Determination is the immediate and lasting effect of an intense atmosphere and environment. The question is then: What creates such an intense atmosphere? I will suggest six reasons:
(1) God’s presence
(2) The earthly manifestation of His Heavenly world – the Kingdom of God
(3) The accurate presentation of Kingdom truth
(4) The existence of genuine potential and substance in a situation or in people
(5) The vitality and energy of new beginnings initiated by God
(6) When fathers and sons begin to walk together in destiny
Could it be some of the thoughts which were to be found in Esther's heart and mind? I do think it was the case.
When this happens separately or simultaneously in whatever combination and chronology, intensity is obvious and tangible… almost expected. At Mt Sinai, the mountains were shaking and they ran from it. At Pentecost minds and hearts were shaken but they ran to it and the city was deeply affected.
It cannot fail because deep levels are touched in God’s heart, world and will. Heaven and Earth merge, the powers of coming worlds are in operation and people come home to the Father.
This intensity has an effect on people present, people who engage what is taking place. Intensity creates determination which is the most obvious response to it. Something unusual and extraordinary is discovered, seen and heard, registered and tasted. As Jesus foresaw: “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matt 5,14).
Acts 2 shows all that with immense clarity.
John wrote about it:
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life — the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father…” 1 John 1,1-2
Something from the beginning of the world, John wrote. Maybe all the way back to the cosmic and majestic moments of Creation, something which had been revealed to the apostles and the prophets who saw it, and heard it. They looked upon it. The substance was eternal divine life; the powers of the worlds to come were involved. The Spirit-atmosphere of these words was saturated by God’s presence and it seemed even difficult for John to articulate it with precision. He tried his best to ’bear witness to it’. He said that it was the eternal life which was with the Father.
No wonder these people put all their trust in Him.
No wonder they took the intensive training and shaping and reforming… even when the journey meant death to self/ego, personal opinions, good ideas and plans.
No wonder the apostles wrote letters with deep and world-shaking revelations both when they were free and when they were imprisoned.
No wonder they couldn’t keep their mouth shut, and refused to keep silent, neither in prison-cells nor before kings and priests.
No wonder they could rejoice over their sufferings… they had tasted the untastable and touched the untouchable.
No wonder they raised their voices as one man quoting Psalm 2, written centuries ago by King David but extremely relevant after the death and resurrection of the Son of David, Christ Jesus, the Son of God now operating through the apostolic fathers.
No wonder it shook every structure, even the physical ones. But also the spiritual ones and priests were saved.
No wonder God vindicated their hearts, their determination, their courage, their sonship by filling all with a new measure of His Spirit.
No wonder!
Be determined
Philip DuPont
February 2019
(1) God’s presence
(2) The earthly manifestation of His Heavenly world – the Kingdom of God
(3) The accurate presentation of Kingdom truth
(4) The existence of genuine potential and substance in a situation or in people
(5) The vitality and energy of new beginnings initiated by God
(6) When fathers and sons begin to walk together in destiny
Could it be some of the thoughts which were to be found in Esther's heart and mind? I do think it was the case.
When this happens separately or simultaneously in whatever combination and chronology, intensity is obvious and tangible… almost expected. At Mt Sinai, the mountains were shaking and they ran from it. At Pentecost minds and hearts were shaken but they ran to it and the city was deeply affected.
It cannot fail because deep levels are touched in God’s heart, world and will. Heaven and Earth merge, the powers of coming worlds are in operation and people come home to the Father.
This intensity has an effect on people present, people who engage what is taking place. Intensity creates determination which is the most obvious response to it. Something unusual and extraordinary is discovered, seen and heard, registered and tasted. As Jesus foresaw: “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matt 5,14).
Acts 2 shows all that with immense clarity.
John wrote about it:
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life — the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father…” 1 John 1,1-2
Something from the beginning of the world, John wrote. Maybe all the way back to the cosmic and majestic moments of Creation, something which had been revealed to the apostles and the prophets who saw it, and heard it. They looked upon it. The substance was eternal divine life; the powers of the worlds to come were involved. The Spirit-atmosphere of these words was saturated by God’s presence and it seemed even difficult for John to articulate it with precision. He tried his best to ’bear witness to it’. He said that it was the eternal life which was with the Father.
No wonder these people put all their trust in Him.
No wonder they took the intensive training and shaping and reforming… even when the journey meant death to self/ego, personal opinions, good ideas and plans.
No wonder the apostles wrote letters with deep and world-shaking revelations both when they were free and when they were imprisoned.
No wonder they couldn’t keep their mouth shut, and refused to keep silent, neither in prison-cells nor before kings and priests.
No wonder they could rejoice over their sufferings… they had tasted the untastable and touched the untouchable.
No wonder they raised their voices as one man quoting Psalm 2, written centuries ago by King David but extremely relevant after the death and resurrection of the Son of David, Christ Jesus, the Son of God now operating through the apostolic fathers.
No wonder it shook every structure, even the physical ones. But also the spiritual ones and priests were saved.
No wonder God vindicated their hearts, their determination, their courage, their sonship by filling all with a new measure of His Spirit.
No wonder!
Be determined
Philip DuPont
February 2019
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