The Helmet of Salvation

There are so many things that can cause us to worry, to be distracted, to be stressed and depressed. But because God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind I believe that He protects us from the many things that could cause us to have fear, to be worried and distressed, but because of His love, His mercy and His grace He keeps our minds in perfect peace, even when we don’t even realize it. I believe God places that helmet of salvation over us when we confess Him as Lord and Savior. But the enemy tries to tilt our helmet to the side or knock it off of our head by launching his fiery darts at us, allowing our mind to be exposed from time to time. We know the tricks of the enemies. Just like he knows which buttons to push, which darts to shoot as us to distract us and take our attention off of the comforter, the Holy Spirit that resides in us. We also know our own weaknesses. We know what will rock us. Knowing this we need to put up guard. We need to remain steadfast in faith and prayer.

Great Expectations

We are looking for a mighty move of God in in 2017.

Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

As we move into a new year expect God to do a new thing. Expect Him to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think. Join us each month as we explore what God has in store for us as we remain steadfast in faith and prayer.

What are you expecting in 2017?  What are you believing God for? I’ll bet you have a list that goes on and on. You may be believing God for health for yourself and loved ones, maybe a better or different job, a financial breakthrough or perhaps to discover your purpose. And don’t forget salvation for your lost loved ones. These are just a few of the things that most of us want. We want and expect God to come through for us, to be committed to us and rightly so, He says in Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

But what about our commitment to Him? Let’s face it. Oftentimes we start off the New Year with a renewed zeal. We are gung ho, whether our commitment is to a new eating plan, to exercise, to change an unhealthy lifestyle or to renew our commitment to Christ. We may even start the year with a fast, but what happens after the first month or two? Our enthusiasm and our commitment begin to wane. Why is that? We make plenty of excuses ranging from not enough time, which I believe is our biggest offender to I’m going to do it tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes.

Procrastination – did you know procrastination is a form of fear? Fear that you may not be able to whatever it is that you want to do, fear that you may not be as successful as you would like to be, so you put things off and sometimes don’t even attempt to do whatever it is. Sometimes our procrastination comes from fear of success. What if I’m successful? What happens next? Will I be able to keep it up? Will people find out I’m really a fraud. These are just the fiery darts the enemy uses to keep us from our destiny, from the exceedingly abundant life God has created for us. Have you ever closed your eyes and saw yourself doing everything you God has gifted you to do, or placed in your spirit that you can be? If you haven’t, I recommend that you do just that today.

Write the vision and make it plain. See yourself the way God sees you. He doesn’t see you as a failure. He doesn’t even see your sin. He sees you as the masterpiece He created you to be. Don’t allow the enemy within, your own thoughts, or the enemy without, the naysayers to sidetrack you from what God has for you. God wants you to have great expectations!

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IS IT THEM OR IS IT YOU?

How many of you expect people to behave the same way that you behave? How many of you have certain expectations of people or certain behaviors that you consider as suitable? I think we all have a few expectations when it comes to others. For example, if you are a hard worker you expect others to be hard workers. If you are happy go lucky, you expect other people to be happy go lucky. Sometimes it may be difficult to understand why other people’s thoughts, behaviors and values differ vastly from our own. But when our expectations are not met, are we not judging others? Are we not finding fault with others thoughts, behaviors and values because they differ from ours?

Just because someone does not agree with us, or their thoughts, behaviors and values differ from ours does not make them wrong and us right, or vice versa.

One definition of self-righteous reads

Confident of one's own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others. Ouch!

It may not be intentional, but sometimes our behaviors may be considered as self-righteous.

Each of us strive to walk in spirit, to exhibit the fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. However, our flesh as we know is enmity against our spirit and causes a war between the two.

Paul said in Romans 7:19-20 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

It’s the flesh, the carnal nature that is quick to act, to judge, to condemn, to think and speak things that are contrary to the truth, or the spirit.

James admonishes us in chapter 1 verse 19 to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Why does James say this? He says this because it’s the nature of our flesh to do just the opposite. Oftentimes we begin our rebuttal, our answer, or our solution while someone is still speaking. How can we hear if we are thinking about what we are going to say? Sometimes we speak without even thinking about what we are going to say. We just react without weighing our thoughts. Unfortunately our reaction at times may even be out of anger, because we have not been swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.

Do you count yourself among those that speak without knowing the entire situation? I think most of us do at some time. How could we not? Only God knows everything.

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Chosen

God has created each of us as individuals to make a contribution to the kingdom. If He had not chosen you, you would not be here. If you do not remember anything else, please remember this. I cannot say it enough. No one can do what you can do exactly the way that you can do it.

God created you for a specific purpose.

Each of us have our own journey in life, our own God given and God purposed assignments, gifts and talents. Our own portion.

What God has for you is for you and no man can take it away from you.

In 1 Samuel 16:6-7 we read  And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart. How often a judgement, a decision or a choice is made based solely on an outward appearance. I am so glad God knows each and every one of us. He selects us based on His knowledge of who He has chosen and created us to be. Samuel didn’t know anything about Eliab, but in his mind, or with his rationale, or carnal way of thinking, he just knew Eliab was God’s anointed. A decision based solely on his appearance.

It doesn’t matter what you, or anyone else sees in you. What matters is what God sees in you, what God says about you and what God knows about you.

You are Gods choice. You were not chosen by man, nor did you appoint yourself. The only qualification God is looking for is your faith, your obedience to His call. Your willingness to follow His path for your life, to go where He sends you and to do what He has chosen for you to do.

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Why Ask Why?

Have you ever asked God why me, or why now? Have you ever been so overwhelmed, bogged down or stressed out by things that were not your own doing, or perhaps they were your own doing, but either way you feel like you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth. God wants me to tell you to let go. When you feel like you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth, just let go. When you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth you are relying on your own strength and your own ability. When you let go, you are relying on Gods strength and His ability and we all know that He is able, more than able. He is more than capable. Whatever your situation, He knew you would be right where you are, as well as when you would be there. And He never allows you to be in a place where you are not under his mercy, grace and protection.

God wanted me to share these prophetic words with you.

“You are chosen for a purpose and everything that you go through is meant to strengthen you. Count it not strange, the things that you endure, for you are more than capable as I am with you to carry you through. You can, and you will make it through. Trust in Me and believe. I am always with you. It's all in My hands. I am the answer that you are searching for.”

Psalm 37:34 though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

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It's Not Just About You

As difficult as it may seem at the time that you are going through trials and tribulations, what I want you to understand, is that the trials and tribulations you encounter on your journey have a dual purpose. Part of the purpose is to strengthen and mature you and your relationship with Christ. The other part of Gods purpose is your testimony. Sharing your experience with others so they may be encouraged.

We must always remember that people are watching us. Everyone that is watching you is watching because of the Christ in you, but the motives people have for watching you may differ. Some may watch in awe because of your countenance, your peace, your joy, your faith, your strength. Others may watch because they are waiting for you to fall or fail. The enemy, usually unbeknownst to them is having his way in them, using them to wreak havoc.

As you continue on your journey and are faced with trials and tribulations, rather than think about yourself and what you are going through, think about how your testimony will help someone else, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Morning is when you see the light. When you recognize that whatever you are going through Jesus Christ is your hope.

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Wait On The Lord

Have you ever prayed for something then decided God was taking too long? Or, maybe God wasn’t doing things the way you wanted them to be done, so you decided to help him out.

Well, believe it or not, God never has and never will need our help.

Now I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I hear from God I want to see, and expect to see results immediately. As a matter of fact one day God said to me, you can be excited, but don’t be anxious. I guess He knows, well of course He does. He knows how I am. He knows that I can be impatient, and He wants me to learn to wait on Him.

Psalm 24:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Oftentimes the decisions we make are out of desperation. Our heart may be weakened from stress, or worry. We don’t know how a matter may turn out, we are concerned, so we act based on fear of the unknown rather than waiting on God.  

Psalm 37:34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

God will bring to pass what He has in store for us, and we will witness the demise, or ill will that may come to those that mock our belief in Him.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 49:23… and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

When we wait on God things will come to pass exactly the way He wants them to come to pass. We will not be ashamed, disappointed or embarrassed by the outcome that He has for us. We will be strengthen by our trust in God. We will persevere and we will prevail.

God’s plan is God’s plan. It doesn’t matter how we try to help him out or manipulate things. Lamentations 3:37 Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

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