David Lee Martin

It’s April first. Some call it April fool’s day.

I’m reminded of the Scripture:

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psalm 53:1 KJV)

Or the indictment, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22 KJV), speaking of those whose “expert” wisdom betrays their feeble understanding of reality.

And such clownish cleverness begins with the most slippery fool of all. His nature and methods have never changed and always begin with the same whispered words…

“Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1 NLT)

And of course, he doesn’t barge in to obliterate truth at the outset, merely smudge the edges. Only later does he outright contradict. You will not surely die he later asserts, knowing full will you will.

“Did God really say that the world was created in six literal days?”

“Did God really say there is only one way to Heaven?”

“Did God really say the flood covered the whole world in catastrophic judgement?”

“Did God really say do not add or take away from the words of this book?”

“Did God really say if I or even an angel from Heaven preach any other gospel let him be cursed?”

“Did God really say you are personally accountable and will be answerable to Him alone for every action you take and word you speak?”

Or creative adaptations of age old doubt bombs…

“Where is the promise of his coming, nothing has changed for centuries?”

“How can a loving God send people to an eternal hell?”

“You’re a good person, God will not judge you.”

“How can you be so proud as to say that yours is the only way to God.”

“All religions are the same.”

“Truth? What is truth?”

“There is no God!”

There will come a day when the father of fools will go screaming with his followers to a fiery eternal day that will never end.

Don’t be fooled.

The Bible is the true and trustworthy Word of God – 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament, 27 in the New. One book, by many writers, with One supernatural Author. All additions, adaptions and addendums are false.

Jesus is real, the one and only begotten Son of Eternal God – the Saviour of mankind. The unique and only way to God. There is no other name under Heaven by which a man can be saved.

Born of a virgin, slain for the sins of humankind, buried and raised on the third day, He will soon return to judge the earth.

Once overcome with water, the world will next face the fierce fires of God’s wrath – The loving God who sent His only Son, becoming flesh and blood Himself to save His beloved mankind, is also holy and bound by His own spotless character to judge rebellion and sin. No one is exempt.

God’s love is reaching out to you today in the person of Jesus Christ. Be reconciled to Him today. Repent, turn from your sins, and believe the good news.

In the words of Jim Elliott:

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

All else will fade but His words will never pass away.

To know Him is eternal life.

Here are some soundbite lessons from the last 365. What are yours? Share them in the comments…

1. Consistency is key to creative production…

Consistency is one of the fruits of patience at work in our spirit. Consistent pressure and action in one direction over time is powerful.

2. Persistence not perspiration is the route to prolific creation…

A small amount each day patiently and persistently produced leads to a remarkable body of work, far more than spurts of sweaty production crammed into short windows of ‘inspiration’.

3. Inspiration lives in you ready to tap at any time …

Jesus said rivers of living water will spring from your inner man. Tapping the flow is skill you learn by letting down your bucket into your heart well daily.

4. Sometimes the greatest blessings come when you don’t get what you think you wanted…

The divine hand leads us into experiences with Him that are driven by the hunger of the heart, and sometimes its the disappointments that remind us not to attach our joy to external outcomes.

5. Don’t be moved by metrics, make stuff anyways …

Number counting can discourage you from continuing. Your work is worthy of the world, even if right now the world doesn’t realise it. Keep creating because you never know when the key will turn in the door and the tipping point will come.

6. You find your voice by using it …

Don’t wait for perfection, lay your value on the table in all its imperfection. You will begin to hear your own voice singing through the noise and your communication will grow in clarity as you keep singing the song the Lord has placed in your spirit.

7. Prayer is the greatest service we can ever offer humanity…

Secret prayer seen only by the Father is the greatest service we ever offer, and the most richly rewarded.

8. Comparison and competition are an absolute diversion from your destiny.

God’s plans and pathway for your prosperity (and by that I mean far more than mere money) are perfectly and personally designed for your feet alone. There is no comparison possible to the joy you’ll discover when you step into His loving purposes.

9. Shut out the noise if you want to be present and walk in step with the presence of God.

Listen to me. The feeds you devour are designed to hook your jaw and reel you in to take actions conceived by someone else. Whether its to accept a thought, take a position, or press buy now, there is almost always an agenda. You will find a great freedom to choose when you close out the plethora of ‘choices’ the world wants to present you with and decide instead to focus on just one or but a few things of importance.

10. There is power and safety in community.

In the multitude of counsellors there is safety. That’s how the Bible describes a chosen community of trusted friends and advisors to walk the journey with you. Being part of something bigger than yourself empowers you to engage at a higher level. The people you engage with offer opportunities to see yourself in the mirror of their genius and insight, and to do the same for them in return.

11. Creating and consumption in balance (weighted well toward creation) is the pathway to progress.

It’s easy to think that reading, watching, or listening to someone teach a subject constitutes “taking action” but the act of consumption is not an action until it is applied. When the rubber meets the road traction happens and forward motion becomes not just possible but inevitable.

12. The best business to be in is the business of being yourself.

It’s not as simple as the sales pages spout, but it is absolutely possible to press through and discover what it looks like for you to turn up fully as yourself. You are not called to impress anyone, and your secret power is alive within you right now. In partnership with your Maker you will discover layer by layer just how magnificent His workmanship really is!

And one that goes without saying or explanation…

Jesus first – everything else follows!

As one year ends and another opens, a natural junction for reflection (looking back) presents itself. How have the last 365 stacked up? What moves have you made toward fulfilling your creative call in Christ?

The closing days also encourage a forthright future view. Looking forward.

The danger is that we’ll stand at the junction with regret for what’s gone, or pining for what once was, or stretching our view to some future hope with wistful longing, and lose ourselves in the in-between.

The past is there to inform your present. The future will be populated with ideas and actions you choose to take right now.

The present moment is the best present Heaven has given you. Now, this very moment, is the time you begin to build your future legacy.

What decisions will you make today fuelled by the lessons you have learned in the last 365, and spill with growing wisdom to tomorrow and the 364 that follow?

Here are some joyous signposts by the side of the road:

“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” (Romans 8:28 AMP)

“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP)

This doesn’t mean the path will be easy. Or that all your cherished hopes will miraculously fall into painless place. It doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges, but you are fitted to fight the battle and overcome. It means you’re formed to fill your place and stake your claim.

No devil can stop you. And if God be for you (which He is) who can stand against you.

God is a partner in your labour, and your obedient steps today will plant seeds that will bless generations to come.

If you want to send me a Christmas card it would take only five data points to single me out from the billions of others who live on this vast planet.

COUNTRY

TOWN/CITY

STREET

HOUSE NUMBER

NAME

Scripture provides over 300 data points that point to Jesus as the unique and only begotten Son of God, Messiah.

He alone is the only candidate for the Christ.

In one recollection from the great Book we find the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus where He bumps into to quizzical disciples, reasoning over the tragic events and mysterious happenings of the past few days.

Jesus doesn’t whip up a few post-resurrection magic tricks, or perform other-worthy feats to prove His place. Instead He opens the book, and then their minds and hearts to the wonder that is written in there…

“Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27 KJV)

One of the most astounding studies is the prophetic word concerning the promised Messiah. Hundreds of such prophecies are given in the Old Testament between 4000 to 400 years prior to His birth (Sixty major prophecies and 270 ramifications).

The early church often justified their preaching of Jesus by stating what was written in the Scriptures concerning Him. The Scriptures they referred to were Old Testament Scriptures (the New had not even been written!).

If we consider how little information is required to pinpoint one individual among billions (country, town/city, street, house number, name), the multiplicity of these signposts to the identity of Messiah leaves no doubt as to who the Person they point to really is – Jesus.

The prophecies are like an address pointing to one individual in history. Approximately forty major claims to be the Messiah have been made in Jewish history, but only Jesus Christ appealed to fulfilled prophecy to substantiate His claims, and only He carried the credentials to back up those claims.

The prophecies includes details of His family line, the place and miraculous nature of His birth, His life of miracles, the place, the time and the mode of His death. They also tell of His resurrection from the dead.

To view a full list and have your heart burn within you with the wonder of the Scriptures go to https://davidleemartin.com/go/messiah

“In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear). So I ask you not to lose heart [not to faint or become despondent through fear] …” (Ephesians 3:12–13 AMP)

Bold, naked prayers are invited in Heaven. No-hiding, no-excuse, no-worry requests are welcomed.

In Christ, we have boldness, because when we request we do so as if He Himself were standing in our place. His blood speaks on our behalf, removing any spot of sin, shame, or fear. His sacrifice says “yes” to every promise.

Your approach to God is unreserved.

In Christ.

While the world runs itself ragged with fear, you are urged not to faint. Don’t become despondent. The story’s written, the end is certain. You win!

For now, your free access is secure. Entrance to God’s realm is open through prayer. Boldly approach the throne of grace and pray on earth as in Heaven.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV)

Through Christ, prayer is the doorway that makes impossible things possible.