Sometimes life can seem overwhelming.

There are times when we just want close out the world be alone.

When it is time to step away, we must go to a place of safety.

It is awesome to know that we can run to God and be safe. We can find protection from the storms of life. We can be recharged, refilled, and renewed to resume the battle.

The thing that we don’t understand is that we can live a life IN the name of the Lord! We know that the name of the Lord is Jesus. And Acts 17:28, tell us that IN him do we live, move, and have our being.

If we walk according to this scripture we should also walk in peace and safety because we already in him. Ephesians tells us to put on the whole armor of God. A part of the armor is specialized footwear – our feet are shod with the gospel of peace. Everywhere we go, we walk in peace.

The enemy is busy throwing things at us left and right, that we often forget who we are. This lapse in memory causes us to feel anxiety and to be overwhelmed.

It was essential for the children of Israel to take stone out of the Red Sea after God brought them forth on dry ground. Remember the story of Moses. The stones were to build a memorial to the miracle that God did for them. We need something to jog our memory.

So after spending time in the battle and dealing the time and chance of life, it can become easy to forget. But if we have the memorial, when we look at it we also remember.

A safe place is remembering…

– just how the Lord brought you out.

– just how “impossible” the situation seemed

– just how people gave up on you and walked away.

– just how the Lord spoke to you, that it would be okay.

– the joy in your heart when he did the impossible

If the did it them, he can certainly do it now.

All it takes is a memory. As the old folks used to say, when I think about the goodness of Jesus and all he has done for me…your soul will cry out too!

Are you feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed or burdened? What have you forgotten?

Take the time to stroll down memory lane. Remember all the great things God has done in your life, and be encouraged.

We serve a God who does not change. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). If he was good then, he is good now. If he was a provider then, he is a provider now. If he was a healer then, he is a healer now.

A safe place … call on his name. Remember what he has already done. Thank him for the miracle you need right now, and trust him to bring it to pass.

Then rest in his strong name and stand it peace. This is the safe place!

Have a blessed night!

The sun is shining and no clouds in the sky.

We have come through challenge after challenge. Some great soldiers fell along the way.

But through it all God has not left us. He has been there providing shelter, and protection seen and unseen.

So even though things may not be perfect, I can still rest safely in his arms.

I make a conscious choice to rejoice in the God of my salvation and trust to him. I choose to remember what he has done – to strengthen my faith to believe him for the things that I need.

What a mighty God we serve!

So make it a great Saturday. Go out and enjoy what God has made, what God has freely give us. Be wise. Act responsibly. Move with intention. Occupy until he comes.

Remind yourself continually that God has your back and has never let you down.

What is your Saturday attitude?

James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

By definition, is a passionate desire for something. A sensual appetite regarded as sinful.

There is a saying, “sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more then you want to pay.” This is a true saying.

It is time to resist!

What you are fighting with is a distraction that is tailored to you specifically. It is a time waster. As long as the enemy can keep your attention and focus on the thing you list after, you are incapable of effectively doing what God has called you.

Picture a hamster running on a wheel, going nowhere. He is busy, spending a lot of energy and time, but accomplishing nothing.

The enemy seems to come at you with your own specific list at a crucial time. A time when you are on the cusp of moving deeper into God. Reaching a level where you have never been before in Him.

It’s time to resist!

God is awesome! He gives you the answers to the test even before you take it. We just have to recognize that you are in a test (or fight), the use the keys to escape. God promised to always provide a way to escape!

The answer is simple – Resist.

To resist is withstand the action or effect of.

We can always identify when we are faced with the opportunity to give into to that desire or lust to do our “special” thing. Remember it is tailored to you. Is is wrapped in a pretty bow that you find attractive. But you must resist!

We must weigh a temporary pleasure against the gratification of knowing you don’t have to fall or given. Weigh the guilt or shame against the joy of knowing you were obedient to the call and anointing on your life. Knowing that you made the choice and pleased God. Weigh the impact you had on the lives of others because you remained where God needed you. Rather than taking a detour in selfishness that occupied your time, kept you busy, distracted to the point where God was on the back burner.

Time is winding up. We must work while it is day. We cannot afford detours and unnecessary distractions that do not profit us or edify the body of Christ. Romans 8 tells us that people are waiting for us to take our place. They need us to operate within the gifting and anointing God has deposited in us. They are depending on our light to shine in their darkness. Illuminating the Christ. Letting them know if God can deliver us, he can deliver them too.

So resist! Do not give in! Fight the good fight of faith. You are needed. You are very necessary to someone else’s survival. God called you to be a light. Let it shine bright to draw people. But we can only do this when we are in our proper place.

If you find yourself in a struggle with lust. Take a deep breath and shake yourself. Simply resist. Don’t give in, say “no more.”Avoid people, places, and things that are attached to object(s) of your lust. Sometimes a good run is better than a bad stand. Run away from it than to weakly stand by it. Because you will give in. Separate yourself until you are stronger. Ask God to deliver you completely. As you resist, the devil will flee from you. Why? Because in your resistance, you begin to submit yourself to God. At this point, the only thing the enemy can do is flee. Because now you have the host of heaven behind you, protecting you. Who or what can stand up against that?

It’s time to RESIST!

Have a blessed day!

Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Mark 11:23, “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

By definition, to speak is to say something in order to convey information, an opinion, or a feeling. To have a conversation. To utter.

Speak life…

Your verbal communication is precious and extremely powerful. The Bible says the mouth speaks what is in the heart (Luke 6:45). The very world we exist in is created by God’s word. Genesis tells us that God said “let there be..” and it was then, still is today. The word that God spoke in the beginning is still working now and will continue to do so until he causes them to cease. John 6:63, tells us that God’s words are spirit and LIFE!

Our words are important! We can choose to speak life or we can choose to speak death. Negativity is easy. The world is full of it. What is challenging, is be positive in the face a of what seems like a negative situation.

The Bible tells us that all things work together for our good (Romans 8). In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18). To be clear we are not thankful for the bad things that happen. But in the midst of these things, we can always give thanks to God. For he is always worthy of our praise, and he is always good!

Speak life…

It’s all about perspective. What is the point in dwelling and wallowing in the negative things happening? It leads to depression, sadness and poor health. In contrast, choosing to be positive and see good lifts the spirit and bring joy to the soul. More importantly, the light of this perspective is contagious. It spills onto those around us. Just as negativity is a cancerous spirit, that will infect those around it. Positivity will uplift and encourage those around it.

Once you have chosen positivity, you must carefully speak your world into existence. Just as God said “let there be” we must also speak (create) or shape our individual world too.

Just because we see and recognize negative things occurring around us, we don’t need to speak or validate them. What we can do is bind it in the name of Jesus, curse it at its root, and cast it out in Jesus’ name. Then we loose what we desire in it’s place. And we speak only that positive thing through faith. For example, for sickness or disease, we would bind the spirit of infirmity which is trying to attack the body, and loose God’s healing virtue in its place. And moving forward we only speak healing.

We serve a God who watches over his word to perform it. When God sees us standing on his word by faith. He will perform that word on our behalf. He is faithful and cannot deny his word!

Speak life…

God is waiting to move, but he can only go as far as our faith will allow him to go in our lives. God is not moved by your emotions, but he is moved by your faith. When he sees your great faith he moves to perform what that faith requires.

So if you speak little, he can only do little. If you speak big, you give God room to do big. But it must be by faith, and not just words. What touches God – the faith that gives power to your words. God knows the difference between true faith and lip service.

Just like you know the difference, when you speak, if your words are covering your doubt (because some of us know how to talk a good game). And when you are speaking from a foundation real faith. Yes, there are those times when we have to “fake it until we make it.” But the purpose of that exercise is to strengthen your faith. Because at some point you are to mature to a place of faith. Where you are no longer faking it. Your faith is real.

Speak life…

Practice makes perfect. Keep working at it, you will get there. Your faith will increase and God will move.

Have a blessed day.

Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

God has invested much into his people. As his called, we burn with the desire to exercise the gift, talent, calling (anointing) that is God-given. God is so invested in our progress that he told us that our gift will make room for us. Proverbs 18:16, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.”

The problem is many will choose to hide that Godly investment, by burying it. Refusing to use it. Or be so intimidated by the magnitude of the investment that they run from it. Doing all manner of ungodly things instead.

Or if they are willing to us the gift, but on their own terms. They seek to direct God, placing parameters or limits on the usage of the investment. They obviously forget the story of Jonah. God has a way of bringing us around to his way of thinking.

Surrender to God.

A surrendered life is much easier to live, than a life that self-centered.

It’s time to remove the limits off of God in our eyes.

We must know that he IS able to do exceeding abundantly all we can ask or think. So don’t be afraid to ask for the moon or reach for the stars in faith.

Stretch your faith.

Why? Because whatever you can imagine God is able to even exceed that. He can! You just have to believe it and stand on it by faith.

You must speak that thing out of your mouth daily. Remove yourself from people who are not willing to support your vision. It is YOUR vision, not theirs. They are not required to feel it or even believe, only you are. It is a solo mission. Yes, people will help you on your journey. Most of the time, it is because God caused them to do it, not because they have fell in line with your vision.

Think big!

Believe big!

Speak big!

Give big!

And finally, receive big!

Stretch your faith.

By doing this you will sew seeds into the lives of people who come into your presence. God will make sure these seeds are watered so that he can give increase to them. God watches over his word to perform them. Do your part and God will do his. He remains faithful – always.

Have a blessed day

Psalms 100:3, “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

Romans 9:21, “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”

…Let Him Be God!

It time to take God out of the small box we have confined him to in our hearts and minds.

If God be great, the we must let him be great. We must walk in extraordinary faith. Believe him for greater and walk in expectation because we ask according to his will.

To be great is of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above the normal or average. Excellent, very well.

We are entering a time where our faith in God will be our light. We live in a dark world, but we serve the great God. We serve the only wise and true God. Beside him there is none other.

The Bible says we are in this world, but not of this world (John 8:23, John 17:16). When we received the Holy Ghost, we take on His spiritual nature. We come into holiness. In him do we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We are to live by faith!

Throughout our walk with Christ, he has spent time pouring his word in us, building up our faith. We are told to study the word, to hide the word in our hearts. We are told that when the Holy Ghost comes he will bring all things back to our remembrance (John 14:26). This is what the Bible says to provide us comfort, and encouragement. We must grow from babes to maturity in Christ.

Why? Because this is a suffering way. Because we have put on Christ, we also take fellowship in his suffering. Our faith will be tried. Our spiritual integrity will be tried. We will be tempted.

The purpose is so that we know for a surety that God is real, God is true, and he is faithful. We must know that what he said, he will bring it to pass. God wants to be more than an abstract idea that we have embraced. He must be real, tangible in our hearts and minds. The trying of our faith brings experience. This experience is knowing God in a real way.

God is faithful. He does not put more on us than we can bear. He does not tempt us with sin. Peter tells us we are tempted when we are drawn away with our own lusts, and enticed. But God is faithful because when temptation comes, God also provides a way of escape. When we are tempted we must train ourselves to look for the escape. It is there, we just have to choose to take it.

…Let Him be God!

We know a lot. So much of the time the stuff we know is just like lyrics to a song. Whenever the song is on the radio or someone else starts a song we can sing along because we know the song too. But what is lacking is the experience that makes the lyrics real to us. The lyrics of a song about heartbreak has a greater impact or meaning to the person who has experienced heartbreak themselves and survived.

We know the words that are in the Bible but we don’t know the spirit of the words. Why? Because we have not been tried by those words. We must exercises our faith and let God be God to us and in us.

We are living in a time where our faith is our shield. Yes, we need the whole armor of God. But it is the shield of faith that can quench all the fiery darts or arrows that the devil will shoot our way. The shield of faith protects us and the word of God is the weapon we just to strike blows of our own. The shield and sword work together, arm and arm.

To be effective in this current battle, we must let God be the great God he is. If he said it, we must trust him to be it or do it. We can no longer afford to minimize him and keep him in a box. If we do so, it is to our own detriment. If he spoke it to you that is because he desires and intends to bring it to pass. We must step aside and let him be God by allowing him to do his Godly things.

…Let Him be God.

Exercise your faith and catch up to what God is doing!

Have a blessed day.

Mark 5:2-7, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?”

It is amazing how people come from all around just to spectate, rather than to support. Secretly, they pick apart the wondrous work that God is doing before their eyes.

Rather the see or recognize God at work, they choose to wallow in their self-centered and selfishness. They see the person and not the God inside of the person. We also call this a carnal mind. It is not subject to the laws of Christ, and neither indeed can it comprehend his works (Romans 8:7).

It makes no sense trying to reason with a carnal minded person. Unless God work on their heart and reveal himself to them, they will never see in the spirit. So don’t allow their view of you matter to the point where you think about stopping what God has called you to. Pray for them and keep it moving.

We can take comfort in the fact that if they did it in Jesus’ day, they are certainly going to do it now. He overcame and so can we though his power that rests and abides in us.

Some people will never see you beyond your history. They will always judge you accordingly. But you must take Jesus’ example. Walk in discernment, know those who labor among you, so you are not caught unawares. But don’t allow them to thwart the plan and move of God.

There will always be haters around you. But The light of God will always illuminate so you know who they are.

***PSA announcement – sometimes, they are the very people who you hold close or in high esteem. Jealously and envy is known to strike in the places you fail to expect. We must always walk in discernment!

The work of God must go on, without fail. There is never any excuse that is good enough to explain why you stopped doing God’s work. We serve a God who endured Calvary’s cross. A God who kept his promises, who has never left or forsaken us. What excuse could you possibly offer?

Repent and keep it moving. There are always haters, but God has made us to always triumph. So it does not even matter who is around you. We are designed to walk through the valley of the shadow of death – without fear, for God is with us.

Stay encouraged and have a blessed day!

Resurrection Sunday

Matthew 28:5-6, “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Today we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Many thoughts go through my mind when talking about this. But today, I am just grateful for his life, his sacrifice, and thankful for his rising again with all power in his hand!

Because he did, I am able to overcome too!

There is strength in knowing that his word is there for me to stand upon by faith. And to know that he has prayed for me that my faith fail not. And to know that he has given me power – through the Holy Ghost – to live victoriously, always!

Most importantly, I understand that there is more to life than this earthly body/life. For if I endure to the end I shall see him again, just as he is.

Heaven is my goal. Because he arose, so can I.

So today, have a blessed Resurrection Sunday. Spend some time thinking on what this day truly commemorates, and enjoy it with a spirit of praise and thanksgiving.

Love to you all – Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Elijah and Elisha

2 kings 2:9-10, “9. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.”

You have to understand that God is all about giving to and blessing his children.

The Bible tells us that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. The Bible also tells us that if we seek him first, and his righteousness, he would give us the desires of our heart.

And his blessings to us are so great that they do not just benefit us. When he gives to us, our cups overflow on to those around us. What an amazing God we serve! We are to be so blessed that as we go about doing the will of God, those who we serve and those who serve with us can recognize the blessings or anointing

Because Elisha was a faithful servant to the prophet of God, Elijah wanted to bless him before the Lord took him away. At this moment Elisha could have asked for anything and would have received it because of his honorable service.

When you can have anything you want, the anointing is all you need!

But Elisha recognized the truth, that temporal things (wealth, possessions, etc.) would pass away. But the anointing is Godly, and will reach anyone and can set free the world. Elisha saw how greatly God used Elijah, and knew someone would need to continue his work. That it requires a relationship with God, the ability to hear from and speak to God in faith. So Elisha boldly made his request.

Elijah acknowledge that it was a hard thing that Elisha asked. He knew first hand all he had to go through on any given day to remain faithful and steadfast in the midst of an evil generation. Yet he told Elisha he needed to see him taken away to receive.

This was not so much a test of Elisha’s will, but a warning, a clue to what would be needed to walk in this level of ministry.

Elisha needed to stay vigilant and focused on Elijah so he did not miss out on what he desired. He needed to witness the miracle of God’s power. It was to strengthen his heart and spirit. Elisha needed to understand that God is able to and can do anything. To see the miracle was to add fuel to his determination to carry on with the work of God.

Isaiah 10:27, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”

The anointing has to power to break every yoke of the enemy!

A yoke is a frame fitting over the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying pails or baskets. A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull.

A yoke is designed to allow the person, or thing (or spirit) who is in control to guide, steer or direct.

As people. We struggle under many different yokes. Some we are aware of while other yokes we don’t even realize are at work in our lives. It is the anointing that breaks every yoke and allows us to walk in the freedom we were given when we received salvation.

Some of us have become so used to living under the yoke of bondage that we don’t know what it is to be free. But when the anointing comes it illuminates the way.

Matthew 11:28-30, “28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The anointing helps us to walk with God and to be lead by him. The yoke God uses is light and free. It allows God to lead and guide us, to direct our path. His yoke is so easy and light that he refuses to force us to do anything. He is all about choices. He sets the way before us and allows us to make the choice. That’s love!

When you can have anything you want, the anointing is all you need!

Have a blessed day!!

“Hebrews 10:35-39

35.Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

36. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

37. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;

38. but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

39. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

You have come too far to give up. I know it has been a tough year or so for the world at large. But more specifically, we as individuals and families have had to face things we thought we never would.

But keep in mind, if you are reading this you are still here. You have made it this far because God remains faithful! Because of his faithfulness, you are poised to continue on and conquer.

Don’t cast away or waiver in your confidence now. The same God that has brought you this far, is the same God the will keep you through the end.

Here are some helpful hints to help you endure:

1. That some time to rest in praise. Recharge you spiritual battery. Store up your strength supply (for the joy of the Lord is our strength – Nehemiah 8:10).

2. Transition from praise to worship. Make God big (magnified, exalted) in the middle of your tough times. It takes the focus off you and puts it on God.

3. Increase your faith by hearing the word of God. Hear with your spirit – select a scripture meditate upon it. Speak it and stand on it by faith.

4. End you day with thanksgiving. Thank God for both the ups and downs of your day. You glory in the ups and learn from the downs – bringing honor to God.

Wake up and repeat each day.

Don’t focus is what tomorrow will bring. Just deal with your today, your right now. Trust God to handle your tomorrow.

You are built to ENDURE! You were not created to fail and fall. No you are not perfect and you will make mistakes. But you were created to get back up and try again. Practice does make perfect.

When you get back up enough you also learn to recognize the pit falls that previously caused you to stumble. You begin to look around to find a way to escape the fall (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is also known as spiritual maturity.

So hold on, don’t give up or give in. Your redemption draws nigh. Hold your head up and look to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith.

Have a blessed day!