidently with the knowledge of that truth.  “I consider that my present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in me.” (Romans 8:18 NIrV personalized by me)

God does not allow suffering into my life just to watch me squirm.  He intends to bring blessing from every pain.

He can.  He is God.  And I am simply not.

Hallelujah

Copycat...

When I was a child, being called a copycat was a bad thing.  When my little brother repeated every word I said, trying to make his voice sound like mine, it was more than annoying.  Telling him to ‘stop copying me’ was useless.

I have heard it said that it’s a compliment.  I can do without compliments.

Being a copycat isn’t a new thing.  Personally I think the devil started it all.  He wanted to be like God.  From the incident in the garden he has been copying God and he hasn’t stopped yet.

In Revelation, John described the vision he was given.  Chapter 13 describes a dragon, a beast from the sea, and a beast from the earth.   I don’t put a lot of time trying to assign an identity to them. Whoever they are they are certainly not God.  In fact, they are yet another copycat of Him.



Satan tries to pass himself off as triune.  Our God is three in one.  The holy Trinity.  Satan’s dragon and his beasts are three but they are separate and they are unholy.

“…the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.” (Revelation 13:3 NIV)

Satan even counterfeits the wounds of Christ.

“ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark.” (Revelation 13:16 NIV)

Satan counterfeits the seal of the Holy Spirit.

“…a second beast……exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf.” (Revelation 13:11-12 NIV)

Satan counterfeits the relationship and unity of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son.


Satan is a copycat.

We are wise to know the authentic Creator so well that we spot a copycat without pause.


“Whoever has ears, let them hear.”(Revelation 13:9 NIV)

Thank You God for giving this Revelation to John.  Thank You that it has stood the test of time, preserved throughout the ages so that we know the end of our story.  Come what may, You are God and You will not be displaced from Your throne.  

Hallelujah.