Greetings in Messiah my brothers and sisters in the body. I wished to share a thought that ran through me this morning after devotion. All businesses have financial statements. One statement is called a balance sheet where all assets and liabilities are listed. For a company to be solvent, the assets must exceed the liabilities so they are not in the red but in the black.
I thought about my personal balance sheet as far as how have things changed since I became a believer 5 years ago.
First the liabilities:
I am still somewhat physically impaired on my left side from the auto accident 5 years ago. I am still alone, without a mate, and even more alone since the tragic death of my daughter in July of this year in an auto accident. I am still in debt to the bank.
So what’s changed?
In all my adversity, I have a peace that transcends understanding.
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV)
I have a hope in things not yet seen. Heb 11:7: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” (NIV); Rom 4:17: “As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed– the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” (NIV); Rom 4:18: “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.'” (NIV) I have become a person who cares for others which I was not before. I have a spiritual family in the body of believers worldwide and an even closer family (mishpucha) in my congregation, City of David, for whom I pray and try to edify as they do for me likewise. I no longer drink and smoke or go to bars. I have a vision for the salvation of Israel that God has promised. Rom 11:26: “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.'” (NIV) So if I take my balance sheet and evaluate it; not much might look different on the surface, but below the exterior, in the places that are most important, there has been a major transformation, which has made this person solvent.
Father: I thank You for this thought and the revelation of the truth of who I am in You. In the name of Yeshua, I loose the presence of the Holy Spirit on everyone reading this, to reveal the truth of their solvency in You and the faith we have in Your Son. Amen!
Ilan Mann