But it takes a new perspective!

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart,  and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”

NIV translate vs 6 as: “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Hey OTP family! They say if you do what you have always done, you will get what you always gotten. So it makes sense that if you want something different, something  better, something greater, then you will have to do something different. Change is possible. However, to get there, you must change the way you operate. This includes a new perspective, and taking different actions.

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same things but expecting a different outcome. With this in mind, let’s step away from the crazy and take steps toward the change we so desperately need. 

If you are anything like me, you enjoy being in control. Making your own decisions and managing the outcome as best as you can. The problem with this, is our decisions are based on faulty knowledge and experiences. We have a very limited view of our situation, so our solutions to problems only address the portion we can see. There is a certain amount of interpretation of perceived facts that lead to an educated guess. But this is also faulty system because. Our perception is not always based in reality.

However, we serve an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God.  He is all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere at the same time. There is nothing hid from him. He is our source. And we should allow him to be our navigator.

He is also faithful. God provides the answer to our current dilemma in Proverbs 3:5-6. We are our own worse enemy when it comes to figuring out what comes next. Why? Because we have reasonable intelligence and access to resources that gives us a false sense of our own ability to get things done. We tend to think we don’t need to depend on God to help us work things out. This is the opposite of faith. 

Faith requires us to forsake everything, and totally depend on and trust in God for everything. This includes relinquishing our decision-making capabilities. Total transparency moment – yes, you will still make decisions. However, now your decisions should be God directed. Yes, God will guide you, but ultimately, you still need to choose to follow the directions he provides.

How does Proverbs 3:5-6 work in real time?

-We must first totally submit ourselves to God.

-Then we must give the situation to God.

-Next, we ask God to direct our path. To show us the way we should go.

-Finally, we listen for the answer. This requires us to develop our spiritual ear to hear what God is saying to us.

We must learn to patiently wait on God. This is not a passive state of waiting. We will continue to do what God has called us to. We will continue to work in ministry. What is key here – to understand we are not desperate! There is always time to wait on the answer from God, and not allow the enemy to trick us into making moves that God has not ordained for us. We will wait on God in praise and worship. This is where we learn to hear God!

Once we have that witness from God in our spirit we know that the path has been made straight. We now have the direction we need. Often times, this is scary because it may seem counterintuitive to what we think is the plan of God for us. But stretch out in faith and make the move that God is propelling you toward. If you follow as he leads, you will have good success. Remember the first part of our scripture text – “Lean not to your own understanding.” You have to trust God and follow as he leads.

I am not saying that this process is easy. It will take daily dedication and practice. But if you remain faithful to the process. Be mindful of the commitment you made to change your MO (method of operation), you will experience the power of Proverbs 3:5-6 in your life.

This is how change is possible. Because it does require us to view things from a new lens. This new lens brings a new perspective and a new way of doing things.

Personal testimony – I have been applying this to my own life and must admit I have less anxiety because of my new perspective. I am very much a work in progress but I have to say that I am enjoying the journey. I can testify that Matthew 11:28-30 is true. 

Have a blessed day,

Acts 28:16. “And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.”

Acts 28:30, “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,”

Hey OTP family!! I am excited today because God is so amazing that even when the world see us as being in bonds (bound/in jail/oppressed, etc…) that God still declares us free! We may be in these circumstances indeed, but in our spirit, heart, and mind we are free! We can rejoice and live our lives, giving glory to God as if we are not in those circumstances.  This is the blessing of serving God with our whole hearts.

For Paul, in the scripture text, had just gotten off a ship that barely survived a storm. But all survived on broken pieces and boards and made it safely to land. Eventually they were able to finish their journey and make it to Rome. When they did finally get to Rome, Paul still remained bound to the duty or purpose that God called him to. He was still going to appear before Cesar to testify of God. However, his court date was going to take some time. It was not an immediate arraignment. He had to serve many years before he was given the opportunity to stand before Cesar.

However, God, in his infinite wisdom, allowed Paul to find favor with centurion that his experience was house arrest, rather than a jail cell. What a mighty God we serve that even in custody we find favor with those who philosophically oppose us. 

Eventually, Paul moved out of the centurion’s home and was able to hire his own house. It was in this situation that he found himself still able to send letters, and to minister the word of God to those who would come and see him. 

Paul wrote many of the New Testament books. Of these many were written while he was in custody awaiting his appeal onto Cesar. However., the fact that he was in custody didn’t stop him from doing God‘s will. Paul was yet able to speak peace while in custody.

Think about your own situation. What are some of the situations where we recognize them to be tools of the enemy. Situations where he has tried to bind us and keep us down and discouraged us from doing the wheel of God? 

We have to recognize that there are times in our lives when the weapons form. We must stand fast in the knowledge that God promises us they will never prosper. With this fact in mind – during those times where we know we are standing in the path of the weapon – we can press forward, knowing that we will be triumphant. 

Just as Paul looked around and saw his circumstances, but refused to allow them to keep him from accomplishing God‘s will, and purpose, we must have that same mindset.

We must be able to speak peace while in custody!  

What does that mean? That means your physical circumstances should not control your state of mind.. For example the person who may be experiencing pain in their body, should not focus solely on the pain that it keeps them from functioning in life. We pushed through the pain daily.. We understand that people are depending upon us and we can’t allow the pain to keep us from doing our necessary work. In the midst of the pain we go to work we shop we cook. We tend to the necessities of our lives. 

We may be in the custody of pain, but yet we speak peace. We do what we must because the love of God constraints us or compels us to do so..

Isn’t it amazing that some people on the outside of our lives looking in would identify us as being in some type of custody, but we do not? Why? Because we can stand in the midst of it and rejoice, serving God and speaking peace. What a mighty God we serve. 

It is a state of mind. What some people see as a limitation, we see as an opportunity to give glory to God. “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”(Philippians. 4:12-13).

So today, OTP family, I encourage you – no matter what you’re going through you can stand in the middle of it and still speak peace. This thing is not the end of you. For God‘s plan for your life will be fully accomplished. I’m gonna say that again. – God‘s plan for your life will be fully accomplished! We stand on God‘s promise to us recorded in Jeremiah 29:11. 

Speak peace in the midst of custody and have a blessed day!

Acts 16:6-7, “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.”

Hey OTP Family! I don’t know about you, but I have always wondered about ‘real time’ navigation when it comes to the Holy Spirit. I mean we live our lives from moment to moment and at any given time the enemy desires to set traps and pitfalls to snare us as we walk with God. I am amazed and grateful to see God operating in ‘real time’ with his people. This scripture shows us know that God desires to be our navigator in this walk – if we will let him. 

By definition, navigator is a person who directs the route or course of as ship, aircraft, or other form of transportation, especially by using instruments and maps. 

God desires to be this for us – the navigator. And the amazing part is that he does not need to use any external devices to get the job done. He is all knowing, all seeing, and he is everywhere at the same time. He already knows and desires to share the information that we can handle. All he needs are people with an ear to hear what the spirit is saying to us. For he is always speaking – he is our daily bread, but we are not always listening.

Looking at our scripture text – in verse 6 God had told them not to preach the word in Asia. But on their journey, they wanted to go to Bithynia, which is a region in Asia minor. God had to constrain them again, not to preach the word there. It wasn’t that God did not what his word spread there, but it was a timing thing. God would eventually allow Paul to preach in Asia.

God has a way of sharing tidbits with us, but they are not for right now. We hear/see what God is saying and we want to move right away. However, God wants to be our navigator to take us the way we need to go in order to be prepared for the vision. It is not always a straight line from A to B. There are times when we have to go on a journey to point B that will burn off all the things that cannot be carried there from point A. It is the middle part of the journey that we really need to hear his voice. This is because if we get to point B too soon, we are not ready, the people there is not ready, and the end result will not be what God originally showed to us. Then we question God why? The answer is, you did not follow as God lead. You put the cart before the horse and made a wreck of everything. Now God has to back track and fix everything you messed up.

How many times has this happened to you?

What has God giving you specific instructions not to do but you still try to circumvent his will to do what you wanted to do?

We have to prepare for the journey. 

Just because God has put some temporary restrictions on you does not mean that you should stand still. Truthfully, this just means you need to pay closer attention to what God is saying so you can do what needs to be done right now. In patience, possess ye your soul (Luke 21:19). Patience here is taken from the Greek word hypomone, which means enduring hardship, persevering through trials, and weathering storms without succumbing to fear or despair.

This is especially appropriate for us when we have seen that tidbit from God and are rejoicing with a heart that is ready to walk in that promise. But again there is some baggage we carry that cannot go to this next level. God has a plan to excise this weight and sin that can so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1). To effectively accomplish we need God to be our navigator.

Introspection time – look at your self, and your current circumstances. Ask yourself, how did I get here? If the space does not feel as if this is where the Lord wants you to be then check your navigation system. Did you follow your own plans there? Or was God leading you to this place?

If it does not feel in your spirit that this is where God led you, then repent – with a sincere and wholesome heart. Take your hand off the wheel, and let God guide you back to the place you need to be.

If you are walking according to the word and your spirit give you confirmation, then stand ten does down! This is your place of spiritual battle, and you will come out victorious. This is a place that God is using to burn off some of that extra weight that cannot go with you to the next level. Let God work on you. It is a hard place, but a necessary one on your way to the next point. Eventually, you will be allowed to go exactly where God needs you. As you will be prepared for anything you might face there.

When Paul could not go into Asia right away, they found themselves in Berea, a Greek area, but the people received the word readily (Acts 17:11). This shows us that God will still use us mightily on our journey. Although they were not yet in Asia, they were will ministering the word of God every they went. This is the blessing of God’s navigation skills.

Let God be your navigator. No matter where the journey takes you the blessings of God will meet you there.

Have a blessed day!

Acts 12:11, “And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.”

Hello OTP family! The innocence of life. We go about our day doing what God has called us to do , as we are simultaneously living in our daily lives. Working our jobs, shopping, visiting friends and family. Just the normal activities of daily living. Yet at the same time, we are walking our walk with God. The enemy sees this and he sets traps to try to prevent us from doing what God is called us to do.. 

And Peter’s case he is going about doing things that God has called him to do but find himself thrown into prison because of sharing the word of God . He was not just thrown in prison, he was swarmed by a large number of guards. He was even chained to them, even as he slept. 

But God is faithful! Even in this harsh circumstance, God never leaves us nor forsake us. He does not forget about us. He has a way of walking through the midst of all of that and setting us free.

Just picture the circumstances that Peter found himself in, just being in a scary, dingy prison is intimidating enough, but beyond that he was overwhelmed with prison guards. Not just the standard number of guards for the average prison he had four times as many. The guards just weren’t keeping the prisoners. These additional guards were added just to keep watch over Peter and chain to him . 

Herod wanted o ensure that he could have his fun by torturing Peter just a curry favor with the Jews. But God has a way of upsetting the expectations of your enemies! 

Our God is so amazing that he knows how to deliver out of impossible situations. Or rather situations that seem impossible. 

A couple things about this situation sticks out to me: 

-We cannot be afraid to do what God has given us to do. We must understand that there’s nothing that could happen that God will not deliver us from.

-No matter what happens we can have rest (the peace of God) knowing that God has our back. I believe this is why Peter was able to sleep so soundly while in prison.  

There is a certain peace in doing the will of God that the enemy cannot shake.

The things that we are going through daily are not too big or too small for God to handle. You may not be facing a huge circumstance as Peter did, but you are still facing circumstances that the enemy means to use to destroy you piece by piece. 

But Peter is a perfect example  – no matter the circumstance – if you are in the mist of doing God‘s, will you have peace with God. You can rest knowing that God has your back. Understand that someway, somehow God is going to walk in the midst of your situation to loose your chains and set you free.

This is how God upsets the expectation of your enemy . They expect to see you afraid to see you frightful, to see you scared, and ashamed. Wondering what went wrong to cause you to be where you are. But know in your spirit, and in your heart, that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalms 37:23).

Understand that God uses the enemies plans to bring glory to his name. Understand that we don’t live in a vacuum, but we live our life out loud and in public, where people are watching (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). The things that you are going through are not just for you, but also for those who are watching you. These are part of the miracles that shall follow them that believe – how God so smoothly delivers us out of all of our trouble! 

God promised to leave his peace with us always (John 14:27). That piece of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). As you are going about doing God‘s will, that peace should remain in your heart. Understand that whatever comes from doing God‘s will – it’s going to be all right.

For example, as you endeavor to be faithful in your tithes and offering, there should be a peace in your heart, knowing that God shall supply all of your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). We don’t have to worry that there will be money enough to pay our bills because God is faithful. He watches over his word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). As you walk in obedience, giving according to God‘s word, God will in turn, take care of you and the things that concern you. 

Another example, as you go about your day, smiling, sharing kind words, offering words of witness of God‘s goodness as the spirit of God leads you to with the people that you encounter throughout your day just through your normal conversations and interactions . You don’t have to worry about how they will receive you. We can have confidence in our part of the formula – 

that some plant some water, but it’s God who gives an increase (1 corinthians 3:6-8). Even if it looks like they are not receptive to the word of God that you share, we must understand that God is still faithful. He knows how to increase that seed that was planted by you.

This indeed is a Faith walk! Everything that we do should be done in Faith. We tithe/ give in faith, and we witness in Faith – trusting the God of the increase! For God promised that his word would not come back to him void, but it will accomplish everything that he sent it to do (Isaiah 55:11). We are just the vessels that he uses to accomplish his will. 

Be encouraged and know that no matter the plan of the enemy, God has a way of upsetting the enemies plans!

Have a blessed day.

Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”

Hello OTP family! I just wanted to take a moment to remind you of the promise of God. We may go through, but God has our back. In the end, we are victorious. This involves every stage of our walk with Christ. Do not allow the enemy to make you believe anything to the contrary. You were built to be victorious. Especially during those times when you feel defeated.

We must understand that the enemy is a master manioulator. He does plan and sets snares and traps against the people of God. We can even acknowledge that he is very good at his job. But we must also understand that God is ALL powerful. His wisdom and might far out weigh anything the enemy can ever throw at us. 

The enemy schemes our destruction. There are times when it seems that the trap is working. But we must listen to the word of God carefully. Isaiah tells us that the weapon may fully form against us, but promises they will not prosper.

Many times this is just a clever illusion or trick that the enemy has convinced us that is a fact and uses fear to keep us distracted. There are also times when his schemes have actual consequences that can be very harmful to us. Schemes that destroys relationships that are very important to us. Or any other trap that he can devise. However, the duty of the believer is to stick with the word of God – always. When we are in the midst of these schemes, we must have our foundation rooted and ground in biblical principles. 

Looking at Isaiah – we are cautioned that these weapons do form. The weapons may even be used against us. But the promise of God still remains – they will not prosper! 

Many times we wonder at this scripture. We filter it through the lens of our past. We see all the times when hard times struck us. Or the many times when bad things happened to us. We wonder if God’s word is true. But let’s look at the scripture again.

In Isaiah 54:17, the word “prosper” means to succeed, to be victorious, or to have final and ultimate success, especially in the face of opposition or adversity. It implies not just a temporary advantage but a lasting and complete victory. The verse promises that any weapon or scheme formed against God’s people will ultimately fail and not achieve its intended destructive purpose.

With this definition in mind, we now understand that the enemy’s plan did not work. Yes, we may have suffered some loss. We may have lost some ground. But we are still here AND we have extrapolated some experience from the attack(s). We have come to know God to a deeper degree, and we are still standing strong in the Lord. The things that people have said regarding us – lies told. We can stand against them to condemn them. Why? because this is our heritage in the Lord. Because we are children of the most high God. For he has brought us into right standing through his blood.

We know that this is a suffering way – see 2 Timothy 3:12. But it is not a defeated way. We serve a God who always causes us to triumph – see 2 Corinthians 2:14. 

Yes, the weapon will form, but it will not prosper. When you fall down or are knocked down. Do not waddle. Get back up. Dust yourself off, and get back to work. In the end, you will triumph. You may have lost the job, but not the ability to earn a good living. Keep working, God has something bigger and better. The relationship may have ended, but that is not the end of your story. Delight yourself in the Lord. He can restore the relationship if it is his plan for your life. Let God and let God work things out in his own timing. In his own way. 

Our victory is always found in standing on the word of God – by faith.

Have a blessed night.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Hey OTP Family!! This morning. I was just meditating on the faithfulness of God. So I thought I’d share this as inspiration for you as well.

God’s word is true, for he cannot lie. Everything that he’s promised to us he’s able also to perform it.

Most of the time we think of God’s faithfulness from the same perspective as we think of our own. We realize how many times we failed God in the area of faithfulness to him, his statutes his word, the call and gifts that are in us and on us, and we think God does us the same way as we do him.

But God is not like us. He extends his amazing grace towards us. That amazing grace that looks beyond all of our faults and see our needs. He sees things in us that we don’t even see in ourselves yet. Because he knows the gift that is in us, his faithfulness to us is exceedingly great.

We serve a God that promised to never leave us nor forsake us. He promised to be with us through the very end. This includes in our good times in our bad times; the times when we are faithful and the times when we are not.

His faithfulness to us is totally depending upon his character and his sovereignty, not ours. His faithfulness is something that we can depend upon something that we can stand on and walk on and build upon.

Simply put God’s faithfulness is amazing!

Yes, we should strive to be faithful to God with everything that is within us. But in those times when we fail or fall, his faithfulness remains the same.

Take a moment to meditate upon God‘s faithfulness to you as you look back over your life and just begin to give God praise for who he is. Hallelujah.

Have a blessed day!

Hello OTP Family! Just wanted to share some of our new products available on our Etsy shop.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ADAPicks

The proceeds help to support the ministry.

Thanks and Godless

Genesis 3:11-13, “And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.”

Hi OTP family, today I want to talk about blame and avoidance. These 2 things happen when we know we have strayed away from God’s plan for and are doing our own thing. 

We use this tool of blame to avoid taking responsibility for our own actions or inaction. We think of blame as a “get out of jail” free card. All the Monopoly fans out there know about this card. This card helps us to avoid paying the penalty for our transgressions. But as any Monopoly fan will tell you – nothing is truly free. There is still a penalty to pay. For the limited time you are in jail you lose a turn and you cannot earn any income from any properties owned. Other players can land on your property without any threat of recourse.

What is blame?

Blame” refers to the act of assigning responsibility for something negative. It can be used as a noun, meaning the act of blaming, or as a verb, meaning to accuse someone of something. Blaming can be a way to avoid taking responsibility for one’s own actions, but it can also be a way to understand the cause of a problem.

The only good part of the blame game is that it can help you get to the root cause of a problem. But let’s be honest – very few of us use blame this way. For the most part when we play the blame game it is an attempt to be excused. We want to be excused from our responsibility.  Example: I did not do my portion of the school assignment because I lost power due to the storm. As a result of this failure the entire team has an incomplete assignment when the due date rolls around. 

When blame is not used to find the root cause of the problem it really has no value. 

The full truth of the matter is that a poor choice was made. When the poor choice was made the person was aware of this but lacked the will to do anything about it. They just decided to keep avoiding reality.

Adams knew what God told him about eating of that tree. When the woman handed him the fruit he could have made a different choice, but he did not. 

When he was caught he chose to play the blame game, passing the responsibility for the decision on to the woman. The woman’s did not want it – she was aware of what God commanded too. She passed the blame onto the serpent. 

Who wins the blame game?

In the end, no one wins the blame game. Everyone involved in this breach of responsibility suffered judgment. 

The only true way to win is to never play. When you fail – and we all do at one time or another – acknowledge your faults. Repent, ask God for forgiveness, and get back in line. Step back in your role and do what God had called you too. 

But remember you will need to tighten up, and understand that people are depending on you. You are apart of the body of Christ. There are people who need you to fulfill your portion of the team assignment. Otherwise, they will be forced to turn in an incomplete final product. 

What is avoidance?

It is also important to recognize the warning sign of avoidance. 

Avoidance, in its simplest form, is the act of staying away from something or someone, often due to discomfort or fear. It can be a conscious or unconscious behavior, and it can manifest in various ways, including emotional avoidance, behavioral avoidance, and situational avoidance. While avoidance can sometimes offer temporary relief, excessive or maladaptive avoidance can lead to negative consequences, hindering personal growth and potentially exacerbating underlying issues like anxiety or trauma. 

This fear can be subtle but deadly to our walk with God. If we allow ourselves to fall down this rabbit hole we will lose precious time. You will stay away from your purpose to your own detriment. Also, the impact to those who depend upon you to be the in your place may never be fully seen. 

Blame and avoidance usually travel in the car together. But we do not have to fall victim to them. The Bible tells us to be some and vigilant. Like a watchman on the wall, because our adversary – the devil – is walking around seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) We are not to be ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:21).

Recognize the tools and tricks, and act proactively. The Winans sings a song with lyrics “ it’s good to know he’ll be there if ever I fall, but it’s better to know. I don’t have to fall at all.” When we are sober and vigilant soldiers we can recognize the symptoms and take action before there is a fall. 

We have to do like David did and encourage ourselves (1 Samuel 30:6). We know ourselves better than anyone else. We recognize our triggers enough to avoid pitfalls. We just have to be willing to take action and not sit passively by while heading full speed ahead into that brick wall.

—-       —-       —-       —-       —-       —-

The blame game has no winners so don’t play. Accept the responsibility that comes with God’s plan for and call on your life. 

Say a prayer of repentance and get back in line. God is on your side. He is just waiting for you to remember that and act accordingly.

Have a blessed night.

Ezekiel 1:1-3, “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.”

Hey OTP Family! I am excited today – it is always a blessing to discuss the word of God. Today I want to discuss one of the tools God uses to push his people into action – Pressure. Ezekiel’s story is a great example of our ability to recognize God in tough situations, in hard times, when dealing with heartbreak and disappointments, etc. We cannot allow external pressure to keep us from walking out the will of God for our lives.

Let’s first talk about pressure. By definition, pressure is continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it. (2) The use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation  to make someone do something. (3) The influence or effect of someone or something. (4) The feeling of stressful urgency caused by the necessity of doing or achieving something, especially with limited time.

The enemy likes to use pressure against the people of God to get them to act against their best interest.

But remember, pressure makes diamonds! And God does not put more on us than we are able to bear.

Ezekiel was in the Babylonian Captivity under King Nebuchadnezzar. He was among the first wave of Judahite exiles taken to Babylon in 597 BCE, after the Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered Jerusalem. Specifically, he lived in Tel Abib, a settlement on the Chebar River in southern Babylonia, along with other exiles. It was during his time in exile, Ezekiel began his ministry as a prophet, receiving visions and messages from God.

Stretch your imagination with me to understand the type of pressure Ezekiel and the children of Israel had to be under. Just by the nature of being held captive by their enemy – Everything they previously had the freedom to do was no longer an option for them. They were removed from their home and taken to a strange place where they were no longer free to honor their own customs. The only sense of normalcy was being in captivity with his fellow countrymen. Being in captivity is full of pressure.

In spite of the pressure of captivity, Ezekiel began his ministry.

It is a mercy to have the word of God brought to us, and a duty to attend to it diligently, when we are in affliction. The voice of God came in the fullness of light and power, by the Holy Spirit. These visions seem to have been sent to possess the prophet’s mind with great and high thoughts of God. To strike terror upon sinners. To speak comfort to those that feared God, and humbled themselves.

The book of Ezekiel, written during this period, is a significant part of the Old Testament, focusing on themes of judgment, restoration, and hope.

Diamonds are formed under pressure.

Diamonds are renowned for their hardness and resistance to compression. They can withstand significant pressure without losing their structure. Under extremely high pressures and temperatures, diamond can transition to more stable structures.

We are also built to handle pressure. It is during times of pressure that God reveals his strength to us. When we are weak he is strong. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. He invites us to his glorious rest. Matthew 11:29-30.

Relinquishing control to God eases the impact of pressure.

Sometimes we have a white knuckle hold on things and refuse to realize our reluctance to let go is only working to increase pressure. However, when we take our hands off the steering wheel of our life, God is able to take over to guide us where we need to be.

Matthew 6:34 and Luke 12:25, teaches us that our thoughts should not be consumed with the things that causes pressure, for dwelling on them does not change anything – so we don’t worry. But we serve a God who is able. A God who can give us peace in the most high pressured situations. A God who speaks to us in the midst of life’s pressures. Just to show us his power, and his mighty control.

Yes, we are living in uncertain times that are full of pressure. Despite this, we are calm and confident. Calm – free from agitation or strong emotion, disturbances or violent activity. Confident – knowing we can rely on God. We rest in his presence. Psalms 91:1, teaches us of the secret place of the most high. That place of protection and comfort. We abide under his shadow and bask in his goodness.

This is how we deal with the pressures of life. We don’t have to run from them. We don’t even have to fully understand them, but we are calm and confident that we will survive them. That we will thrive in them – in spite of an enemy who thought the pressure would take us out. He didn’t know he was only making diamonds!

Just like Ezekiel, you can do the work of God in the midst of your captivity. Pressure makes diamonds! Find God in the midst of your pressure.

Have a blessed night.

Joshua 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Hey OTP Family – We are living in a time where we are encouraged to do whatever makes us happy without concern how our behavior impacts others. We are told we are not responsible for that. We have to live our own truth. The problem with this philosophy is that it is often in direct conflict with what the Bible teaches.

Genesis 4:9 teaches we are indeed our brother’s keeper. Romans 12:10 and Luke 22:32, also confirm that we have a responsibility toward our fellow man.

It al starts with our choice. As Joshua tells us to pick a side – good or evil. With either choice comes responsibility and consequences. We are admonished to make a wise and thoughtful choice. One brings blessings and the promises of God. The other allows you to do as you like and reap the everlasting recompense that comes with it.

Church 7 – Revelations 3:14-22

We are at the 7th and final church noted in Revelations chapters 2 and 3.

Just background insight to this church: “It was a wealthy trade-route city with an abundance of bankers and merchants. The church in Laodicea had characteristics that prefigured those of many churches in the modern and post-modern eras.” (Bibleref.com).

Jesus opens his letter by introducing himself to them: “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the beginning of God’s creation.” The name “Amen” indicates that He is God’s perfect and final revelation. He further revealed himself in his description of them “I know they works”. Nothing escapes Jesus’ attention. He tells the Laodicean church in this verse that He knows its condition. He says it is neither cold nor hot, although He would prefer that it was one or the other.

This church was perpetually in the middle of the road refusing to pick a side. Jesus further warned them in verse 16, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” This church was so caught up in their wealth they felt they didn’t need anything. The felt there was no need to pick a side. They were complacent in their commitment to God. They attended church and were pleased with the sense of satisfaction that came with regular attendance. However, God requires more.

In Romans 7:21-25, Paul spoke about a war in his body: “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”

But I want to set the record straight what Paul was talking about is not the same thing that was going on in the Church of Laodicean. Paul was hot – on fire for the cause of Christ. However, along his journey his flesh would constantly fight against him. His heart wanted to follow Christ, but his body wanted to follow the law of the flesh. These two are enemies and have totally separate (opposite) agendas.

In Revelations, the Church of Laodicea refused to be hot or cold. They were indifferent. As we learned in an earlier lesson, hate is not the opposite of love, indifference is. Paul’s love for Christ and the people of God caused him to wake up each day and fight the good fight of faith, to minister the word of God to all. That is being hot.

Cold or hate also requires passion of sort. People who are cold will fight against people just to bring misery. They seek to tear down anything that is positive or would bring glory to God.

The Laodicea church had no such strong emotion – love or hate, hot or cold – they were just there, taking up space in the church. They were lukewarm. God said because of their indifference he would spue them out of his mouth. He encouraged them to pick a side. Be hot or be cold. Be passionate about something. God can work on a heart that feels. He can move on the hardest of hearts. But the indifferent heart? That is a different animal altogether. This church was simply content to maintain a status quo position.

“This condemnation of “lukewarm” faith carries dire consequences. In that era, room-temperature water was dangerous water. Cold water suggested a flowing spring or river, and hot water was something which had been cooked or cleaned. Anything in between was, naturally, suspicious and possibly worthless.”

This church was so blinded by their material positions they could not see the truth. Revelations 3:17b, “and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

The extent of God’s love toward us is amazing. He sees us clearly and knows exactly where we are spiritually. He knows what we need, understands what we lack, and has the remedy for our situation. His ultimate goal is that none should perish, but to have eternal. For this reason, in verse 18-20, he cautioned this church to try him. “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock…”

God wanted this church to experience true riches which is in him alone. However, to access his riches one must pick a side, be hot or cold. Give him something to work with. He is a good, good Father. We must allow him to parent us. Any good parent must provide correction to their children.

Lukewarmness is not only harm to the person with this attitude, it can also affect and infect those around. But the Bible tells us to know those that labor among us. Discern the spiritual condition and pray for them. The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much. Your pray does make a difference, but ultimately it is up to this person to make a choice. As Joshua says “Life and good or death and evil”.

Pick a side – we don’t want to remain lukewarm so that God has to spit us out of his mouth. We need to be as Paul, hot and on fire for the cause of Christ. Failing that, at least be cold, give God something to work with. He can reach the cold heart. The indifferent or lukewarm heart has nothing invested and feels he does not need God.

If you find yourself in this lukewarm place, repent and ask God to enlighten the eyes of your understanding to his word, so you can make a choice.

Pray: Father I repent of how I have allowed myself to depend on my own wealth and strength, fooling myself into believing I no longer need you. Father help me to recognize my full need of you. Help me to serve you from a position where you are everything and I am nothing without you. Use me Lord to your glory and help me to show others your ways. I receive your goodness through faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Have a blessed night.