- Signs of the Kingdom, Part XVI
In last week’s WFTW I shared about my recent experience of having my worst fear come upon me—a stroke. I also shared how I started to experience the presence of the Lord during this time. I don’t want to imply this trial was not difficult. It was one of the most difficult experiences I have ever faced, yet worth it! The more I embraced the trial and thanked the Lord for it, the more I felt His joy.
One thing I had hoped I would do if I ever faced a trial like this was not tolerate self-pity in any way. That is the opposite of being thankful, which we are commanded to do “in everything” (see I Thessalonians 5:18). Even the doctors and nurses started commenting on my positive attitude. Some even started hanging out in my room. I think it was the peace and joy they felt in the Lord’s presence. Still, the Lord hadn’t said anything to me until about ten days into the experience—I had a dream.
The Lord said to me in that dream, “You are not to lead people to a place, but to a state of mind. The kingdom of God is within you.” The dream ended and I awoke. Such a simple truth I have known and preached nearly all my life, yet when He said it, I realized I had not been living it.
As Romans 14:17 declares, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
That is a state of mind. He seeks to establish His kingdom in our minds. If He rules our minds, we can and will have peace and joy in any place and any situation, even beyond the comprehension of those who do not experience this. Many of the martyrs experienced this, which often astonished and convicted their persecutors.
The world is growing in fear and anxiety because everything that can be shaken is now being shaken, which is nearly everything man has built. Even many things we have built our lives and hopes upon are being shaken. If they are, be thankful because they will all work out for our good, even when we don’t understand. Believing when we don’t understand is one of the highest forms of faith that pleases God.
A few years ago, a friend, Robin McMillan, and I processed together how gratefulness can profoundly transform our lives. Together, we resolved to live this by being grateful for everything. Immediately, we experienced positive results, as if someone had turned up the lights on everything. Soon after my stroke, Robin had a brain aneurysm that could well have taken his life. I wanted to go see him in the hospital as soon as I could, but before I could he called to tell me not to bother because he would be home soon. So much joy came through that phone. He was obviously enjoying himself immensely, though he had been in intensive care for more than a week with a seemingly permanent headache.
Robin’s joy was not in the pain or circumstances, which was no fun at all. His joy was on the inside, which could not be affected by those external things. Our peace and joy can be greater than anything that happens to us and should be for all who have faith in the Lord. Stephen, the first martyr, demonstrated this, even as the stones that would kill him were hitting him.
When we fall upon any crisis or emergency, we may be there for many reasons, but surely bringing peace and joy is one of them. If there is a crisis or discord at the office, we are there to bring peace and joy. If we are steadfast and don’t lose ours, peace and joy will prevail. The Lord is called the “Lord of armies” more than any other title, but we are told in Romans 16:20, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Don’t ever lose your peace; don’t ever lose your joy. They will prevail over anything if we hold on to them.
© 2023 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.
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