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If you look at some of the blessed people of God promotion follows a conflict of faith. Jacob, for instance, has a change of nature becoming Israel when he knows he has to face his brother Esau from whom he stole his birthright and his blessing. Joseph, who dreams his brothers will bow down to him, is thrown in a pit and later put in prison before his promotion to authority and the fulfillment of the dream. Elisha makes sure he stays with Elijah knowing that God is going to take Elijah to be with him so that he receives the mantle of Elijah. Promotion is the consequence of a transaction of faith. We are saved by grace through faith and the sin and fear of hell or facing the particular predicament we are in becomes the gateway to promotion into the kingdom of God. It is those who by faith and patience inherit the promises. Once we are born again we have to work out our salvation. The process of promotion is a life long transaction. Abraham’s faith was tested over years. Jacob’s nature was changed later in life. Consequently we must put in our time, learn how to love God and neighbor, live by faith, and mortify the deeds of the flesh. If we do, then our faith will carry us to our destination and we will live in victory. For me at sixty two, promotion has always followed crisis. I was saved by an act of God when I was very sick. After five years of severe struggle I stabilized on medication. For some fifteen years life was stable and I used it to learn the word of God and be active in ministry. Then new crises emerged and subsequently I was delivered from fleshly spirits and received an outpouring of the Spirit, a new promotion. God has slowly stripped me from the world, stripped me from the flesh, and stripped me from the pride of life so that I might hear his still small voice. The battle for me today is to resist temptation, keep my mind focused on what is good, pure, and noble, and be a blessing to those God places on my path. If I do, I know promotion will follow. If a crisis has emerged in your life, realize it as an opportunity for promotion. The only kind of faith that is real is a challenged faith, a tested faith and the trial of your faith is much more precious than gold. Have faith. Have the God kind of faith. Speak to your mountain of difficulty. Don’t be surprised at the trial. It is the way we get to a new place. It is the way we get strong. God wants to promote you! Amen |