23 And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [[a]disown himself, [b]forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, [c]refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [[d]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].(Luke 9:23(Amp)
This past Sunday during the sermon a quote was read. This quote has played again and again in my mind. "It is much easier to wear a cross than to bear a cross."~Leonard Ravehill If you look around, you will see a cross displayed on just about everyones neck. It has became more of a fashion statement and less of a representation of our faith. To bear His cross is what we are called to do as His disciples. This is not always easy or comfortable, but it is always necessary.
In order to bear that cross we must deny ourselves. The word in the text that echoes very loudly is daily. We are to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Next in the text the important key to being able to do this is written. That important key is to follow Christ. There is no way we will be able to deny ourselves and pick up our cross on our own. Oh, but there is power in following Him. There is confidence and hope in knowing that the one we are following is able to keep us from falling. 24 Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]—
When I think about the word bear, I think of child birth. I think of bearing a child or bringing forth fruit. Denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and following Christ will bring forth fruit in our lives. The more we give up of ourselves the more we gain our identity in Him. It is very empowering to know that daily we have the oppurtunity to be right where we need to be by making sure our minds, our hearts, and our feet are following Jesus. It is a choice that only we can make. It is a desire of our will.
Living over seas for the past 3 years has taught me to stretch out of my comfort zone. I have been stretched especially when it comes to driving places that I am unfamiliar with. I have learned to rely on my gps to be able to direct me to where I need to go. I am so relieved when I hear the gps talk to me and say recalculating! I get anxious sometimes when it seems like it is taking forever, even though it only takes seconds for it to put me back on the right track. Don't you know we are the same way with God? When we veer off of track and are in a wilderness, we get anxious and it may feel like it is taking forever for God to lead us back in the right direction. I came to remind you today my friend, that God is desiring to place your feet back on the right path. He is longing to see you deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow after Him in every area of your life! Choose today to not just wear a cross but to bear a cross.
I want to end this blog today with touching and agreeing with you. I pray that your desire and your will come together on today and that you will experience the fullness of God's presence. That you will be reminded of how amazing it feels to abide in God's presence! Today, lay aside every weight that so easily draws your attention away from the Master. I pray that on today you will have a mind that is made up. A mind that is steadfast. That on today you will make a choice to stand for righteousness by releasing your need to be in control. Father I thank you for my sister or brother that took the time to read this and that is allowing you to touch them right now. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen! If you do not know Jesus, and you are feeling an amazing stirring on the inside. Won't you make the greatest decision of your life on today and ask Him into your heart as your personal savior?
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Monday, November 26, 2012
Don't allow your situation to dictate your praise!
During the past couple months I have learned many valuable lessons, but the most important one was to rejoice in ALL things! Now this is easy to say when all things are going the way you planned for them to go. But can you rejoice my friend when things are not going the way you prayed and planned for them to go? Can you rejoice when all hell is breaking loose in your life? When all hell is breaking loose in your marriage? When all hell is breaking loose with your children? Can you rejoice when you feel like you are all alone? Can you rejoice my friend when you are broken hearted? I came today to tell you that YES you can! Yes, you can rejoice when you do not feel like rejoicing! Yes, you can rejoice when you look around and feel as if there is nothing to rejoice about! Yes, you can rejoice when you feel as if your back is against the wall and you have no where to go! How are you able to do this you may ask? Let me let you in on an amazing fact your situation does not have to dictate your praise! Let me say that again YOUR SITUATION DOES NOT HAVE TO DICTATE YOUR PRAISE!
The word of God reminds us that in all things we are to rejoice. "Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]."~1Thessalonians5:16-18(AMP) Now if this were something that was going to be easy, God would not have to remind us in His word to rejoice always! In life we are going to face trials that knock the wind out of us. We are going to go through storms that feel as if there will be no end. I want to remind you on today that yes the trials and storms will come but in the midst of them we are to rejoice! Why? Because it is the will of our Father! Why? Because God is still a Faithful God!
We are to rejoice because we are yet still here. We are still able to count our blessings! We are able to open up our mouths, or raise our hands, or stomp our feet as a sign of determination to keep going forth in God. In the word of God we are reminded why it is important to not allow our situation to dictate our praise! "Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!"Phillipians4:4 In this verse we see that when we delight ourselves in Him we are made glad!! The word says gladden yourselves in Him! It is hard to praise God and still feel defeated!! It is hard to glorify God with your actions and still feel like you are less than an over comer. It is hard to read your word and keep your head hanging down. There is strength in your praise! There is victory in your Hallelujah! There is power in standing firm in your faith and declaring I will not allow this situation to dictate my praise! There is power in not allowing your situation to shut your mouth!
Declare today regardless of what you are facing that the God you serve is a Great God! The God you serve can do ALL things but fail! The God you serve has allowed you to be more than an overcomer through His strength and His power! Declare today that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! Declare today that the trial you are facing is going to make you better and not bitter! Declare today that in-spite of what you are facing the God you serve is a great God! Watch how your praise takes your eyes off of your situation and puts them back on God! Don' allow your situation to distract you from praising God for He is good and His mercy endureth forever! Don't allow your situation to dictate your praise!
The word of God reminds us that in all things we are to rejoice. "Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]."~1Thessalonians5:16-18(AMP) Now if this were something that was going to be easy, God would not have to remind us in His word to rejoice always! In life we are going to face trials that knock the wind out of us. We are going to go through storms that feel as if there will be no end. I want to remind you on today that yes the trials and storms will come but in the midst of them we are to rejoice! Why? Because it is the will of our Father! Why? Because God is still a Faithful God!
We are to rejoice because we are yet still here. We are still able to count our blessings! We are able to open up our mouths, or raise our hands, or stomp our feet as a sign of determination to keep going forth in God. In the word of God we are reminded why it is important to not allow our situation to dictate our praise! "Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!"Phillipians4:4 In this verse we see that when we delight ourselves in Him we are made glad!! The word says gladden yourselves in Him! It is hard to praise God and still feel defeated!! It is hard to glorify God with your actions and still feel like you are less than an over comer. It is hard to read your word and keep your head hanging down. There is strength in your praise! There is victory in your Hallelujah! There is power in standing firm in your faith and declaring I will not allow this situation to dictate my praise! There is power in not allowing your situation to shut your mouth!
Declare today regardless of what you are facing that the God you serve is a Great God! The God you serve can do ALL things but fail! The God you serve has allowed you to be more than an overcomer through His strength and His power! Declare today that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! Declare today that the trial you are facing is going to make you better and not bitter! Declare today that in-spite of what you are facing the God you serve is a great God! Watch how your praise takes your eyes off of your situation and puts them back on God! Don' allow your situation to distract you from praising God for He is good and His mercy endureth forever! Don't allow your situation to dictate your praise!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Uncommon Joy!
Ever since I was a little girl my daddy has called me smiley! He calls me smiley because I often have a smile on my face. Many of the times that I am smiling I do not even realize that I am doing so. I have such a joy that springs forth from deep down on the inside of me. It is a uncommon joy. It is a joy that is hard to describe. The joy that I am talking about gives me strength. The joy that I am referencing gives me peace. The joy that I am trying to express to you gives me hope. The joy that I am blogging about today is joy that refreshes and renews. How can you have this joy you may ask?
In order to have the uncommon joy that I am speaking of, you have to know that in spite of what may be going on around you, that you have the power to choose to have joy! See my friend joy is a choice! A choice that each of us has to make daily. I am not talking about a superficial, fake, flowery, conditional joy. I am talking about a joy that sustains you. I am talking about the joy referenced in Nehemiah8:10"Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold." This joy is the joy that I want to strengthen me each and every day of my life.
Have you ever met someone and it just seemed as if they could not find one positive thing to reflect upon? It was almost as if it hurt this person to smile. If you are a person who is filled with joy and you come into a person who is lacking joy, this provides an opportunity to be a witness! This is your opportunity to sow some seeds of uncommon joy. When we give a smile away a day, we sow a seed of joy into someones life. When we offer a word of praise, or a compliment, or a friendly gesture we are sowing seeds of uncommon joy.The next time you encounter someone who is bitter offer a smile, offer a hello, offer a how are you today. In doing so you are opening the door so that joy can walk right on in and be planted in their life.
When I am faced with choices or I have made decisions that could easily cause me to feel everything but joy, it is in that moment that I have to determine just what is important to me. It is important for me to be a representation of the King of King and the Lord of Lords. In being this representative I am allowing those who I come into contact with to know that life can be hard but God is faithful. We must remind ourselves that the joy that you have the world did not give it to you and the world can not and will not take it away! No matter what you are faced with my friend we each have the choice to live each day reaping the benefits of uncommon joy! Choose to grab hold of joy today and never let go!
In order to have the uncommon joy that I am speaking of, you have to know that in spite of what may be going on around you, that you have the power to choose to have joy! See my friend joy is a choice! A choice that each of us has to make daily. I am not talking about a superficial, fake, flowery, conditional joy. I am talking about a joy that sustains you. I am talking about the joy referenced in Nehemiah8:10"Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold." This joy is the joy that I want to strengthen me each and every day of my life.
Have you ever met someone and it just seemed as if they could not find one positive thing to reflect upon? It was almost as if it hurt this person to smile. If you are a person who is filled with joy and you come into a person who is lacking joy, this provides an opportunity to be a witness! This is your opportunity to sow some seeds of uncommon joy. When we give a smile away a day, we sow a seed of joy into someones life. When we offer a word of praise, or a compliment, or a friendly gesture we are sowing seeds of uncommon joy.The next time you encounter someone who is bitter offer a smile, offer a hello, offer a how are you today. In doing so you are opening the door so that joy can walk right on in and be planted in their life.
When I am faced with choices or I have made decisions that could easily cause me to feel everything but joy, it is in that moment that I have to determine just what is important to me. It is important for me to be a representation of the King of King and the Lord of Lords. In being this representative I am allowing those who I come into contact with to know that life can be hard but God is faithful. We must remind ourselves that the joy that you have the world did not give it to you and the world can not and will not take it away! No matter what you are faced with my friend we each have the choice to live each day reaping the benefits of uncommon joy! Choose to grab hold of joy today and never let go!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Do you know?
One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah29:11. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."(King James Version) I have always been comforted in knowing that God's thoughts towards me are thoughts of peace, and not of evil, and that I have an expected end! As I was sitting here reading God's word I was reminded that the key to being confident in God's word is to know that you know that you know that His word is truth! For I know God's thoughts towards me, but what about my thoughts? We each have to ask ourselves what have I been thinking about? What have I been allowing myself to believe to be true? What do I know for sure? We have to understand that the seeds of doubt that we allow to be planted in our lives are powerful. Doubt can cause you to no longer know what the truth is.
I remember being in a dressing room trying on clothes when I was around 12 years old. My mom came in the dressing room and heard me sigh. Now this dressing room was not empty, other ladies were in there trying on clothes. My mom knew exactly where I was because she knew me. She knew just not how I sounded when I spoke, but she knew what I sounded like when I sighed. I was so impressed. I was like Mom, "How did you know I was in this stall?" She replied, "Alicia, you are my child I know you! The same is true with my children. I have been out with my children and one of them has called out for me I knew their voice in the midst of everything going on around me. This makes me think of John10:27"The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me."Just as I know my children's voices I desire to know the voice of the Lord. I desire to be able to not just know His voice, but to follow His voice. I want to follow His voice when I am unsure of where He is leading me. I want to follow His voice when He is leading me down a path I have never been before. I want to follow His voice when I am all alone and unsure of what is yet to come!
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."~Matthew7:13-14 I have read this scripture numerous times but today one particular portion jumped off of the page! The word gate! One of the definitions for gate is: A structure that can be swung, drawn, or lowered to block an entrance or a passageway. A lot of times we just think this walk with God is going to be a bed of ease! We have to understand that there is a narrow gate that leads to life and only a few find it. The reason only a few find it is because many stray off of the narrow path. It is so much easier to travel on a broad road. Be reminded today that the broad road leads to destruction. We put a gate around things that are important. We use gates to keep certain things out and to keep certain things in. The scripture lets us know that both the wide and the narrow roads have gates! Choose today what road you are going to stay on and which gate you are going through!
I opened up with a question, "What do you know?" Do you know God's thoughts towards you? Do you know His voice? Have you heard Him speak lately? Are you following His voice? Do you know what path you are on? Are you on the broad road that leads to destruction or on the narrow road that leads to life? Each of us needs to sit back and evaluate where we are in Him. It is so easy to get complacent. It is easy to just go through the motions. What may not be easy for you is choosing each day of your life to make a conscious decision to stay anchored to the King of Kings! Knowing is something that NO one can take away from you! Know God for yourself!
I remember being in a dressing room trying on clothes when I was around 12 years old. My mom came in the dressing room and heard me sigh. Now this dressing room was not empty, other ladies were in there trying on clothes. My mom knew exactly where I was because she knew me. She knew just not how I sounded when I spoke, but she knew what I sounded like when I sighed. I was so impressed. I was like Mom, "How did you know I was in this stall?" She replied, "Alicia, you are my child I know you! The same is true with my children. I have been out with my children and one of them has called out for me I knew their voice in the midst of everything going on around me. This makes me think of John10:27"The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me."Just as I know my children's voices I desire to know the voice of the Lord. I desire to be able to not just know His voice, but to follow His voice. I want to follow His voice when I am unsure of where He is leading me. I want to follow His voice when He is leading me down a path I have never been before. I want to follow His voice when I am all alone and unsure of what is yet to come!
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."~Matthew7:13-14 I have read this scripture numerous times but today one particular portion jumped off of the page! The word gate! One of the definitions for gate is: A structure that can be swung, drawn, or lowered to block an entrance or a passageway. A lot of times we just think this walk with God is going to be a bed of ease! We have to understand that there is a narrow gate that leads to life and only a few find it. The reason only a few find it is because many stray off of the narrow path. It is so much easier to travel on a broad road. Be reminded today that the broad road leads to destruction. We put a gate around things that are important. We use gates to keep certain things out and to keep certain things in. The scripture lets us know that both the wide and the narrow roads have gates! Choose today what road you are going to stay on and which gate you are going through!
I opened up with a question, "What do you know?" Do you know God's thoughts towards you? Do you know His voice? Have you heard Him speak lately? Are you following His voice? Do you know what path you are on? Are you on the broad road that leads to destruction or on the narrow road that leads to life? Each of us needs to sit back and evaluate where we are in Him. It is so easy to get complacent. It is easy to just go through the motions. What may not be easy for you is choosing each day of your life to make a conscious decision to stay anchored to the King of Kings! Knowing is something that NO one can take away from you! Know God for yourself!
Friday, May 4, 2012
There is NO Comparison!!
"17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."~2Corinthians4:17-18(NLT)
"16-18So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."~2Corinthians4:16-18
Oh, how awesome the above scriptures are. What an awesome reminder. A reminder to not be consumed with what is happening around us. A reminder that our present troubles are small and won't last very long! Oh, but the glory that shall be produced in us far outweighs the troubles and will last not for a moment but forever! I love the message version of these scriptures. The message version lets us know that these hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times! Oh, it does not stop there. It goes on to let us know that there will be a lavish celebration prepared for us! Do not allow yourself to get wrapped up in the now. The things we see are temporary. Isn't awesome that we serve an eternal God? Get your eyes off of your situation and fix them back on the King of Kings.
I know that it can be easy to be in the midst of a trial and allow yourself to get consumed by the thought of defeat. I also know that it is very hard to be victorious if you have already been defeated in your heart and mind! Proverbs23:7 reminds us of this very truth. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." We have to keep our eyes to the front, our head held high and go forth. Be careful of what you allow yourself to think about. Your thoughts will become your actions! If you think you are defeated, you might as well go ahead and ring the bell! You might as well go ahead and waive your white flag! You can go ahead and throw in your towel! But if you have made up your mind that the devil is already defeated, you will be able to have just what you think.. victory!
There comes a time where we are going to have to press forward. "I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward."~Philippians3:13-14(AMP) The word of God does not say press forward and keep your eyes focused on the trial going on around you! The word emphasizes the importance of forgetting the past and what lies behind us and straining forward to what lies ahead. The word strain is used not by coincidence, but it is used to let us know that it is going to be uncomfortable at times. It may even hurt. Oh, but the future glory is far greater than your current trial!
The next time you want to throw a pity party remind yourself that whatever is going on is temporary! Remind yourself that the God you serve is a triumphant God! You serve a sovereign God! You serve a God that will never leave you nor forsake you! I will leave you with one of my favorite scriptures. If you are in a season of weeping be reminded that "Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping,Bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."~Psalm126:5-6(NKJV)
"16-18So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."~2Corinthians4:16-18
Oh, how awesome the above scriptures are. What an awesome reminder. A reminder to not be consumed with what is happening around us. A reminder that our present troubles are small and won't last very long! Oh, but the glory that shall be produced in us far outweighs the troubles and will last not for a moment but forever! I love the message version of these scriptures. The message version lets us know that these hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times! Oh, it does not stop there. It goes on to let us know that there will be a lavish celebration prepared for us! Do not allow yourself to get wrapped up in the now. The things we see are temporary. Isn't awesome that we serve an eternal God? Get your eyes off of your situation and fix them back on the King of Kings.
I know that it can be easy to be in the midst of a trial and allow yourself to get consumed by the thought of defeat. I also know that it is very hard to be victorious if you have already been defeated in your heart and mind! Proverbs23:7 reminds us of this very truth. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." We have to keep our eyes to the front, our head held high and go forth. Be careful of what you allow yourself to think about. Your thoughts will become your actions! If you think you are defeated, you might as well go ahead and ring the bell! You might as well go ahead and waive your white flag! You can go ahead and throw in your towel! But if you have made up your mind that the devil is already defeated, you will be able to have just what you think.. victory!
There comes a time where we are going to have to press forward. "I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward."~Philippians3:13-14(AMP) The word of God does not say press forward and keep your eyes focused on the trial going on around you! The word emphasizes the importance of forgetting the past and what lies behind us and straining forward to what lies ahead. The word strain is used not by coincidence, but it is used to let us know that it is going to be uncomfortable at times. It may even hurt. Oh, but the future glory is far greater than your current trial!
The next time you want to throw a pity party remind yourself that whatever is going on is temporary! Remind yourself that the God you serve is a triumphant God! You serve a sovereign God! You serve a God that will never leave you nor forsake you! I will leave you with one of my favorite scriptures. If you are in a season of weeping be reminded that "Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping,Bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."~Psalm126:5-6(NKJV)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Breakthrough!!
One word has been ringing in my spirit lately! The word is breakthrough. Just the thought of breakthrough gets me excited. Just the mention of breakthrough makes me want to shout with a triumphant voice. The scripture that is brought back to my rememberence is Ephesians3:20(AMP) "Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]-- Oh, He is able to go above and beyond each and every one of our prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes and dreams. The key is it is according to His power that is at work within us! So today I encourage you to let the word of God do the work! Stop putting God in a box. He desires to open doors you never imagined could be opened. He desires to close some doors that you thought were always going to be open! God desires for you to have your breakthrough. Do you want it?
One of the biggest tricks of the enemy is to cause you to think that you will not make it out of this storm. You will start to believe that you will not make it out of this trial. The enemy desires for you to waive the white flag of surrender. The enemy desires for you to shut your mouth and die. He wants you to die spiritually. But you have to make up in your mind that you will not die! You must declare over yourself Psalm118:17(KJV)"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." Don't just speak what you heard but speak what you know to be true. Speak the word of God over your life! Declare that it is time for your breakthrough! It is time for you to walk in what God desires for you to walk in! It is time to rise up and run with the vision!
No matter how bad it looks, know that God is yet in control! Even when all of the odds are stacked against you declare Romans8:31(NIV)"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" You do not need an army you just need God on your side! Oh, if God is for us who can be against us? Who I said? Don't look at your current situation and allow the fear of things remaining the way they are paralyze you. Remind yourself of Joseph and the words he spoke. Genesis50:19-20(MSG)"Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people." What the enemy meant for evil the mighty God you serve, is about to turn around for not only your good but to save many people! BREAKTHROUGH not just for you but for many people!
Again I ask you do you want a breakthrough? A breakthrough spiritually? A breakthrough financially? A breakthrough in your marriage? A breakthrough for salvation for your family members? A breakthrough for your neighborhood? Get before God and seek Him like never before! Do not leave His presence the same way you were when you entered! Make up in your mind that it is time to receive your breakthrough! The only thing standing in the way my friend is you! Get out of the way and let God have His way in your life! It is time for a breakthrough! Your breakthrough!
One of the biggest tricks of the enemy is to cause you to think that you will not make it out of this storm. You will start to believe that you will not make it out of this trial. The enemy desires for you to waive the white flag of surrender. The enemy desires for you to shut your mouth and die. He wants you to die spiritually. But you have to make up in your mind that you will not die! You must declare over yourself Psalm118:17(KJV)"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." Don't just speak what you heard but speak what you know to be true. Speak the word of God over your life! Declare that it is time for your breakthrough! It is time for you to walk in what God desires for you to walk in! It is time to rise up and run with the vision!
No matter how bad it looks, know that God is yet in control! Even when all of the odds are stacked against you declare Romans8:31(NIV)"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" You do not need an army you just need God on your side! Oh, if God is for us who can be against us? Who I said? Don't look at your current situation and allow the fear of things remaining the way they are paralyze you. Remind yourself of Joseph and the words he spoke. Genesis50:19-20(MSG)"Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people." What the enemy meant for evil the mighty God you serve, is about to turn around for not only your good but to save many people! BREAKTHROUGH not just for you but for many people!
Again I ask you do you want a breakthrough? A breakthrough spiritually? A breakthrough financially? A breakthrough in your marriage? A breakthrough for salvation for your family members? A breakthrough for your neighborhood? Get before God and seek Him like never before! Do not leave His presence the same way you were when you entered! Make up in your mind that it is time to receive your breakthrough! The only thing standing in the way my friend is you! Get out of the way and let God have His way in your life! It is time for a breakthrough! Your breakthrough!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Be still!!
"Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!"~Psalm46:10(Amp)
Psalm 46:10 is a verse that we each should stand on. I love the amplified version because it shines even more light on the importance of not just knowing but recognizing and understanding that God is God! To know something is one thing but to recognize it goes a step deeper. I can know who my neighbor is but if I am able to recognize her out of a crowd then I have more of a relationship with her. I can know what 4 plus 4 is but actually understanding how I got the answer is even more beneficial than just knowing the answer. The same is true with us not just knowing that God is God all by Himself! When we recognize His sovereign hand at work in our lives and understand that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts we can be confident that all is well! We can let be and be still! "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord."~Isaiah55:8(Amp)
It is so much easier to do any and every thing but be still. Have you ever noticed just how hard it is to just do nothing? It seems like it would be easy, but it is far from easy. If we have loved ones who are headed down a dangerous road our first thought is not to let be and be still. Our first thought is to help them back to safety. In order to be still, we have to take on the mind of Christ. In doing so we are renewed in our thinking. "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]."~Romans12:2(Amp)
The last part of Psalm 46:10 gets me excited to know that the God we serve will be exalted! He will be exalted not just among the nation but God will be exalted in the earth! Praise the Lord! My friend when storms rise and test come be reminded that God is yet in control! Be reminded that it is the Lord our God who fights our battles! "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest."~Exodus14:14(Amp) Be reminded that you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus! Be reminded that God has the final say! It is not enough to know the word we have to live by the word! No longer can we just quote scripture! It is time to become the very scripture that we can recite! When you know that the God that you serve can do all things but fail you can comfortably be still and know that He is God!
Psalm 46:10 is a verse that we each should stand on. I love the amplified version because it shines even more light on the importance of not just knowing but recognizing and understanding that God is God! To know something is one thing but to recognize it goes a step deeper. I can know who my neighbor is but if I am able to recognize her out of a crowd then I have more of a relationship with her. I can know what 4 plus 4 is but actually understanding how I got the answer is even more beneficial than just knowing the answer. The same is true with us not just knowing that God is God all by Himself! When we recognize His sovereign hand at work in our lives and understand that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts we can be confident that all is well! We can let be and be still! "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord."~Isaiah55:8(Amp)
It is so much easier to do any and every thing but be still. Have you ever noticed just how hard it is to just do nothing? It seems like it would be easy, but it is far from easy. If we have loved ones who are headed down a dangerous road our first thought is not to let be and be still. Our first thought is to help them back to safety. In order to be still, we have to take on the mind of Christ. In doing so we are renewed in our thinking. "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]."~Romans12:2(Amp)
The last part of Psalm 46:10 gets me excited to know that the God we serve will be exalted! He will be exalted not just among the nation but God will be exalted in the earth! Praise the Lord! My friend when storms rise and test come be reminded that God is yet in control! Be reminded that it is the Lord our God who fights our battles! "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest."~Exodus14:14(Amp) Be reminded that you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus! Be reminded that God has the final say! It is not enough to know the word we have to live by the word! No longer can we just quote scripture! It is time to become the very scripture that we can recite! When you know that the God that you serve can do all things but fail you can comfortably be still and know that He is God!
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