Convinced of Better Things

Better things! Throughout the body of Christ many saints have been going through difficult circumstances, trials, and tribulations. This has been to groom and prepare us for “better things” on the horizon.

Over the past several years, the Lord has been faithful to release a prophetic word or insight at the beginning of each year that provides a central theme for that year. I was blessed and encouraged by the Scripture the Lord gave me during our new year’s conference in Alberta, Canada. It was Hebrews 6:9-10 declaring,

But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.

Clearly, there can be multiple applications to this Scripture. Even so, the context in which it was given indicated things will be better in 2008 than they were in 2007. As we have already prophesied, this year should be a year of both completion and new beginnings simultaneously.

There are “better things” that we should be experiencing this year that will only increase in the season ahead. That is not to turn a blind eye to the distressing conditions that exist in our nation and around the world and the clear need for repentance. Instead, it is intended to give hope and expectation to God’s people who have allowed His refining process to run its course and emerge with significant anointing and authority.

Arise and Shine

As difficult times escalate in the world, the Church will be called upon more and more to provide hope and answers that cannot be provided by natural means. After all, our message is “good news!” We have the gospel of good news in the salvation provided by the Lord Jesus and His great sacrifice.

We are the salt of the earth and the light of the nations. Though many judgment prophecies are being circulated, we believe this will be a significant time of advancement and blessing for the righteous and judgment on unrighteousness. That is God’s system of justice!

Justice is defined as the act of determining rights by assigning rewards or punishments. It is the process of finding favor for one party and discipline upon another. The Bible outlines that righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne. To only prophesy judgment would be to see only one side of the scales of justice.

Moving on to Maturity

Hebrews 6 is a call to maturity. We see a natural progression of growth leading to the outpouring of His Spirit producing two results; the faithful stewardship of God’s anointing that leads to fruitfulness and unrighteous stewardship yielding thorns and thistles. We are persuaded of “better things” for this generation and a fruitful harvest of laborers who will be notably used in the great harvest…we must therefore contend for this reality.

A careful examination of church history reveals many noble ministries that consistently produced good fruit and also others that gave in to the spirit of this world and resulted in failure or disillusionment. Though the preparation process has been intense and painful, the end result will be vessels equipped to carry on the work of ministry and produce things that “accompany salvation.”

Salvation is the single greatest gift God has ever offered humanity. It will take all of eternity to fully comprehend what it means to become a part of Christ and joint heirs with Him. Even so, the Bible also articulates there are many benefits that accompany the salvation experience.

Heaven on Earth

It is wonderful to have the expectation that when our life on this earth ends we have a new beginning with Him in Heaven; but we are also discovering the possibility of bringing a little of Heaven down to earth to manifest His kingdom to a lost generation.

David said it this way in Psalms 103:1-5,

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Among His many benefits we discover healing of the body and soul along with the hope and expectation of natural and spiritual blessings to satisfy our years on this earth. Furthermore, the Lord has promised to be a father to the fatherless; a faithful friend who laid down his life for others; and the One who delegates gifts among mankind.

We are fully expectant of better things for this coming season; things that accompany salvation. We have this expectation not because we are qualified in ourselves but, as the apostle Paul articulates, we are qualified because of what the Lord has provided for us. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 declares,

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

The stress and turmoil in the world will continually increase as this present age reaches its completion and the Lord’s Kingdom is prepared to be revealed. The confrontation between light and darkness will also escalate as evil will become greater. Likewise, the children of light must respond to offer hope and salvation through the Lord’s redemptive work.