Are You Willing To Pay The Cost? by Myra Boozer

Matthew 16:24, "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

There may be those who want to claim Christianity without making a lifetime commitment and completely selling out to this world. But that is what it will take to become a follower of Christ. Jesus tells us in His Word to take up our cross and follow Him. That means the same to any and all of us. The plan is the same for all. "Follow Me!" Jesus' own words cry out to us daily.

To make a start for Christ is very personal and life-changing. But it isn't just a one-time deal and back to the same old life. It is a complete turnaround with everything that touches our life. I will say it is not a bed of roses, although the Rose of Sharon, Jesus Christ, will be your personal coach, your encourager, and your ever-constant friend.

When you are convicted of your sin, you realize that the only one who can help you with its weight and penalty is Jesus Christ. You have come to the most important realization known to mankind. You are brought to a place of humility and submission, a place of surrender not just for the moment but for the rest of your life. You come to understand what a great price Jesus paid on the cross of Calvary, and you’re willing to become His servant, not for a day or a week but forever. (continued)

Getting Ready To Leave? Or, Getting Ready To Stay?

Hebrews 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Your answer to this question will determine your eternal destiny. Will you assimilate into a world system governed by carnal man, or will you be a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven governed by God? The two are as different as light and darkness. Man’s ways are not God’s ways and God’s ways are not man’s ways.

In recent years we have heard many world leaders speak of the globalization of systems and nations. Globalization appears to be the dominant worldview. It simply means the development of an integrated global economy marked by free trade, free flow of capital, and tapping into cheaper foreign labor markets. Finance is the driving force behind most organizational entities in all the world. Money is power and power is money! However, there is much more at stake here than money. To be a world player, one must be prepared to make concessions. You cannot expect to hold one hundred percent to your ideals and values and still participate successfully in the global economy. Presently, the powers that be are colluding together, and many are bowing to the promise of financial power.

As children of God, we are not citizens of this world! We were not created to function in this environment that engulfs all of mankind. We are created for a better world and for much greater purpose than what this world can offer. We were made to walk with God in the midst of His creation in the cool of the day. We were made to share in intimate relationship with God, to share with Him in intimate communion all the days of our lives. We were made to be free from all the human encumbrances that sin has brought upon this world.

We are not citizens of this world! We are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, we must be separate from the worldliness that seeks daily to invade our lives. Manipulation is of the devil. A spirit of control is orchestrated by Satan. People in leadership roles must beware lest they be influenced by the desire to control the outcome. God is the only true standard, and His Will is the only blessed outcome! (continued) 

Come Up Higher! by Myra Boozer

Lord Jesus, push back the darkness that is coming against every child of God. Lord, please help us to delight in your Light and your never-ending Love. Set our feet on a clear path and give our minds and hearts a deep understanding of who you are, our Creator and the Father of all mankind! You love like no other. You are our constant friend who will stand by us when the whole world is sound asleep. You are never far but always near. You come, and call us to come up higher, high above the sad and the gloom that tries to hide your love from us.

You call for us all to open our eyes and see all your beauty. You call us to know you by name, and recognize your loving voice. You call us to hold your hand, and know that you are our Protector. You pick us up, and carry us when we can no longer walk on our own. You are the one who rescues us when the winds of evil blow across our path. You wipe our tears and wash our face. You reassure us of who we are, and who YOU are, Our Loving Father. You will never leave us, nor forsake us, as You invite us to Come Up Higher! 

Lord, What Would You Have Us Do?

Acts 9:6, “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

Saul was on his way to Damascus with documents to imprison followers of Jesus Christ. This text recounts Saul’s response to his Divine Encounter with Jesus on the road that day. Saul had his own objective, but God had a different path planned for him. It took a Divine Revelation to change him and the direction he was going. Confronted with the Presence of Jesus Christ, his response was, “Lord, what would you have me do?” We would do well to seek God for the same attitude of submission that we could proclaim, “Lord Jesus, what would you have me do?

God, help us to yearn for Your Divine Presence and the Revelation of Your Truth! Lord Jesus, open our hearts, our minds, and our souls to hear Your voice today! We need a revelation of Your plan. We are not seeking an understanding by this mortal flesh. We are seeking Divine revelation of the Word of God. The same revelation that the Old Testament prophets experienced as they walked in obedience and depended upon the impartation of Your instruction and anointing to bring the relevant Word from God to the people of God. The same revelation that the New Testament apostles experienced as You called them out and set them apart to be Your voice for Your message to a world in crisis, lost, and without hope except for Jesus' sacrifice.

Holy Spirit, take charge of this mortal flesh! Lead us along the correct path to receiving God's revelation and understanding of His Word relevant to where we are today. We are not seeking insight built upon human understanding because that is empty and fruitless. The revelation of Your truth surpasses all human understanding and is far above this world's knowledge. The hope of our heart and our soul's desire is to receive and impart Your truth. Your truth delivers the sin-sick soul, frees the shackled, and heals the wounded heart. Lord, revive Your Word afresh in our souls and lead us to those in need! Lead us, Lord, and we will follow wherever You open up the door! Lord, What Would YOU Have Us Do? 

Opposition Will Come! by Myra Boozer

Do you believe that God's guidance is more important than common sense? When Corrie Ten Boom came to America years ago, after her release from Ravensbrück Prison Camp, she was asked, "Why did you come to America?" She replied, "God directed me. All I could do was obey." "That's nonsense," they answered. “There is no such thing as direct guidance from God. Experience proves we must use our common sense. If you are here and out of money, then it is your fault, not God's.” Corrie tried to argue back in God's defense. "But God's guidance is even more important than common sense. I am certain He told me to bring His message to America. I can declare that the deepest darkness is outshone by the light of Jesus." "We have ministers to tell us such things was the reply.” "Certainly, but I can tell from my experience in a concentration camp that what such ministers say is true." They replied, “It would have been better for you to have remained in Holland. We don't need any more preachers. Too many Europeans come to America. They should be stopped."

Needless to say, these were very discouraging words to Corrie. She was embarrassed and humbled. She had money in Holland, but the funds could not be brought to America. MY POINT IS THIS...the world is not going to strengthen you in spiritual matters. They will let you down, even tear you down. Yes, this was coming from "church people," but they had not been where Corrie had been and received what Corrie had received. They were looking through different eyes, the eyes of reasoning and common sense, not through eyes of FAITH and TRUST.

Where is your guidance coming from today? Are you looking to the world for direction, using their reasoning and common sense? OR, are you looking to Jesus and His word? Do you feel that calm assurance that even if all of your friends and loved ones turn away from you, that you will still listen to the still small voice of the Lord and follow Him? He takes pleasure in those who do, and He will keep you in all of your ways.

I had no idea that Corrie met with such rejection and opposition in America at that time, but that did not stop her. Is it stopping you? 

Are We Prepared To Engage This Enemy?

James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

The course of human history is directly related to the willingness of mankind to seek after and follow the sovereign will of God. In recent years we have seen a digression from Biblical morals and values. This behavior has brought us to where we are as a nation and as a world community. The consequences of rebellion will rule eternity. How we respond to the voice of God will determine our future and the future of all who will hear us.

The stage is set for Satan's last stand. The spirit of Antichrist is moving all his players into their positions. The world population is following the deception like sheep to the slaughter. Because the nations have rejected the influence of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit, God has left them to their own devices and to the destruction of their societal structure.

The alarm should be shouted from every mountain top. The whole world is preparing for the last phase. The last phase will be the “new world order,” or “one world order.” The spirit of Antichrist is energized by the Prince of Darkness. We know from Scripture that Satan’s goal is one-world government and one world religion.

Individual liberties are being destroyed, and control is being relegated to the powers that be...The stage is set, and the players are moving into place. The sin of the world hastens the coming judgment. Let the watchman on the wall cry aloud as the enemy approaches. In doing so, he will save himself and all who will hear him! 

Be Strong In The Lord, In The Power Of His Might! Conclusion by Myra Boozer

(For part 1 see 8/3/26)

The siren sounded; the guards shouted, “Get to work!” Thousands of women prisoners were running to their places. Tiny disappeared. Only Corrie was left standing in her place. She did not know what fate awaited her. She did know, however, that God never slumbers or sleeps. She thought she could hear the angels singing. Then she heard her name called. Was it death? Oh, thank God, no! It was life. She was being released. She later learned it was due to an administrative blunder, but she knew it was not the end of an era. It was just the beginning. Ahead of her was the world. Later, as she stood in the prison yard waiting for the final order, a fellow prisoner whispered, “Tiny died this morning.” The next week all the women Corrie's age were ordered to be killed.

I told you all of that to tell you this. Today the Preacher said we must get tough! We will not be able to stand against what is coming on this world, especially against Christians. If you get upset over little things and want to give up, you will not make it in the days ahead. This was an outstanding, timely message. The scripture text was from Jeremiah 12:5, “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” We must get strong in the Lord to make it when persecution comes on this world. The World has nothing to make you strong for the day that is coming. It must come from the Lord. He is our ONLY HOPE.

As many gathered in the altar and the Pastor prayed for each person, his wife was singing softly about the Hiding Place, the secret place for those who are in Christ Jesus. We had come full circle to the thoughts God gave me yesterday morning. “The Hiding Place” is the first book I read by Corrie Ten Boom. I believe God wants us to get stronger than what we are now. People who have suffered much are the strongest. Troubles and trials can make you or break you. Don't give up, but press on knowing that Jesus never leaves you.…

Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”