Time to stand!

It’s January and a lot of us are in a place of expectancy. Your faith is strong and you are saying all the right things. You believe God for the impossible and it feels like you are right at the edge of your breakthrough. Even though your circumstances may be telling you something completely different, your faith is surging.  Then…silence! Situations seem to get worse and the way gets a little darker, the answers you have been waiting for don’t come. You know that God is still there but you don’t hear Him. You know that He has promised you great things but they seem to be taking a long time. What do you do? How do you stand without giving in to the enemy and his plan to get you to give up and turn back? 

The Lord sent me directly to Genesis 28:15-22.

I’ll stay with you, I’ll protect you wherever you go, and I’ll bring you back to this very ground. I’ll stick with you until I’ve done everything I promised you.”⁷ Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, “God is in this place—truly. And I didn’t even know it!” He was terrified. He whispered in awe, “Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.”  Jacob was up first thing in the morning. He took the stone he had used for his pillow and stood it up as a memorial pillar and poured oil over it. He christened the place Bethel (God’s House). The name of the town had been Luz until then.  Jacob vowed a vow: “If God stands by me and protects me on this journey on which I’m setting out, keeps me in food and clothing, and brings me back in one piece to my father’s house, this God will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a memorial pillar will mark this as a place where God lives. And everything you give me, I’ll return a tenth to you.” (MSG)

Jacob had just finished deceiving his father and taking his brother Esau’s blessing in the previous chapter. When he received this word from the Lord in a dream, he was running away from Esau’s anger and death threat. However, notice that God did not bring up His past. He did not remind him of how shady He was. In fact, He did the opposite…He blessed Jacob right where he was.  If you are waiting on God to move in your life, don’t dwell on what you used to do or who you used to be, think about what you will do and stand on the Word. Jacob made a vow with God! It took 20 years for Jacob to return to his father’s house but he stood on the Word and did what he promised with his tenth and God blessed him repeatedly because of their covenant.

When it gets quiet, stand on the Word! Saints, God sees and knows everything that you are going through. He is an ever present help in the time of trouble. Believe what He says and stand on it! Continue to praise, continue to give, and continue to serve. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Gal. 6:9, NLT) If God has promised you something, believe Him and confess it every day until it comes to pass! If it seems that God is silent, just know that He is working things out for your good! Keep standing, God is in control!

Amen!

Exactly what you need!

I don’t have anything to say! It’s an odd place for me but a real one. I just don’t! Well, the Lord responded to my statement with “Good!” To which I replied, “Not helpful, Lord.” However, He began to minister to me and I pray that it helps you today.

The Lord simply reminded me of a verse that I know well – 2 Corinthians 12:9. I will share it with you in the Passion Translation today. “But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.”

This struck me because I didn’t recognize that my search for words was a weakness. But, in actuality, it was. Why? Because it was something that was making me struggle and holding up my progress. My weakness changes every day. One day it might be raising my children, one day it might be being a good wife, one day it might be being a good leader. However, in all of those situations, God’s grace and power is exactly what I need. He comes with his “A” game every single time because His power kicks up a notch in my weakness.

I don’t know what you have had a hard time with this week or this month or even for the last several years. Your weaknesses may be different from mine. However, what I know for sure is that The Lord is working at full capacity on your behalf. He is prepared and willing to meet your weakness with His strength and grace. Today, I just want to remind you that you don’t have to stand on your own. You don’t have to figure out your next step or your business or your family or even your health on your own. You have an Abba Father, who is keenly aware of your struggles and challenges and is waiting to show Himself strong on your behalf. 

Be encouraged, saints! It’s handled.

Amen

Who’s with me?!

Well! Happy New Year, friends! You made it to 2019 and what a blessing that is. So many did not cross into this year, young and old, but you are still here. Isn’t that enough to give God glory?! It is for me! You see, I decided that this would be the year of God for me. That is not to say that I have not focused on Him in previous years but this year, I need Him to be so much and I need Him in His rightful place.

You see, it’s so easy to get caught up in what you need from people – their encouragement, their strength, their friendship and forget that it is all secondary to what God provides. He is the ultimate comforter, confidant and friend. He is the protection from the cold treatment of the world and the shield that keeps the enemy’s arrows away. He is quite simply…everything.

The Lord spoke Romans 8:31 in the New King James Version to me this morning as a reminder of who He is. (I think He uses that translation when He wants me to know that He is serious.)

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”(Romans‬ ‭8:31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

And there it is…the conclusion of the matter! You see, this verse follows 3 or 4 verses about calling and God’s purpose. It reminded me that what He is doing, He is doing well and with intention. He has me covered and the same goes for you. There is nothing and no one that can overcome you if He is on your side. So can I just encourage you to take 2019 by storm? Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from doing that thing or things that He has put on the inside of you to do. He is fighting for you and He has never lost a battle!

Come forth, evangelist! There are souls waiting on you and fear won’t hold you back. Come forth, missionary! There are countries in need of Christ and resources won’t limit your reach. Come forth, writer! There are readers searching for your words and the opinions of people won’t stop you! Come forth, apostle! There are new territories to be tackled and small-town thinking won’t make you question your strategy. This is the year that you let God be everything in your life. I promise that He is the best teammate and He is for you!

Amen

Hey! Wasn’t that you?!

Whenever a new year approaches, people inevitably think about the challenges of the year that is ending and declare that the next year will be different. The world likes to call it making resolutions but church folk usually say things like “this year won’t be like last year” or “I’m not looking back, only forward!” But the Lord asked me this morning about impact. With all the things you won’t do anymore or won’t tolerate, or won’t participate in, sometimes you can forget to reconcile what you already did. It’s easy to see what has happened to you, right? But what impact have you made? What will others remember about you in 2018?

1 Peter 2:11&12 are interesting verses and the ones that the Lord highlighted for me this morning. I read them in 4 or 5 translations, all of which preached a word to me. But I was led to share the Message translation. It says, “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.” 

You see, it is so important that you don’t get so caught up in operating and living like the world that the unsaved can’t see a difference. What would the people at the grocery store say about you in 2018? What about at work or in the neighborhood? Would they celebrate your God based on how you treated people, reacted to crisis, or made decisions? What impact have you made? It’s time to stop being so casual about your witness and really be like Christ. I recently saw an answer on a survey about the church that broke my heart. In response to the question of why they don’t attend church, they said “because church people don’t act like Christians outside of the church.” Sure, that’s not everyone but someone made such an impression with their behavior or attitude that the person was uninterested in church. What if it was you?

As you go through these last few days of 2018, ask yourself if you are living in such a way that God would be celebrated by the unsaved. Be honest! Is it time to merge your Monday – Saturday life with your Sunday life? Lord, help if Jesus returns on a Thursday! So while you are guarding your heart and your words this year, also guard your witness! Be mindful of what you say, how you respond and where you go.  Be the one that brings folks to Christ instead of running them away. Consider your impact in 2019!

Amen

And the fight goes to...

Hey family!  I just want to encourage you today as 2019 draws closer. Jesus has never lost a battle! That is what I keep hearing on repeat in my spirit. Sometimes when the load gets very heavy, and the war gets long, it can be hard to pay attention to the wins. You get weary, and your focus waivers and you struggle to see the why or the how. But the Lord just wanted me to remind you that He is your strong tower and your great defender. He is capable and willing to fight for you! He is Jehovah Sabaoth – the God who wages war on your behalf and causes wars to cease! He is fighting for you, and He has never lost.

Do you remember the story of Jehoshaphat and the fight against the Moabites and the Ammonites in 2 Chronicles 20? Three nations came together to go against the people of Judah, and it terrified them. Jehoshaphat called a fast and called on the Lord. He gave an impassioned plea, crying out for help. He ended his prayer with, “O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” (2 Chr. 20: 12, NLT)

The Lord responded, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.  Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.  But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (2 Chr. 20: 15-17, NLT)

So, this is often the part that people highlight. I mean, why wouldn’t you? The Lord has assured the people that He is with them and they do not need to fight. Cue the organ music and start the run! Well today, I need you to look ahead to what happens after the Lord has spoken. This is what I want you to hold onto as you prepare for the new thing that the Lord is calling you to in 2019.

“As they sang and praised, the Eternal was ready to cause great confusion in battle for the men from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir (in Edom) who had come to attack Judah. They were utterly defeated, turning on one another.  The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the men from Mount Seir, destroying them completely. Then, the Ammonites and Moabites turned on each other. When all was quiet, Judah looked out of the watchtower in the wilderness and saw a great army of corpses fallen on the battlefield. No one had escaped.” (2 Chr. 20:22-24, VOICE)

Hear me, saints! The battle plan is in place, and it is going to work. The Lord is the master strategist, and He never loses a battle. Do not be confused by the fact that sometimes things don’t work the way YOU think they should. I’m sorry to tell you this, but your plan is not the one on the table. The Lord can make your enemies work together to bless you or confuse them so much that they take themselves out of the picture. He is fighting for you! Do you see that last line? No one escaped! Not one imp or demon, not one man or weapon was able to infiltrate God’s plan. It will work!  You just have to stand on the word of the Lord. You have to trust that His victory is assured. You have to worship and praise. Do NOT be afraid or discouraged! He has everything under control! Therefore, right now I speak strength into your weakness and power into your body. I call out the spirit of weariness and frustration and declare peace into your spirit. You will walk into your future with shoulders back and a raised head. You will live out your destiny with purpose and confidence. And most importantly, you will see the victory and hope that was spoken over your life before you were even born! You win!

Amen

Packing 101

Happy Thursday, Rhema friends! Time is winding down in this year and it is a time of great reflection. It is a time to identify what you do not want to take with you into the coming year. In fact, I challenged you last week to be intentional and focused on that very thing. Well, today, I want to do the opposite. I want you to consider what you do want to take into the new year and be just as intentional on doing it. You see, it can be just as challenging to accept the new, as it is to let go of the old. You have to have a renewed mind that speaks the forward thinking of Christ. It has to have an “old has passed away; behold the new has come” type of mentality to be successful at this challenge. I believe you can do it! What about you?

Let’s get started! One of the things I know about the Lord is that He is a planner. He is not scrambling at the last minute to put equipment or resources where it is needed. Nope, He has placed exactly what is necessary for every situation in you, ready to be used. You just have to tap into it. You have to call it out. Think about it! Have you been called on at work or church to do something at the last minute and you think you will pass out and not be able to accomplish the task?  However, when you get up, the words flow and all goes well. Why do you think that is? It’s because it is already in you. The Bible says in Psalm 139:16, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (NLT). He is already prepared for every moment that you will face, you just have to trust Him enough to walk in what He put in you.

So what is my point? Take into next year the authority to call your gifts into action when you need them. Take the spiritual boldness to make your election sure and walk powerfully in your calling. Take with you the memory that God knew who you would be before you were born and put you together perfectly for what He has called you to do. Come on, saints of God! This is a call to action for 2019. This is a challenge to step out of the weariness of 2018 and into the refreshing of a new year. Take a renewed energy and a fresh forgiveness towards those that you struggled with this year. I have seen too many people dying suddenly for me to worry with old grudges and past hurts. Therefore, here’s my public announcement to any and all that need to see it! If you are still mad at me in 2019, you’re on your own! If you are still offended by something that I don’t know about, might as well throw it up! If you need to get something off your chest, please schedule it before 11:59pm on December 31^st because old things are not on my list to take with me. I am jumping off the rollercoaster ride and stepping peacefully onto firm ground. God has big things for you and me next year. Do not miss it with pettiness!

Alright, everyone got it? Take with you what is edifying to your spirit and cleansing to your soul. Take joy, peace, and freedom. Take boldness, power, and authority. I am getting excited now! Why? Because I am picturing a whole army of soldiers that are empowered to take the world back for the Kingdom. I see pastors, apostles, evangelists, prophets, and teachers taking their rightful places with boldness. I feel the upward call of God in Christ Jesus covering what lies behind and pushing you forward to what lies ahead. Yessssss! Its time! Come on, 2019, I’ve got something for you!

Amen

Hey, 2018! Got something for ya...

Happy Thursday, family! There are 25 days left in 2018 and I want to offer a reminder to you. It is probably something that you think about at the end of every year but somehow do not always manage to accomplish. This year I want to encourage you to do it. What is it that I am asking you to do? Before the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2019, intentionally and consciously leave what hurt you, offended you, and hindered you in 2018. Everything that this year challenged you with can go in the books with 2018, if you will let it. Now, this might be difficult for you because it means that you can’t dwell on the people and things that did you wrong. You cannot replay the conversations and try to interpret what was said and the motives behind it. You can’t even take your right to be right and use it to downplay your role or lack of response. You see, today the Lord is calling you to do what He did. Put all of the mess on the cross and leave it.

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.” (Hebrews 12:2 MSG)

Will you do me a favor and read that verse again? I want you to pull something from it as you make this journey over the next 3 weeks. First, Jesus finished the race so you can safely follow His lead without wondering if this will work. Some of you struggle with following your leader because something in you reminds you that they are human. Therefore, we can alleviate that concern and go forward to what I want you to see. Jesus never lost sight of where He was headed so everything that happened to him paled in comparison to His destination. It is time for you to look ahead to your destination and stop living in your past. The hurt, the shame, the heartache, the offense, or anything else you have endured, cannot stand up to what God has In store for you UNLESS YOU LET IT. Look at the verse! Because He endured and kept moving towards glory, He is THERE now. Did He get weary? Yes! Did He get frustrated? Yes! Did He question God? Yes! However, at the end of the day, He moved through all that was done to him and came out on the other side.

Saints, will you do a self-examination of your heart and see what is taking up space in there that does not belong? Will you put your eyes on the best example and place all of those things at the cross so that you can move into your 2019 without the weights of 2018. I mean it! Leave 2018 with all its mess and the mess of any other year. Leave it! Why? Because you have a THERE to get to and you need to have room for what the Lord has waiting for you. Come on! You have some stuff to drop off at 2018’s door. Let’s go!

Amen