FRANCIS FRANGIPANE

Apr 12, 2002

Note from Steve Shultz: Francis has described his book, THE STRONGHOLD OF GOD as being written in response to people's questions on how he and his family are so protected from the enemy. You may order this book from THE ELIJAH LIST by calling THE ELIJAH LIST 1-866-881-0477

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LOVE: GOD'S PRESERVATIVE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Christ's Image Weekly Message

April 4, 2002

Pastor Francis Frangipane

email: RiverofLifeMailer@InChristsImage.org

Web site: www.InChristsImage.org

There will be a time when each of us will stand before Jesus Christ and He will open a door called "reality-past." There, we shall gaze into the days of our earthly existence.

Jesus will not only commend our lives in a general way, but He will point to specific things we did. Rejoicing together with us, He will say, "Well done!" Perhaps there was a special act of kindness that turned a bitter person back toward God; or you overcame your fears and led a person to Christ whom God then used to win thousands.

--------------------------

WELL DONE! THAT IS, BRAVO!

--------------------------

In the Latin translation of the Bible, the phrase well done is rendered "Bravo!" How would you like Jesus to say that to you? Imagine Him with His arm around your shoulder, saying, "Bravo! You were just an average person, but you trusted Me, you learned to love without fear, and look how many hearts we touched together!" To be so pleasing to Christ that He rejoices over the life we give Him should be our highest goal.

------------------------------

LOVE IN THE MIDST OF PRESSURE

------------------------------

Yet it is here, in a world filled with evils, demon-possessed people and conflicts of all sorts, that we must find the life of Christ. In fact, Jesus warned about the Great Tribulation; one meaning of the word tribulation is "pressure." Even today, is not stress and pressure increasing upon people? In spite of these tensions, God has called us to love extravagantly. If we do not counteract the stress of this age with love, we will crumble beneath the weight of offenses.

Have you ever seen in a supermarket a shopping cart full of bent food cans? Most have lost their labels. You can buy a half dozen for a dollar or two. What happened is that the atmospheric pressure outside the can was greater then the pressure inside, and the can collapsed. It could not withstand the pressure.

-----------------------------------

WE NEED THE PRESSURE OF GOD'S LOVE

-----------------------------------

Similarly, we must have an aggressive force pushing out from inside us that is equal to the pressures trying to crush us from the outside. We need the pressure of God's love pouring out through us, neutralizing the pressures of hatred and bitterness in the world.

Love is God's preservative. It surrounds our souls with a power greater than the power of the devil and the world around us. It keeps us balanced; it insulates us against the hostility that exists in our world. Love is the shelter of the Most High; it is the substance of the Place of Immunity.

Lord, forgive me for looking for some other means of protection besides Your love. Truly, pressures have increased upon my life; stress multiplies daily in our world. Yet, Lord, grant me the eternal equalizer: love. Grant that I would walk in such surrender to You that the power of Your love would unceasingly emanate from my soul. Amen.

Francis Frangipane posts this article as a service of In Christ's Image. Please visit his website at http://www.inchristsimage.org for additional messages and resources.

----------------

The preceding message was adapted from the book, "The Stronghold of God" by Francis Frangipane. This book is not yet on the above site, but You may call and order it from THE ELIJAH LIST at: 1-866-881-0477

Francis has described his book, THE STRONGHOLD OF GOD as being written in response to people's questions on how he and his family are so protected from the enemy.

THE STRONGHOLD OF GOD is a road map into the stronghold of the Most High. The atmosphere of thanksgiving, praise, faith and love are places of IMMUNITY for God's servant. This book is the first part of a series on spiritual protection. (formerly The Place of Immunity)

To order THE STRONGHOLD OF GOD call THE ELIJAH LIST at: 1-866-881-0477

and other books by Francis Frangipane go to: http://theelijahlist.safeshopper.com/278/cat278.htm?862