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Jesus Lifts Us Up - To More Than We Can Be

by Matt Thompson  
5/23/2008 / Devotionals

"I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.

I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You Holy Father, keep them in Your Name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.

While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves." - (Prayer of our High Priest, Jesus - John 17:9-13 )


"When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary. When troubles come and my heart burdened be. Then, I am still and wait here in the silence, until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains! You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas! I am strong, when I am on your shoulders. You raise me up.. to more than I can be." - (You Raise Me Up - by Selah)

This song of praise holds a special place in my heart and ministers greatly to my spirit for a couple of reasons. One of those reasons is because of the Truth in which I know it speaks.

I am fully acquainted with the human side of each and every one of us that can at times, lead us into almost total despair. We have so many things in this world that are hateful and evil toward us - Cancer, physical disabilities, untold variations of sicknesses, hurt, anger, abuse, addictions, lost loved ones, problems at work, finances, divorce, abandonment, the wiles of the enEmy saTan in his never-ending bag of tricks designed to mis-direct us in our attempts to apply God's precious Instruction (the Bible) to our lives... And all these things are hardly even the beginning to what we must face in this hurting and dying world each and every day.

Honestly speaking, there are times when it simply gets to be too much for us. Sometimes we may just feel like rolling over and dying just to put an end to it all... Sometimes we withdraw from everyone in the world... Sometimes we lay our heads in our pillows and desire never to arise... We lay down our Bibles because It just doesn't help that much... there's just so much wrong with the world! Sometimes we reach for a bottle to ease the pain... a needle... sometimes we reach for a person we "think" can make life better for us in marriage, children, or any form of relationship that might be able to help... But sadly enough, we always find that eventually none of these things are enough in themselves to remedy the pain that resides within us, and the pains that seem to be renewed each and every day we are forced to get out and try to deal with this despicable place called earth and the people in it...

But even in the midst of all that and so much more in grief, struggle, calamity, heart-break and turmoil, thank God we have a Savior that was "perfected in humanity through suffering" (Hebrews 2:10). Jesus fully understands everything I just mentioned and so much more of the evil I have never encountered! These are the reasons that prompted His mighty prayer on our behalf in John 17 !

The second reason the song of power above ministers to me so greatly, is that it became the personal testimony of a very dear friend of mine, Dave Sammons. He repeatedly sung this song in the midst of our congregation during praise and worship. To Dave? It isn't just another song. It came to be the only song he would sing in the final months of his life, as cancer eventually claimed his flesh.

As I would watch Dave, in the midst of his final days, stand before our church and sing this song with his morphine pump strategically hidden within his suit, I always thought to myself that this was the most courageous man I had ever known. He did not sing this song out of habit. He sung it with certainty and POWER. My sister Beth would frequently sing this song with him, as the song transposed it would go above his vocal range, but still well within Beth's, when she wasn't overcome by emotion to the Truth they were preaching in the music.

But as I sit here producing this writ, I realize that it really wasn't courage at all that manifested this unwavering and powerful testimony from Dave. Or if it was courage, I now realize there was something that empowered that courage, that easily endured all the way to the grave of his flesh... It was Dave's "faith in Jesus" that enabled him to face death unafraid. He always thought the process of his decline was much more painful to all of us around him (especially his wife and children) than it was on him.

Dave finally passed from this realm into the arms of our Father, and he left with the last words on his lips being, "I am healed. I am healed." You see, Dave never forgot about the Joy he gained when he was granted salvation from our Lord. saTan never distracted Dave from the fact that Dave was always in the hands of a mighty, loving God that had a grip on him (Dave) and nothing could ever make God "let go" of him... And you know what? He was right... on ALL counts. God never let go... and Dave was finally healed.

Dave gave all of us that knew him something very special. He gave us a testimony of power in God that touched all that knew him, and this gift he gave to us will never be forgotten by any of us. It is one of those things you never forget, and it serves to embolden, strengthen and lift us all up continually... Especially in those trying times when we really need it. Because of Dave's testimony and witness of life, even beyond his grave his gift endures... and will continually endure in the hearts and minds of us all with the Holy Spirit within us all bearing witness in our spirit every step of the way, every day.

So why do I tell you of all this today? Because I want you to realize the Truth about yourself despite what you may think at this moment. I want you to realize that in no way can saTan ever rob you of your importance on this earth to those around you. Through Jesus, all things are possible, including every minute of your life being of great importance to all around you. Your life has purpose. You ARE victorious over the world! Nothing can keep the Spirit of God down, even in this flesh!

Perhaps from time to time you struggle to get out of bed or you struggle with one or more of the circumstances described above in your life. As a born again Christian, I challenge you to pick up your Bible and read John 17. Read it and re-read it. If there is something within you that can believe Jesus has prayed for you and your circumstances... if there is something that tells you that no matter how bad things seem, that God is in control of it all and has it all in the palm of His Mighty Hand... If there is something that tells you there is a "Joy" to be regained through the Might and Truth of His Word, then I challenge you to find it and identify it... pick it up with your heart and possess it right here in John 17. Perhaps you can find a reason to throw the sheets back and out your feet on the floor! Perhaps you can even... Stand? Jesus also endured it all. He overcame it all. Through Him, you can "adapt and overcome" also.

Perhaps this writ will find someone that isn't saved. Perhaps it will find someone who thought them self saved by way of "religious protocols", but never has been "born again" in the Spirit. To you? I have to tell you there is no way you could possibly understand what I've just said in your current state. But if you will? God would like to see you kneeling before Him with a repentive heart and faith in Jesus for your salvation, seeking Him as your Lord, your Saviour, your Way, your Truth and your Life! If you can go there? God will take you the rest of the way... And what a glorious quest it will be!

There may be those among us here in our online community that struggle with the flesh in one form or the other exactly as I have described above... They are afflicted in every way, but not crushed. They are perplexed, but not despairing. They are persecuted, but not forsaken. They are literally struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:7-9). They continue to minister to the world despite circumstances that would kill any normal human being! I can tell you with 100% certainty, you can live this life also! God blesses each and every one of us, each and every day with His Power and Truth. God is the ONLY source of Truth, you know...

This kind of power in Truth and life is available to any that look for it. Search for God. Seek His Truth. Read John 3:16 and John 17! Find a reason to "carry on"! Then may the world "stand back" as you re-gain your spiritual legs, walking in the POWER of God's TRUTH! Do this? And it will astound you in how God will use you! And to think you were all washed up!

God bless us all in the days and weeks to come as we endeavor in His Word, mature in His Spirit and make our way to be with Jesus at the Marriage Supper of The Lamb! Glory To God! Praise our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ! Amen & Amen!

Matt has been a preacher of the gospels where and when God directs. An ordained minister, he manages an online Christian community at www.MotivationByGrace.org , where he has authored devotionals and articles alike Matt is also a freelance writer for Ezraweb.com .

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