The Believer’s Battle – Page 2

I Dare You To Doubt Your Doubts

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:9

We know that the enemy lives in our doubts, fears and uncertainties because God did not give us the spirit or fear.

As believers, we are affirmed by the word of God that lets us know that we’ve indeed been given the grace and power to release and reject fear or doubt when it comes.

So why don’t we?

Everything that is happening in my journey right now was shown to me in a vision several months ago. I believed but still I doubted.

Although I did not doubt the Holy One who gave me the vision, I doubted the power of the sight that saw it. I doubted my ability to see so clearly in the realm of God’s glory to believe that what I saw already was, thus I needed to believe in its manifestation here on earth.

Friend, I dare you to doubt your doubts.

I could never have imagined a few years back that my fragile feet could move so confidently and become accustomed to a path of purpose and promise.

As ordered by our Father in heaven, we are to walk by faith and not by sight. I thank God for the testimony of my lips that my faith has been rewarded by the manifestation before me.

Often times, because we fail to put on the whole armor of God, we are unable to resist the lies of the adversary. Doubt in the word of God is a fruit of the enemy’s lying seed. I dare you to abort that seed of doubt today!

Do you not remember that God is not man that He would lie?!

Whatever the Lord has promised, whatever word that has come forth from His Holy lips can never go void because it must accomplish that which it was said to do by the Creator of heaven and earth!

We are believers. We are the children of the most High God who lives in truth and Holiness. If HE said it, it is already done! So why are you still cradling your doubt? Why are you still sleeping with fear and residing with uncertainty?

Do you not know that resisting the enemy is what will make him flee?

I am reminding you today that just like you, I too have suffered greatly from the doubts that overwhelm my soul about the promises over my life.

I too have fallen short and stumbled in disbelief in my walk with God, but I give Him glory for the grace to rise again, to stand firm in faith again, to resist fear again, to dare to believe again, and to press toward that which is ahead.

Friend, I dare you to doubt your doubts today. I dare you to look that lying spirit in the eye and cast it down for it dares to exalt itself above your knowledge of a faithful God.

I pray for you and I. May the Lord above grant us the courage to come boldly before the throne of grace and to receive the fullness of His glorious promises in Jesus name. Amen.

You Are Not The Potter, You Are His Witness – part II

“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Isaiah 64 : 8

Indeed the awareness of these crooked things around you is no mistake. God purposed it that way.

See, we often forget that we are not called to judge one another according to our own understanding, but rather pray for those we see stumbling in one way or another.

When the Lord calls for us to discern between what is right in His sight and what is not, we often confuse that as the permission to use what higher things we know to condemn those who are yet to come into higher wisdom.

Friend, we are not given the wisdom to condemn but rather to add more to our own faith in the Lord and to believe that there is power of renewal in our tongues when we intercede in prayer for one another.

You see the spiritual need. Pray about it for your brother or sister in Christ. Is this too not part of our calling as the body of the Living Christ?

Is this not what it means to be a witness?

If we, being called by HIS Name, humble ourselves, and pray, would we not see God renew the minds of the ones that seem harder to reach by the Word?

We are all works of God’s mighty and all-knowing hands, so how is it possible that we condemn anyone when we ourselves are still being molded?

Friend, we are not the Potter, we are His clay, and we are also His witness.

Even as I recounted my discernment to closed ones, I heard the Spirit remind me to choose my words carefully as not to condemn another work of God’s hand regardless of what HE has shown me about them.

I am extending this message to you too today.

How carefully do you choose your words when you rightfully discern between what is right and wrong among God’s people? Are you speaking from your own knowledge or the wisdom of heaven?

Indeed the challenges of the kingdom in us, are many, but I thank God for a willing heart of obedience. I trust that HE that started a good work in every one of us will faithfully bring it to completion.

As we are steered in a new direction by the Shepherd, may our minds, hearts, spirits, and tongues be renewed with love and hope in Jesus name. May we be enabled to bless each other and intercede for one another. May we not cause each other to sin or stumble, but rather reach out our hands to lift each other up in prayer and kindness in Jesus name. Amen.

You Are Not The Potter, You Are His Witness – part I

“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Isaiah 64 : 8

We serve a strategic God. God is so intentional in the things He calls your attention to and how. Recently, I felt the Lord steer me into a new direction and a new place of gathering to further fuel my passion for His word and His purpose in me.

At first, I was unaware of the strange budding feelings about my intimate surroundings, then one night, when it was time for the veil to be removed completely, the Lord revealed as only HE Can.

Friend, do you remember that we are not the Potter, but we are HIS clay? How often do you forget that you are called to witness HIS moldings rather than be caught up trying to forcefully mold others?

Often times as believers, we feel compelled to mold or in influence those around us to seek God a certain way or pursue after purpose a certain way, to discard their evil ways and renew their minds and hearts according to the word of God, often times, it is to no avail.

I never forget that I too once missed God’s bigger picture. Thank God for grace.

I know this to be so because I know now more than ever that there is only One Potter. There is Only One God, and HE alone is in control of the lives HE is molding.

Before I arrived at the crossroads of departing from a setting that has become dear to my heart, I had to first conquer the struggle within me, one that many of us often battle with, judging our fellow brothers and sisters in what we believe is their lack of faithfulness to a faithful God.

We often perceive the ways of others as an hindrance to our growth in the spirit, often concluding that their lack of deeper pursuit for the deeper things of God is what is causing the strange feelings in our Spirit when we get around them.

But the Spirit of the Lord is reminding us today, that we are not The Potter, we are HIS witness. FINISH READING HERE

It’s Not Falling Apart, It’s Falling Into Place

“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

1 Corinthians 14:40

The word in Proverbs chpt 20 vs 24 reminds us that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. In some translations, it states that the Lord directs the steps of a person. But what if the direction of God looks more confusing than the one that you are familiar with?

But then again, what if we are stuck looking at a new realm with old sight?

More and more this season, I have been faced with rising conflicts from within and the outside concerning the way in which I am to move according to word that God spoke to me a few months ago. Admittedly, I have fought harder than ever in this past year to see past blurry visions.

Many of my brothers and sisters in the Lord are in a season of tiredness. Many of them are tired of being still, tired of being patient, tired of believing and hoping for that which is near, but yet so far, tired of fighting the spiritual wars against the spirit of doubt, and many are just tired of being tired.

Where it seemed like one thing, it has turned out to be another. What looked like a promise from God has turned out to be yet another test of patience, and I see faith fighting.

And on the other hand, I see idols crashing down in front of God’s children. I see things being snatched out of the hands of those who have clung to the things of the world rather than our jealous God. Indeed, many things are falling apart because they need to be broken apart and broken through to make ways for the things of God!

Still I am compelled to remind you that it is not falling apart, but rather, falling into place.

Sacrifices are being made, heavy tears are being shed, and broken, confused hearts are being remolded yet again in this season of discipline, and I hear the Lord saying loud and clear, “Just Trust ME.”

Friend, do you hear your Father’s voice amidst all those other voices?

Can you hear the words of a faithful God, that says, “TRUST ME. I AM STILL ON THE THRONE. I CALLED YOU. I FORMED YOU. I KNOW YOU. …AND I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU.”

No I don’t know exactly what you are burdened by, but I do know the pain and anguish of seeing things fall apart in front of you, and fight to still believe that it is falling into place from the perspective of Heaven.

Heaven says that God is still in control. HE still reigns, and HE holds you in the palm of His mighty Hand! You serve a God of “suddenly,” ONE that has never failed, and is always on time.

HIS will be done in Jesus name!

Know that I am praying for you.

May your mind be renewed by this word in Jesus name. May your thoughts and whole being be overwhelmed by the goodness and promises of a faithful God. May you be giving the reassurance from above that it is not falling apart but falling to place as designed by the Most High God in Jesus name. Amen.

When You Can Reach, but Can’t Touch

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:15

I am surrounded by faithfulness.

All around me, I see the faithfulness of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, pressing forth towards that which is ahead, that which the Lord has called them to, but the reach is painful.

I see the pain, the struggle, and the burdens of God’s people and I am moved to compassion by the current atmosphere of agony in the individual stretch toward destiny.

We are all reaching for that which we cannot yet touch.

In this season, the Lord is reviving HIS children, opening our eyes, ears, and hearts, as HE calls us yet higher to another realm of glory.

Friend, this is the stretch.

Right now, our faith is being stretched. Our patience is being stretched. Our discipline is stretching. Our hope is stretching. Our zeal is expanding, and our strength too is being stretched. All are called but few are chosen because of the stretch.

I thank God for the grace that HE has given you and I to continue to keep on keeping on in this path to purpose.

It hurts. It is uncomfortable. But it is necessary.

The kingdom of God is a tribe of warriors, and in this season, in this state of vulnerability, we may feel shackled by the hope to touch destiny’s tail sooner rather than later, but I am here to remind you that what is waiting on the other side of your current trial is so much bigger than the discomfort of the moment.

There is a stretch going on inside you and all around you for the sake of purpose. God is shaking all that can be shaken so you know that only HIS WORD can stand amidst the many distractions and disruptions of the world.

Because you stand on the ETERNAL ROCK OF AGES that is the “GREAT I AM,” you will not fall in Jesus name. Your faith is being multiplied even in these moments of tiredness and groan. Even as we are crawling in faith, HE sees it all because HE ordained it all.

We are reminded in Hebrews chpt 4 vs 13 that,

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

Friend, don’t you know we are prisoners of hope?! We have to be! We have to abide in the hope that He that started a good work in us will bring it to completion. God will never give up on you, so I urge you to not give up on God, nor the purpose He has you reaching towards – the one you see in your reach, but still cannot touch.

I pray for you as I pray for me too, that we receive the clarity and direction of this season. I pray that our Father in heaven grants us brave hearts to continue in our worship even in what feels like weariness for the sake of purpose. May we be strengthened again, may we be encouraged again, and may we once again feel the fresh drops of anointing from heaven on our heads all the way down to our spirits. May our flame for God and His kingdom in us, be rekindled by the fire of heaven in Jesus name! Amen!

Living With A Redeemed Heart

“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”

Exodus 15:13

It is easier to love God than it is to be a Christian.

I once thought that being a Christian started and ended with loving the Lord. I know now that those that are called by the Most High are called to love others as well. As stated by Christ, these are the greatest commandments.

So how come religion and being religious always trumps sustaining a redeemed heart and spirit?

I know that since I received the grace of the Lord through baptism, I have been overwhelmed by the awe of mercy. A heart of redemption reminds me that HE saved even a wretch like me and called me to be used for His purpose.

My redeemed heart is uplifted each day by the sweet- tasting, everlasting word of our Father in heaven.

Like I said, it’s easy to love the One who gave me His Only Son, the One who died for me to set me free from the strongholds of this passing world, the One who formed me and called me by my name. Loving the Lord is easy to do because I can never forget that HE made something out of nothing.

But whenever a person or thing challenges my ability to love others, I am forced to remember that being a Christian has more to do with living with a redeemed heart than having a religious life.

Religiosity portrays an ordered life of rituals in the name of the Lord. Religion demands that you separate those you sinfully judge from yourself, failing to reach out and touch the hearts of the broken and lost.

Friend, religion is not redemption.

Christ did not die on the cross simply for us to show up for church services or pretentiously be in one accord with our brothers and sisters in the Lord in face value. The Lord looks at our heart.

The heart of the redeemed also lives in oneness with the Lord in private, not just in public. It is not about what people see, but what the Lord sees. Truth is, the glory of the Lord should never be stifled by closed doors, nor should it be publicly displayed as a just a show to others. If we recall, Christ rebuked the priests back then for this sin against God.

A redeemed heart reverences God in truth and humble adoration.

Friend, living redeemed is what being a Christian is truly about. Thus, the heart of the redeemed mandates the love of others and forgiveness of others as God loved and forgave us.

Even God knows that it isn’t easy. That is why we were given the Holy Spirit. That is why we are encouraged to abide in Christ who is love. HE was sent out of God’s love for you and me. HE was sacrificed for love. HE was also resurrected for love.

I believe that it is when we cling to these truths, that we are able to live with a redeemed heart, forsaking all other ways of life and following the guidance of God to His Holy dwelling. Then our lives can become a true reflection of what God has done on the inside, for the outside world to see.

In prayer, I am striving with you to live redeemed as God called us, I pray today for a renewal of mind and right spirit. May we encouraged and strengthened by the Lord to live with a redeemed heart in Jesus name. Amen.

“God First”…Is HE Really? – part II

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Deuteronomy 4:29

Putting God first takes complete surrender. Putting Him first means putting your thoughts second to His for His ways are so much higher. The wisdom of the creator trumps everything we think we know. HE IS GOD!

Friend, can you imagine how different our lives would be if we actually did allow God His rightful place in our heart, mind, and soul? Can you imagine the transformation that would take place if we give God His due honor and let Him come FIRST?!

I rebuke that spirit that says it is impossible. I cast down that high thing that dares to question the possibility of God being first in our lives in Jesus name! I know that it can be done because the blood of Christ made it possible! We are not righteous by our own strength or might but by the grace offered to us on that sacred cross.

No it’s not easy. It won’t be easy, but it should not have to be easy before we obey. His will be done in Jesus name.

If it was impossible for us to love and obey God with everything we have and to put Him FIRST in everything, HE would not have commanded us to do so through His Word.

I urge you today to consider ALL your ways as I am considering mine too. May the Lord grant us the courage to discard our disobedience and to heed His word. May God help us to cast away all our doubts and fears so we may surrender completely and put him FIRST in all things in Jesus name. Amen.

“God First”…Is HE Really? – part I

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Deuteronomy 4:29

“God first.” That’s a saying I have uttered more times than I could ever count. It’s also a statement I have heard more than enough believers say as often as necessary. You are probably one who has said it too.

But Is God really first? Does God really come before any and everything else?

Do your thoughts, your words, your deeds, your attitudes, your behaviors, your friendships and alliances, your job, your career, your lifestyle, and all that encompass your individual air, all put God first?

Or does God just come first when you feel the world needs to hear a believer say, “God first?”

Do we even really know what it means?

Friend, if you are like me, you acknowledge that God wants to be in EVERYTHING we do. God wants to ALWAYS lead us EVERYWHERE we go. So why do we struggle to practice what we so boldly preach?

The word of God is indeed light to our path, but what light or illusion of light leads us when we are not actively living on the WORD that says to put God first?

Before the amazing grace that opened my sight to see the light through the eyes of the Savior, I too in an absent mind professed that God was first. I professed that God was priority over everything else in my life. I know now that my words could not have been farther from the truth.

The truth was, I wanted God to be first. I also wanted to be in control of my life. I wanted God to always lead and for nothing or anyone to hinder my intimacy with our heavenly Father. I also wanted the alluring enjoyment of worldly pleasures that looked too good on the outside to ignore. I thank God for His grace and wisdom to surrender.

FINISH READING HERE

When Stars Become Idols

“You shall have no other gods before Me… For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God”

Exodus 20:3-5

At 12 and 13, the wisdom of discernment is often not cemented by the teachings of your youth in the House of God.

I remember the young craze for my favorite idol on American Idol. Then it was just a show about singing hopefuls who longed to be stars, and eventually with the help of voters became stars.

What never occurred to me was how these aspiring musicians did receive worship and honor by the millions of audiences all over the world. They indeed were American idols.

I wonder if like me, with what you know now of the Lord, if that idea in itself, as entertaining, and supposedly harmless as it seemed, introduced an awe and reverence for something or someone else aside from God Almighty. Or is that ‘too extreme’ to consider?

Fast forward to over a decade later, the historical show may have seen its last season, but the legacy of stars being worshipped did not begin with American Idol, thus it didn’t end when the show ended either.

Before, a person was highlighted for achieving something significant, reaching a milestone in their career, or doing something heroic. Now, a star or rising star is often worshipped by the magazines and social media for irrelevant public stunts or who they are copulating with and romancing.

Everywhere you look, there is a celebrity being worshipped, hailed, and celebrated for simply breathing. The Kardashians may be the most popular reality TV stars our generation has ever seen just for being.

Friend, when did stars become idols in our eyes?

Or does it not relate to you?

I for one remember a season not too long ago when the Lord called me to be in solitude and showed me the errors of my mind.

“All hail Queen Bee!” “Long lives the King of Pop!” Yes, I loved MJ and Beyonce. I was in company with friends who greatly favored popular musicians like them. Every album had to be downloaded, whether I enjoyed the songs or not, it wasn’t about the music, it was about the star! I blogged about them, I researched about them, and even aspired to be like them.

At one point, it was my job in a social media internship to know everything new that was happening with today’s ‘celebrities’!

Do you know how much time, effort, and dedication goes into the gossip columns and celebrity news that you long to hear about each day?!!!

When friend, did that star, that thing, that job, become your idol?

I have witnessed many close to me follow the journey of one successful person after another, misplacing the inspiration they feel with a form of idolatry they don’t even realize. Somehow along the line of appreciating talent and skill in man, we forget to guard that place where we love GOD with all of our heart, all of our mind, and all of our soul.

I believe it’s time for us to take inventory and consider our ways. I mean, a true introspection that leads to discovery.

What or whom have you been worshiping rather than God?

What or whom has been occupying your mind and heart in place of your Most High Father who calls you His beloved?

Yes, ideas and goals can be the idols too. Yes, that relationship or friendship can be the idol too.

Forgive us O Lord for not loving you as we should. Forgive us O Lord for not honoring you as we should. Forgive us O Lord for putting anything and anyone before You over and over again. Father please forgive us. Show us the error of our ways Lord. May the Lord open our eyes today, and our hearts be renewed with the right Spirit. May we begin to walk in truth and give all the honor and adoration to WHOM it belongs in Jesus name. AMEN.

WHEN IT ALL BEGAN – READ THE VERY FIRST MESSAGE HERE!

The Discipline In Discipleship – (II)

“Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me…”

Matthew 4:9

How can we ever gain the wisdom of an all-knowing Father who has called us to come higher to be closer to Him in worship and obedience, if we do not follow that which HE commands?

How can we profess loving God when we fail to love ourselves much less others?

How do we believe in the purity and holiness of God but pollute and defile our bodies, which HE claims as HIS temple?

Indeed many people can quote the scriptures. Some believers can recite full chapters of the Word. Some can even teach it in a sermon to others. But if none is seen following that which they preach, what good is the Word to the ones who are yet to believe?

It takes discipline to follow the Word of God, not just believe in it.

It takes discipline to stay faithful and in prayer even when, especially when, nothing looks the way it ought to according to the promises of God.

It takes discipline to speak life and love when strife and anger threaten to cause our tongues to sin.

It takes discipline to make time to spend with the Lord in intimacy and worship DAILY.

It takes discipline to pray for those who curse and mock us.

It takes discipline to stay in hope and press on toward the blessing when life’s troubles overwhelm our spirit.

It takes discipline to pick up the full armor of God along with our cross of purpose.

It takes discipline to ALWAYS live in truth by the word of God.

It takes discipline to keep our eyes on the Lord even when our minds stray in distraction to the issues around us.

Friend, there is discipline in discipleship.

I imagine that God is intentional in His demand for our discipline all through the book of Proverbs. Discipline retains wisdom. Discipline helps you stay quiet when rash words threaten to spill from you in impulsion.

Discipline teaches us to be patient and not allow our emotions the permission to take over every situation.

Discipline keeps you grounded in the walk of faith. Trust me, I am living it. And no, it was not always easy. But I thank God for a willing heart that surrenders obediently to the will of the One who called us to follow HIM.

I urge you today to take inventory and to consider your ways as a believer, as a child of God, and as one who has been called for the glory of God’s kingdom.

May God grant us the courage and the brave heart to not only believe Him for His word, but may we be enabled by the grace of heaven to follow God’s own word according to His will in Jesus name. Amen.