Not my fight!

There comes a time in everyone's life when you have to fight. It doesn't necessarily mean a physical battle but it often feels like it. It could be the fight to live when everything seems to be closing in on you. It could be a fight for your marriage when outside forces have disrupted the normalcy. It could even be a fight for your mind when circumstances say that you should be crazy. Whatever it may be that you have to battle with, The Lord is saying today that He will fight on your behalf. You don't have to draw up the battle plan, or get the other soldiers on your team or buy the weapons. You just have to equip and cover yourself with the instructions He has already given you.

2 Chronicles 20 is a great chapter to remind you that God doesn't need your assistance to fight. The Ammonites and Moabites are coming against the people of Judah and they are ready to fight. The Bible says it was a multitude. That's a lot of people, y'all! Jehoshaphat calls a nationwide fast and then lays down a prayer to get God's attention. He reminds Him of all they know Him to be and ends by saying "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." (2 Chron 20:12 NKJV) This is powerful because what Jehoshaphat has done is put everything in God's hands. He knows the size of the battle that is coming but recognizes that they as a people cannot handle it. It's time for us to take the same approach. Stop trying to wage battles that are too big for you. Instead, prepare yourself for the instruction that God will give and be ready to obey. Sometimes it's not what the plan is but your willingness to follow it.

After Jehoshaphat's prayer, the Spirit of The Lord speaks through the priest to the people and gives them the instruction. "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of The Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for The Lord is with you." (2 Chron. 20:15-17 NKJV) There is so much in this passage but one thing that jumped out at me was the fact that The Lord knew exactly what the enemy was going to do and told them how to position themselves to survive. So often we get so caught up in the enemy that we forget that the creation cannot outwit the Creator. No matter what the devil comes up with, it won't overtake you unless you don't follow instruction. God will position you and then He will fight for you!

What did the people do next? They WORSHIPPED! They praised and they worshipped God after the Word came and when they got up to follow instruction, they went forth again. "Now when they began to sing and to praise, The Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated." (2 Chron. 20:22 NKJV) They destroyed one another! And when Judah saw that everyone was dead and came to get the spoils, there was such an abundance that it took 3 days to get it all. Then they worshipped again! Your worship will equip you and sustain you. If you want to "help" God fight your battles, that's how you do it. You give God your best praise and your best worship. That says to God, "I trust You to handle this fight for me." The other benefit is that you are not in the way of your own victory. When Judah stepped back and gave everything over to God, He was able to position them not only for victory but for abundance.

Life is something and always has something to throw at you but you have a God that will fight for you. Sure, there will be times that He calls upon you to fight, but make sure you follow His battle plan and not yours. God wants you to know that you are not out here alone. He sees and He knows and He will prepare you if you will only listen and obey.

God bless and keep you! Amen...

The Silent Approach

What do you do when you don’t hear anything? When you’re waiting on a change or a Word and nothing comes? What is your response? Do you immediately start coming up with your own answers? Do you start surveying all of your friends for their opinions? One of the hardest attributes to gain is patience because we have been constantly influenced by the word “now”.  Because the desire to have things right away has been so ingrained in us, we struggle when we have to wait for things or when we don’t get what we want from God right when we ask. I literally sat for an hour waiting for this entry. I prayed, meditated, sang, sat still and nothing. I started to just not send anything out when I heard the first line. There are so many instances of people waiting on God in the Bible. As a matter of fact, I have written about waiting many times before myself. But today, God gave me the word silence to go along with it. That was actually the first thing I heard but I didn’t think that was it or maybe truthfully, I didn’t want it to be it! Many of us have a problem with waiting but even more of us struggle with not opening our mouths while we wait. So…what about the silent approach?

Often, our breakthroughs and victories are slowed down by the things we say. It could be in a joking way or in sad or angry moment but it doesn’t change what you’re saying. Need an example? Have you ever said, “I don’t have a penny to my name or my money is funny!” While it might be a reality when you said it, that’s what is put out in the atmosphere. You have claimed that reality as your own. After a long process, I finally learned to just shut up. If I don’t have anything positive to say about my situation then I try to keep it to myself or pray about it. I still have moments as we all do but Proverbs 18:21 is true. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those that love it will eat its fruit.” (NKJV) In other words what you say has power to produce life or death in your situation. Be like David and ask God to help you.  He cried out to the Lord, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Ps. 141:3 NKJV) Have you tried the silent approach?

We look to Isaiah 53 all the time when think of all that we gained when Jesus died on the cross for us – healing, forgiveness, peace, etc.  But verse 7 really blessed me today and taught a great lesson on going through hardship in silence. “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” (NKJV) Think about that. All the time, Jesus was being beaten, spit on, cursed, and more, He did not say a word. He bore His suffering in silence. Now don’t run off in the wrong direction. I’m not saying if you need counseling or you are in an abusive situation, you shouldn’t say anything. I’m talking about going through hard times, struggling in ministry, struggling in your marriage. You don’t have to broadcast your suffering for the sake of others. Sometimes the lesson is in being silent so that you can hear the Lord’s direction and guidance. Your answer could be right there but you are running here, there, and everywhere telling and asking anyone who will listen. If Jesus could go through all that He went through and not say a mumbling word. How much more can we wait and listen? Have you tried the silent approach?

I love how in Psalm 62:5, David speaks to his own soul in the midst of a chapter about finding refuge from oppression and waiting for God’s salvation. He says, “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.” (NKJV) When we feel frustration and impatience rise up in our spirit and soul, speak to it! Call up that confidence and hope that you have in God. Don’t allow the restlessness to overcome you and win. Remind yourself that the answer doesn’t lie in you but in God so you really don’t need to give your opinion.  If you have struggled with hearing from the Lord, try the silent approach, you might find that His voice is louder than you’ve ever noticed.

God bless you…AMEN

Do you have YOUR keys?

You have the keys, why aren’t you using them? That’s what the Lord told me this morning during prayer. I almost got up off the floor and shouted! I know, I know!  I need to stop having these reactions when the Lord says stuff to me but it always first shocks and then amazes me.  Not because He spoke but because often times, it is things that are so simple but are life changing. We are living in a season of uncovering. The enemy has blinded the world, the church, us… so much so, that we are missing so much that God has laid out for us in the Word. My uncle used to drill 2 Corinthians 4:4 into my head. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (KJV) He used to make sure that we noticed the small “g” in god in the first line. That’s the devil! If the enemy can keep us blinded and ignorant to the things that he is conducting in the world, we will go along with them and stay lost. But God is calling on us to see and stop the devil in his tracks. God wants us to know today that He has equipped us for this journey, if only we will use the keys and weapons that He has given us.

In Matthew 16, Jesus teaches us a great lesson about what we have been given. He asks the disciples “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (v13)They respond and He asks “But who do you say I am?” (v15) Peter answers and says “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”(v. 16) Jesus answers and gives us a powerful weapon that many of us are not using in our daily lives.  “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.  And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” (Matt. 16: 17-19 NLT) Do you see that we have been given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven? We have the power to forbid things from happening on earth and it will be forbidden in heaven and permit things here on earth that will be permitted in heaven. In other words, you don’t have to stand for the devil’s foolishness! If we are called by the name of Jesus, we can bind up sickness, confusion, lack and it will be forbidden in heaven. We can loose good health, peace, prosperity and everything in heaven will back us up. You have the keys, why aren’t you using them?

I had every intention of ending here because that was deep enough but God kept going. He sent me to Revelation. The book of Revelation is a powerful prophecy and there is so much that can be pulled from it. Often times, you don’t hear Revelation taught in church because of how deep and powerful the message is. However, the prologue of the book even tells us that God blesses those who read the book to the church and those who listen and obey.   I was already a little hesitant because this word was already different from my normal. But God challenged me to tell you that it’s time out for giving our power over to the devil because of ignorance when he has already been defeated. Look at Revelation 1. John was in worship when Jesus appeared before him and told him to write down everything that he witnessed. In verse 18, Jesus says, “I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” Wait a minute, so if Jesus holds the keys to death and the grave and we carry His name and are His, the enemy can’t threaten us with death and defeat right?  Well, if we know that Jesus is alive and holds the keys of death and the grave, why are we still allowing the enemy to kill our spirits? Why do we still own lack and sickness? Why do we still settle for a dead existence? We serve a LIVING God! You have the keys why aren’t you using them?

I don’t know about you but I’m ready to live. I don’t want to struggle with things that God has already given me the power to overcome. I want to use the keys of Kingdom living that He has given me. What good is it to have a brand new car in your driveway, and you have the keys but you leave them hanging in your kitchen. But then you wonder why you can’t get the car to go. We have been given the keys to this life and Christ holds the keys to death. Doesn’t that cover everything? Jesus can open doors that no man can close and close doors that no man can open.  That’s a lot of power, y’all! No more living in fear, doubt, depression, and lack. Open up your Word and start unlocking some doors! You have the keys…time to start driving!

Surviving Babylon...

I love Jeremiah 29:11. It is one of my favorite scriptures and is one of comfort to me whenever the trials of life get too hard. The Lord dropped it into my spirit last night when I was talking to a friend at church so I passed it along. But this morning He gave it to me again and impressed upon me to read the entire chapter. It's an open letter from Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon from The Lord and it truly blessed me. He then encouraged me to share with you what He shared with me.

 Many of us are in a transitional period of our lives. Everything seems hard and your surroundings appear strange. You feel out of place or out of sorts, not quite sure which way to go. You have been sent on a journey. It's not a pleasure trip but rather one of testing, growth and of faith. But I am here to tell you that you will survive Babylon.

 Look at what God says in verses 5-7. “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:5-7 NLT) God has you where you are for a reason but while you are there, you have to build and live like you plan to stay. He doesn't want you to walk around in depression or confusion. No! He wants you to pray your way through for your peace lies in finding peace with your season.

This is not to say that you should let your guard down during this season. Not at all! Beware of those that always have "a word" for your situation. In verses 8&9, God warns the people to be wary of who comes to them during this time with "a word" for they are liars and false prophets. He goes on to say through Jeremiah that their captivity would be long...70 years! But He wanted them to be mindful of His promise and that promise was for a future! That's where verses 11 - 14 come in. God knows exactly where you are right now and what you are struggling with but He wants you realize that on the other side, there is restoration and answered prayers. No matter how long this season lasts for you, you cannot get caught up in a Babylonian mindset where all you see is loss and failure. You have to keep your eyes on freedom for it has been promised!

The rest of the letter is a rebuke to those who remained in Jerusalem and to the false prophets that told lies on God. There will be retribution. You see, we can't get caught up in what those who we have to leave behind are doing. God will deal with them. If they have lied, if they have stayed in a place that is not theirs, if they have sinned, there will be consequences. But you don't have to administer them. You must keep your eyes on what God has called you to do and keep moving.
 
You are victorious! You are a survivor! You are an overcomer! Babylon will be transformed because you prayed for it and endured. This post will not be for everyone and everyone won't read it but if you have been struggling through transition to find your way or fighting through your hard place, please take heed. God is with you and He has plans for you. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."(Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

 
Be blessed...Amen!

 

Shhhhh....God is speaking!

Do you remember as a little child when you would be talking a mile a minute or when you weren’t supposed to be talking, your parents or your teacher would put their finger up to their mouth and say SHHHHHHHH? That was the way many of us learned the cue to be quiet.  Nobody has to explain what it means when someone says SHHHHHHHHH, right? It’s universal.  We live in a culture where everyone has to give their opinion. Everybody has to have a chance to talk. It seems now that we’ve taken that into our relationship with God. We want to tell him all about our situations and issues but whenever He wants to give us the answer, we can’t hear him because we’re still talking. Well today, if you close your eyes and really listen, you can hear the Lord saying “SHHHHHHHHHHH…I’m speaking.”

It’s so interesting how often you hear people say that they need to hear from God or how long it’s taking to get an answer. But we fail to recognize that God hasn’t stopped speaking or answering, we’ve just stopped listening. Do you remember in Exodus 14 when the children of Israel were at the Red Sea and the Egyptians were quickly approaching? They began to cry out in fear and ask Moses why he led them out of Egypt to die. Sound familiar? You know when you got to that trial that you didn’t see coming and it caused you to chase after God but when the breakthrough didn’t come as expected you began to question God’s plan? They were ready to turn back but Moses told them to “stand by and see the salvation of the Lord…” but the key scripture for today is found in verse 14, “The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” (Ex. 14: 14 NASB) Right after he said that, the Lord began to speak and He told Moses exactly what to do and they were saved!  God couldn’t tell them what to do when they were talking and crying. Shhhhhhh…God is speaking

What about our friend Elijah? We find him in 1 Kings 19 in quite a mess after killing all of the false prophets of Baal and ticking Jezebel off.  She promised that she was going to kill him so he ran for his life into the wilderness. Like many of us may have done, he started talking and asked the Lord to take his life. He just couldn’t see a way out of his situation so all he saw was the end. But I am grateful for a God that knows what we will face and will send angels to minister to us in our low place. The angel of the Lord fed Elijah and he was able to travel for 40 days on that food until he reached a cave on Horeb, the mountain of God. The Lord came to him and asked why he was there. Elijah responded and The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” This is when it gets good, folks.  “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” (1 Kings 19: 11–13 NIV) Sometimes we get caught up in thinking we need a big grand sermon, a famous preacher, or thunder and lightning for God to be speaking to us. We keep talking and searching and we miss the fact that He is speaking to us in a whisper. Shhhhhh…God is speaking

Whenever I need a word from God, I have to put myself in a place of silence. A place where there is no distraction. Before I write this blog, I pray and then lie quietly and just listen. God is always speaking but we are missing it. We’re missing it as individuals, as families, and as the church.  He wants us to know His heart and hear what He is telling us but we seem to like the sound of our own voices too much. Proverbs 10:8 says “the wise of heart will receive commands, but a babbling fool will be ruined.” (NASB) It’s time to be quiet and listen, friends, because God is speaking.

May your hearts and ears be open to receive what the Lord is saying to you today…God bless!

AMEN…