The Battle May Be Over But The War Is Not

Let me explain...

Any veteran can tell you when you're in a war, you fight several battles within the war.  Sometimes there are moments of peace and then BAM! just like that, you're fighing a battle.  Sometimes you're sleeping and then BAM! just like that, your enemy has executed a well planned sneak attack against you.  Sometimes you're just trying to eat your dinner and then BAM! just like that, a sniper attack.

In life we will face several battles.  Some we will win and some we will lose.  There may be times where we will be forced to retreat and regroup then return to battle restored, prepared and ready to fight.  Other times we will face battles that seem to be neverending.

Whatever the case may be, YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE.
Your resources are unlimited and your weapons are more powerful.  Some battles aren't even meant for you to fight but to simply STAND.

Those of us who walk with God have the power of Jesus Christ to win EVERY battle but sometimes our humanity gets in the way.  Sometimes we panic, lose focus and forget WHOSE we are.  It happens.

Battles come and go but the war won't end until Christ's return.
If you don't want to go through life being defeated LEARN to use your weapons, PRACTICE using your weapons so you can master them, then USE YOUR WEAPONS!

Next time I'll tell you what those weapons are.  Stay tuned...

Consequences, Tests & Attacks

Whenever you find yourself going through a tough time it's important to ask yourself this question: Is this a consequence of something I did?
If the answer is no, then you are either being tested or you are under attack. In either scenario it's important to ask God this question: Lord, what are
you trying to teach me?

Consequences
Be grateful you have a Father in Heaven who loves you enough to chastise you when you do wrong. Have you ever observed a child who has never been disciplined? It's really sad. They are all over the place going through life with no sense of direction or self control. Although I hate to admit it, I am sincerely grateful for those butt whippings I received.

Tests
These are necessary for God to move us to the next level. In school, you usually don't advance from one grade level to the next without having passed your final exam. The same is true in Christian living. God is trying to move you into a new place in Him but first we must prove we are worthy and capable enough to handle what He has in store for us. PAY ATTENTION and do what you need to do to pass this test. You DO NOT want to keep taking the same test over and over.

Attacks
Since Satan has to have God's permission to mess with you, there must be a reason He's allowing an attack. Sometimes we know the reasons and sometimes we never understand why God would allow such things to happen to us. In any case, have peace in knowing that God in His infinite wisdom has our best interest in mind.

For whatever reason, I have been compelled to blog about "going through." There is so much I have to say on this so I think I'll break it up over the next few weeks.

Be encouraged. These messages are for you! Stay tuned...

Going Through

Here is another I wrote a few years ago & had yet to post it here.  Enjoy...

I am inspired to post this blog for all of my friends who are “going through.”  For one, the loss of a loved one; another…a desert experience:  and another…financial burdens.

I am reminded of Tommy Tinney’s story of his daughter in the elevator.  She started to get nervous as the elevator became crowded because her view was obstructed.  She stretched forth her arms toward her father and said…”daddy pick me up, I can’t see from here.”  Tommy Tinney reached down to pick up his daughter and she was immediately comforted.  Take note: although her circumstances remained the same, she was able to see from a better view.

FOCUS

When you are going through, try focusing on your blessings vs. your situations.  If God never does another thing for you… you my friend have been blessed.  You ARE blessed.  Thank God for the “little” things because someone, somewhere is wishing they had your blessings.  Someone, somewhere would trade places with you in a heartbeat. 

When “going through”, I tend to view things in the spiritual realm.  Realizing where my true home is, I don’t really care what happens to me in the physical as I am no longer “of the world” I am in it.  I remember a conversation I had with a friend when I was struggling to pay a bill and she asked me a question that remained with me to this day…

”Do you know WHOSE you are?”… 

“Yes” was my reply …
“Then why are you worrying about HOW you’re going to pay your bill?”

I think that was the last time I worried about anything.

Try to focus on the outcome of your trials rather than the “going through.”  Bury yourself in the Word to remind yourself of God’s promises.  He does not lie, and He will honor His word.

GOD IS IN CONTROL

You know people give Satan too much credit.  God is in control.  If you belong to God, don’t you know Satan must seek permission to “mess” with you?  God is in control.  If He is allowing you to “go through” there must be a tremendous blessing waiting for you at the other end.

GIVE THANKS

Don’t forget to PRAISE throughout the entire process.  The bible tells us God inhabits the praises of His people and as you read through the scriptures, you will find evidence of that in each battle the Israelites found themselves in.  In EVERYTHING, give thanks…
 

Thank you God for meeting my needs TODAY.

Thank you God for my health and strength.

Thank you God for my place of employment.

Thank you God for my family.

Thank you God for waking me up TODAY.

Thank you God for saving a wretch like me.

THANK YOU GOD!

 Recommended Readings:

·         1 Thessalonians 5 (remember WHO’S you are)
·         Numbers 11 – (a lesson about complaining)
·         Praising the Hell Out of Yourself – Dr. George McCalep Jr.
·         God Chasers – by Tommy Tinney

Waste Not...

If you’re not making a difference with your life, you’re wasting it.

No matter how many times you go to church or how often you read your bible. If you’re not sharing your faith or ministering to others with the talents & gifts you’ve been given, your life is being wasted.

Consider the fig tree...

When Jesus saw that it failed to produce any fruit he cursed it and it died.

What we receive from God should flow through us. You were saved not only from condemnation but to be used as an instrument to bring others to Christ.
It doesn’t matter if your life is “together” or if you have issues. God can and will use you if you make yourself available to Him. It’s as easy as sharing what He’s done for YOU.

People can argue religion till the cows come home, but NO ONE can argue YOUR personal relationship with God. Only YOU can share how He saved YOU, how He healed YOU, how He called YOU, what He whispered to YOU or how He delivered YOU.

SHARE YOUR FAITH!

Press On!

Today I saw an adorable little 1 yr old girl walking around in the park. I watched as her little legs bounced around one foot in front of the other with her arms stretched out at her sides for balance. I just love that age when they're learning how to walk. She took a few steps then fell. She got up, took a few more steps then fell. She got up again, took a few more steps walking farther than she had before then fell and scraped her knees. Here come the tears! She reached up toward her dad with this pitiful look on her face. He picked her up, kissed her knees and comforted her. A few minutes later, there she was bobbling around again with her arms stretched out trying to balance.

This reminded me about my journey with God. For many of us it seems as though every time we take a few steps forward, we experience something that would set us back. But yet we press on. When I look back over my life, I remember trials, tests, temptations and challenges that seemed like I was living in hell. But when i cried my tears and moaned in pain, I looked toward my Heavenly Father. And just as a loving father would, He picked me up and I was comforted.

Whatever you're going through today, DON'T GIVE UP! We may stumble and fall at times but be encouraged to know it gets better. In life there will always be obstructions in the way or things (and people) that will come along and try to make us fall. But when we do, our Daddy God will be right there to comfort us.

Look to Him and press on!

Is God Your Genie?

Many times I have heard a prayer from a pastor, evangelist, deacon, etc. that include phrases asking God to "touch RIGHT NOW", "bless RIGHT NOW", "heal RIGHT NOW", "name it and claim it"...in the name of Jesus.  They boss God around as though He were a genie waiting around to grant our wishes.  This my friends is a dangerous assumption.

For those of us who have kids, can you imagine your child being given everything they ask for?  Most of their requests would ruin them (candy, fast food, unlimited freedom and life without boundaries).  The best of parents do everything they can to protect their children by establishing rules and expectations for them to follow...rewarding them for their efforts and accomplishments and setting consequences when they disobey.  All because we love them and we want them to grow to become successful in life.

Our Father in Heaven does the same for us.  He loves us and has given us His word to live by.  The scripture is full of rules, expectations, promises and rewards.  And when we disobey...consequences.

Make no mistake; although we are His children, our purpose on earth is to "serve" our God.  We are to surrender our lives to Him to be used for His purpose. We serve an "If" and "Then" God. 

"IF my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; THEN will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Cor 7:14

But...(IF)... seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and... (THEN)...all these things shall be added unto you. - Matt 6:33

Take notice God is not requesting a deed for a reward, rather He is calling for a change in your lifestyle.  Beware of pastors that tell you if you give $10 today, God will give you $100 tomorrow.  God doesn't work that way.

Do you only attend church, pray or read your bible when your situation gets desperate?  "Serving" God daily in everything we do is like studying in school.  If you study habitually, there are no worries when you show up to class and the teacher announces there will be a pop quiz.  You're confident you will do well because you studied.

If you didn't figure it out by now, let me be the first to tell you life is full of "pop quizzes."  Live righteously and believe without a doubt that God will take care of the rest.

React, Interact & Respond

Think back and remember…

-      The day your 1^st child was born…when you saw that baby…you just had to hold them in your arms…

-      The day you met your wife/husband…those butterflies in your stomach after seeing them for the first time. 

-      Your first crush…leaving the house looking extra special in hopes you would see them that day… How did you get their attention?

-      Your first job interview…the nerves you had…and how you got through it.

These are all encounters you had with someone that is or was important to you.

If you do not have an intimate relationship with God, you are missing the reason for Jesus’ coming.  He did not die just to save you from sin.  This is selfish thinking! 

“Yes, I’ll believe Jesus died on the cross if it saves me from eternal life in hell.”

God sent His Son Jesus to repair the relationship that was broken in the Garden of Eden between Himself and man.

In Matthew 27:51, the bible describes how the veil of the temple tore from the top to the bottom.  This was extremely significant because the only people who were allowed behind that veil were priests and Levites who prepared themselves to enter into the presence of God.  That access is now granted to everyone.

God gave me three words for you:

o   REACT
o   INTERACT
o   RESPOND

REACT

Whenever you are in the presence of the only true living God (be it in church, during prayer service, bible study or in any situation), there should be some type of reaction from you. 

When you had that encounter with that special someone in your life, you had a reaction.  If you are not reacting to God, you have yet to have an encounter with God.

 

INTERACT

Interact with Him.  God’s presence calls for fellowship with Him.  He’s not present just to be present.  He wants to spend time with you and you NEED to spend time with Him.

How did you get to know your son/daughter, wife/husband or that school crush?  You spent time with them.  True, quality time with them.

RESPOND

Respond to God through your faith.
Respond to God with obedience.
Respond to God through your actions. – pray, study, praise, worship, witness

Remember that school crush?  When messages between the two of you were passed along through your friends?

Well, God gave me a message for you:  He loves you.  He wants you to get to know Him.  He wants you to react, interact and respond.

Fill 'Er Up

If I were to ask you why you visit the gas station, most people would say “to fill up the gas tank” but in actuality you’re going to the gas station because you have things to do and places to go.  I’m sure you could find alternative methods for achieving your plans for the day, but it is so much easier to just fill the tank.  And God forbid, you tried to go about it on E.  You’re constantly worried you would actually make it because you may run out of gas and get stranded on the way.

Friends, I must tell you it is time for you to fill your tank.  God has things for you to do and places for you to go.  Make it easier on yourself and start the day with prayer.  Sing praises to God and allow Him to fill your spirit EVERYDAY.

Being filled makes it much easier to operate in His perfect will.  Being filled helps you deal with that annoying co-worker, a defiant child or that driver on the road.  Being filled helps you to see things, people and circumstances from God’s perspective – knowing He has complete control over every situation.  Being filled helps you to recognize spirits that may have been assigned to destroy you and your witness.

If you should suddenly find yourself stranded from trying to make it on empty, our God is like having AAA.  Just give Him a call and help is on the way.  There is one catch: the benefits of AAA are restricted to its members.  Accessibility to our Heavenly Father is only possible by accepting His offering of love thought the blood of Jesus Christ.  How hard is it to accept an offering of love?  Do it today and you too can have access to all the benefits, rewards and promises of our God in Heaven.

Got a story of how you were caught running on E?

I Wanna Be Clean

I wrote this a few years ago, but had yet to post it here.  Enjoy...

The other day my three year old ventured off into the bathroom and got friendly with a bottle of shampoo. After she started to play in it, she tried to get it off her hands by wiping it on her chest. She repeated this process until she was completely covered from head to toe in a slimy white film. At that point, she emerged from the bathroom and said “mommy, I wanna be clean”. After laughing at the site of her, I gave her a bath (for the second time that evening), cleaned up her mess and laid her in her bed. Then I thought about her choice of words…she didn’t say “help me” or “look what I did mommy”…she said “I wanna be clean.”
You know sometimes we get so involved in our sinful lifestyles that our hearts become covered with a filthy layer of sin and no matter what we try to do to clean ourselves up; we fall back into the same situation or make matters worse. Have you ever heard someone say they will start going to church when they get their lives together? That is impossible! The only thing capable of cleansing us from all unrighteousness is the blood of Christ. God will wash us in that blood, clean up our mess and give us rest. Why not take advantage of it?

PLEASE FORGIVE ME!

Dear God;

Please forgive me for not keeping you 1^st in my life.  Forgive me for not being half as faithful to you as you have been to me.  Forgive me for seeking to please men rather than pleasing you.  YOU God are my 1^st love.  And if I should ever need to be reminded, I will reflect on who you are.

-AMEN

If you have ever prayed this prayer or need to be reminded who God has been to you, PLAY THIS NOW!!!!

What A Mess!

I was driving down the street on my way to somewhere and I passed the biggest construction mess I have ever seen in my life. Dirt, cement, mud and rocks everywhere! The trucks were holding up traffic and I’m sure the sight of it was an eyesore for the neighbors.

Then I realized; once the all the work is complete and the construction site is cleared, something brand new and spectacular will appear.

If your life is a mess right now it is possible that you are under construction. Whenever there is a construction project there is a strong chance for delays. However, there are some projects that are completed ahead of schedule. Don’t wander around in the desert for 40 years like the Israelites. Submit to the will of God and His plan for your life. The timeliness of your success is a direct reflection of your spiritual obedience.

I Love My Life!

One afternoon, I spotted my 8yr old daughter spinning happily in the living room, dancing to the music bopping around in her head. “I love my life!” she shouted. We had recently moved to a new city to live with my sister. We left behind our very own place (where my daughter had her own room with plenty of space to play) and traded it for a spot on the couch in a tiny apartment. Yet, there she was loving her life. She had no idea about the pressures of life, the struggle to pay bills or my concern for securing employment.


I looked at her in all her happiness and joy then asked the question: “how can she be so happy with all that’s going on?” God answered: “because her needs are met.” Immediately, I felt the Holy Spirit check me. What am I stressed out about? My needs are met. Despite being unemployed we didn’t have to sleep in the street or at a shelter, we had food to eat, clothes to wear, a car to drive and our health. Praise God! Our needs are met.

Whatever you’re going through, praise God and be thankful. Your needs are met. Love life and the time you’re given on this earth. Make every moment count in the midst of your circumstances and be productive. Even during your trials God is up to something. Trust Him!

Let's Go For A Walk

Okay, anyone who knows me can tell you not to bother me before noon on Saturdays.  It is my day to sleep in and be lazy.  But on yesterday, God woke me up at 6am and said..."Let's go for a walk."  Without hesitation, I got dressed and headed out to take a walk with my Father.

As I was walking, God showed me some trees.  The first tree did not stand upright, rather it was had been blown over by strong winds and leaned toward the street.  God said..."Look at this tree.  Although it stands crooked, it remains deeply rooted in the ground and its branches continue to produce much fruit.  Just like you, it has weathered many storms and yet it stands.  I can still use it to produce much fruit."

The second tree was completely bare.  Lying next to it was a large pile of branches that had been cut from the tree.  God said..."Look at this tree.  It stands upright yet it failed to produce any fruit.  The dead wood was not good for the tree and it had to be removed so the tree can be restored."

Before I came upon the last set of trees, birds flew towards me and perched themselves on trees as I passed by.  I was greeted by a squirrel who seemed unafraid of my presence and stared at me until I was no longer in sight.  Then more birds flew near and started walking with me.  I asked..."What's going on Lord?  Why are they being drawn toward me?"  God said..."They see me walking with you and have come to reverence their creator."

Finally, as I started toward home, there was a tree that had completely bloomed with beautiful white flowers and another next to it with purple flowers and next to it was a tree that was bare.  I asked..."what happened to that tree Lord?"  God said..."This tree will bloom as well in it's own season."

Do you know God our Father?  He is so sweet and loving.  There is much more to our God than salvation alone.  Jesus came to bridge the gap (created by sin) that prevented us from having full access to the Father.  My fellowship with Him was like being in the Garden of Eden.

How do you spend time with Him?