Get Ready for Hell’s Gate…

It does seem like for decades, not much happens, and then, in just a matter of weeks or even days, decades happen.

It reminds me of the Fraser River Canyon in British Columbia, where a normally peaceful river flowing through a grassy, tranquil plateau region, plunges into what is known as Hells Gate where an insane amount of water suddenly plunges through a rapidly declining, exceedingly narrow, solid rock gorge.

As you row, row, row your boat gently down the Fraser River, merrily, merrily, merrily upstream of Hells Gate, life is but a dream. Maybe even boring. But then those who are paying attention notice the subtle changes. The speed is picking up. The river is narrowing. The experienced boat captains are on high alert.

They know the signs and they know all Hell is about to break loose.

That’s why they call it Hells Gate. But this is not their first rodeo (to change metaphors for a second). They know how to navigate the rapids, the plunges, the rock cliffs, and the boulders mid-stream. This is where they thrive.

They don’t fear the storm. They were made for it. (Yet another metaphor)

This is their opportunity. And they are not afraid. They came for this. It didn’t catch them by surprise. And they’ve been preparing for it, long before the river became a torrent.

While they have a healthy respect for the soon approaching, highly turbulent waters, they know that it is the only path to the ocean, where bounty beyond calculation exists.

I share this analogy with you because I hear the sound of rushing water. It’s hard not to. It’s just that most people either ignore it or don’t know what it means. For some, it instills fear, but for you and me… get ready for the ride of your life. You may never see another one like it.

I don’t know the specifics, and neither do you. But I do know the sound of mighty rushing waters, the narrowing of the gorge and I can almost taste it.

Many on this river are pulling over to the side waiting to be rescued, believing the emergency evacuation is God’s plan. But I submit that we are called to invade the gates of Hell, rescuing others along the way.

Ours is not a gospel of fear, cowering and defeat. It is the gospel of the kingdom, not the refugee camp. Christ is the King of kings, not the prince of paupers. Ours is a gospel of victory. And victory can only be achieved against a backdrop of challenge and tribulations.

Don’t tap out before the river narrows.

You are needed in the battle. My heart’s cry is “Lord… please keep me on the field.” Sure, heaven is wonderful beyond imagination, but He didn’t put me on Earth so I could while the days away thinking about Heaven.

There is territory to be taken, victories to be won, the kingdom of God to be well represented as a witness to all nations before He returns. (Matthew 24:14) That’s more than just dropping a gospel track in Liberia or a radio signal in Siberia, as helpful as those things may be. It’s even more than preaching a really good sermon. “The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20)

And power is best demonstrated… Not just talked about.

The world needs to see the kingdom of God demonstrated in front of their eyes, not just described as some future experience by someone who cannot demonstrate it to save their own life.

And guess what?

That demonstration can take place, in fact should take place in the open marketplace. The people who need it the most aren’t planning on being in church this Sunday… or next.

There are so many ways to demonstrate the kingdom of God. One of them is leading a victorious life in challenging circumstances.

God has abundantly provided you with EVERYTHING you need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3).

When you were born again and Jesus took up residence in you, He didn’t just drop off a lock of His hair. He took up residence with the Father AND the Holy Spirit inside you! (John 14:23) Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:19 is that you would be filled with ALL the fullness of God.

That’s HUGE!

I had a dream this past week, where I saw that I had, and indeed every believer has, something akin to a silver box in their chest with the fullness of God, so to speak inside. Everything you can possibly imagine to ask God for, He has put within that silver box. (“If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” Mark 9:23)

Our problem is, it comes with a manual (the Bible) and a guide (the Holy Spirit) and we scarcely read the manual or consult with the Holy Spirit to know how to appropriate what He has already provided. And thus we beg and complain or blame God for our lack.

Do you have a smart phone, laptop or late model car that does things and has features you know come with it, but you don’t know how to access? Does your ignorance mean those features don’t exist or don’t really work?

Not at all! I just need to read the owners manual, maybe get on the phone with customer care. Same is true with your Christian experience.

Read the manual. Spend time with customer care (the Guide – John 16:13) and things will begin to change. Furthermore, you will begin to get excited about the rapids, and know that you will emerge into a brighter day, stronger and more vibrant than ever with new vistas and greater supply than you ever imagined!

I have found a seven step progression that I was going to tell you about in this blog to help you get there, but as you may have noticed already, it’s getting kinda long. So I will continue that in successive blogs. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss another life changing message.

Gotta run. Keep Pursuing God!