Have Your Way, Lord!

Have Your way, Lord! Every Sunday someone says some version of this powerful statement at some point in the service in just about every church. In fact, many of you say it in your prayers daily. But here is the question that God put before me today. Do you really mean it? I almost got indignant!  God, what do You mean?! I want You to move and do what You do! His response? 'Well, then trust Me!' I began to think about what He was asking me. Am I speaking and talking like I truly want God to have His way in my life or does it just sound good to say? What about you? Could it be that you have made it a churchy thing to say but you aren't really putting the faith behind it? For a lot of folks, me included, it's time to get out of the way and let God REALLY have His way.

I immediately thought about Isaiah 55:8-11 where God speaks to Isaiah about how He thinks. It's truly one of my favorite passages and a promise that I stand on. He says in the Message translation, ““I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” GOD’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of My mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.” Do you see what the Lord is saying here? Do you understand that He is telling you that though you may not understand how He's working in your situation and circumstance, if He said it, He will finish it?! It's a reminder that you can't do what God can do! You can't bring that child home but God can and He can orchestrate a series of events to make it happen that you never could have put together. You can't get that spouse on one accord with you but God can and He can make it so that the years that you lost battling are redeemed back. You can't make that pain go away but God can and He can make it so that you don't look like what you've been through. Have Your way, God!

God reminded me this morning that He is a present help! I can rely on Him! I can release control of people and situations that are distracting me. I can stop trying to figure it all out and simply let Him have His way. Jeremiah 29:11 spoke to me as I was meditating and praying on this word. “This is GOD ’s Word on the subject: “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (MSG) It's an assurance that you can trust God to handle it all. When you say, "God, have Your way!” you can trust Him to take care of you through the process and that you will come out with the good future He has planned for you. I don't know about you but I feel a praise break! Have Your way, God! Have Your way in my home, in my finances, in my marriage! Have Your way in my workplace, in my church, in my relationships! Have Your way in my life! And when you release that control and ignite that trust and faith, you will see deliverance, joy, peace and restoration! Have Your way, God!

Amen

I BELIEVE!

Over the last few weeks, I have been celebrating who God is! It's just been on me to share with some and remind others of how great God is. It hasn't been a difficult task because He shows me daily how faithful and good He is. But today, as I sit home with a sick child, I heard the words 'what about now?'. Isn't that something? When all is right in your world, God is amazing and awesome and you can't stop giving Him the praise. But what about when you can't see a way out? What about when your child is sick and you can't help them? What about when your check says one thing but your bills say another? What is your response then? You see, it can be challenging when everything hits at once. But as I laid across my bed and prayed, I heard the simple chorus of one of Damion Murrill and Siloam's songs echo through my mind. It says, "I believe." And that's what it comes down to today. No matter what the enemy says, your response must be, "I believe!"

I was led to the story of Thomas in John 20. He was not around when Christ appeared to the disciples after His resurrection so he was doubtful when his brothers told him the story. “They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.””(John 20:25 NLT) Does that sound familiar? Isn't that what happens in your mind when you face a new and different test? Even though you have seen God work in so many other situations, this new one seems too big, so you struggle to trust God until you see the end result. Your flesh will always tell you to look at circumstances with your natural eye. But aren't you grateful for a Savior that will meet you where you are? “Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”” (John 20:26-27 MSG) You see, that's the kind of God I serve! He knew Thomas, just like He knows you, and He didn't lash out. He didn't put Him down or berate him. No, He met Thomas right where He was and brought Him out with a lesson! Jesus told him to stop doubting and believe. What more is He saying to you and me? I believe...

“And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””(John 20:28-29 NKJV) There is a blessing in trusting and believing what you can't see. There is power in knowing that what God has done before, He can surely do again. Do you believe that God can take what you can't see and bring about miracles? The last two verses in that chapter remind us of that.  "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:28-31 NKJV)

Isn't God faithful? He gives you what you need and more. Do you see that just by believing, you have gained life? Do you see that by believing, you will see miracles? Do you see that by believing, He will meet you where you are and give you divine lessons that will carry you forward in life? I declare to you today that I believe! I believe that you have what you need! I believe that you are healed! I believe that peace is yours. I believe that your joy is restored! I believe that the word God spoke to you will come to pass! I BELIEVE! May your faith be stirred up and your belief strengthened as you watch God work miracles in your life...

Amen

There's NOBODY like The Lord!

You may have noticed from my last few posts that I am delighting in who God is! In all that I have going on in my life with family, work, church, ministry, God continues to show me who He is. He continues to remind me that if I keep my eyes on Him, I can’t go wrong. Yesterday, I was listening to Maranda Willis singing “There’s nobody like you, Lord!” and it blessed my soul! I thought about how easy it is to get caught up in what man is doing. You can’t wait to hear a word from a famous preacher. You don’t have time to study your bible or go to church because your boyfriend or girlfriend want you to do something. You can’t make a move without so and so’s approval. But I’m just here to testify today that there is NOBODY like the Lord! The old folks used to sing, “can’t nobody do me like Jesus” and it’s true! He is a provider! He is a deliverer! He is a healer! He is faithful when you can’t see your way. He is a friend when you are alone! There is NOBODY like the Lord! I want to encourage you today to keep God at the forefront in everything you do and those problems and circumstances that seem so big will begin to shrink. There’s NOBODY like the Lord!

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.
 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.  He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.  He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
 He revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.  He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to His covenant, of those who obey His commandments!  The Lord has made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything. (Ps. 103: 1-19 NLT)

I love how David celebrates God and this is what my heart led me to share with you this morning.  I pray that you put yourself in David’s shoes and declare these things in your life. I pray that those of you that have been so caught up in people pleasing, and chasing position will remember that the God you serve is the ultimate promoter and position creator. He is God all by Himself and above Him there is no other! I pray that those of you who have been struggling in relationships because of selfishness or low self esteem will turn your focus away from what isn’t happening in your life and towards a God that is compassionate and unfailing in His love!  I pray that those of you that are having a hard time living the way God has called you to because others keep reminding you of who you used to be, will rejoice in a God that doesn’t deal with us like we deserve! I pray that those of you that just need a reminder, will praise the Lord with your whole heart and never forget all that He does for you! Saints, there is NOBODY like the Lord!

“So—who is like Me? Who holds a candle to Me?” says The Holy One. Look at the night skies:
    Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, and calls each by name— so magnificent, so powerful— and never overlooks a single one? Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.  He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And He knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. (Is. 40: 25-31, MSG)

There’s NOBODY like HIM!

AMEN

He is a GREAT GOD!

Last night, the bible study focus at my church was Hebrews 7, where you find a wonderful description of Jesus Christ as our High Priest. Can I tell you that it blessed me?! I mean, it really blessed me to think about Jesus as my intercessor and the perfect solution to the problems of the world! As I reflected on that this morning, I just kept thinking about who Jesus is in my life and I got excited! Saints, it gave me joy to just think about God, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost! It got so good to me that I wanted to invite you to share with me. You see, it’s so easy to get bogged down by what is happening in your daily life and in the world. People are dying, hunger is rampant, and sin abounds but I want to remind you that you serve a God that is truly amazing! If you don’t mind, can I just remind you of who God is?

He is Jehovah Shalom, your peace in the midst of struggle and circumstance! His peace surpasses all understanding and will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

He is the God of all comfort, when you have been battling grief and depression and struggling to find your way out. “He comforts us in all of our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (1 Cor. 1: 3-4)  You see, it’s working for your good and giving a purpose to your pain.

God is Jehovah Shammah! He is present and available when you are fighting against loneliness and wondering how you are going to make it to the next minute, hour or day! Even in your darkest place, He is there! “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4)

It’s getting good now! Some of you have been crying out for wisdom and understanding as you transition to your next level but God is El Shaddai! He is the all sufficient God who gives exactly what you need. The One who perfects and corrects and makes all things possible! “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai – God Almighty”. Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” You just have to trust that what He brings you to, He has planned for! He is more than enough!

Do y’all understand why I got excited? You see, I know God to be Jehovah Jireh, my provider! When I look at what I have in the natural and then see how God has kept me, I know that He is providing for me! I know that when I am wondering how I will make it, He has set a ram in the bush for me! He knows what you need before you ask for it! “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

When you have been going through so many battles, and it’s hard to lift your head up and keep going, God is Jehovah Ma’Ozi, your strength! Don’t you know that He will carry you, when you can’t pick yourself up? “The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God and I will praise Him- my father’s God, and I will exalt Him!” Even when your strength is gone, you win because God is fighting the battle for you! He has given you the victory!

I could literally go on and on! He is Jehovah Rapha, your healer! He is El Emunah, the faithful God! He is Jehovah Roi, the God who sees! He is El Ashiyb, the Lord your restorer! He is Your Rock, Your strong tower, your redeemer, and your salvation! He is quite simply the Great I AM! Sometimes, you can get caught up calling out the names of what is wrong in your life: sick, poor, angry, bitter, lonely, etc. But today, I challenge you to call out all of the things that God is in your life and I guarantee you that you will end up in a praise! He is truly worthy of every bit of it! Woooooo!! He’s a great God! May your soul be stirred, your heart be uplifted, your joy restored, and your spirit renewed as you think about the goodness of the Lord!

Be blessed…AMEN