The Believer’s Battle – Page 5

Your Stage Is Set (ii)

“Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them,and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more…”

1 Chronicles 17:9

I was reminded not too long ago by the Spirit that sometimes, we have to go back to crawling in faith before we can be suited to walk fearlessly in faith.

And I may not know the state of your affairs today, or how tired you really are from limping one day to the next to get to where you are going, but the Lord your God asked me to remind you today to remember the greatness of the One you serve.

You can wipe away your tears, or let them fall till there is none left, but God says joy is coming, and your faith will not be put to shame.

God did not need your help to place that unique greatness inside of you. He planted it there for a reason and it shall not wither and die by His grace.

There are no auditions or scripts needed to fill your divine place that God has set for you. So stop changing costumes everyday pretending to be what you are not to get to your stage.

He will fill your mouth with the words to utter, so stop practicing the language of the world to speak the wisdom of heaven.

He will gather your thoughts and grant you the wisdom for that next dimension. So stop borrowing ideas from lesser minds of man that try to compete with the Higher ways and thoughts of the El shaddai!

He will pour out new strength and power in your bones to awaken your body and spirit to continue your way to your stage. So stop running aimlessly seeking something that only the Lord of hosts can pour out from heaven.

God’s will be done!

And when you lose focus of that, close your eyes and ask again to see the wonders of the spiritual realm.

There, God will show you a glimpse of the world sitting, waiting anxiously for your arrival on your set stage. You will see your enemies scrambling because the lights of glory all around your stage are blinding to the eyes of wickedness. You will see that there is an open door leading to a stage light, centered by grace and mercy, and all you will have to do when the time comes, is to walk on your divine stage.

God is not man that HE should lie.

I pray that God continues to counsel you through each level of the passage to destiny. May God continue to lead you with His footsteps in your pathway and His merciful hands linked to yours, guiding you through that path in Jesus name. Amen.

Your Stage Is Set (i)

“And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck them, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict, so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.”

Jeremiah 31:28

For many of us, every day is a hustle. For many of us, every day is a battle. For many of us, every day is a struggle. For many of us, every day is a new problem. For many of us, everyday is a continuance of yesterday’s hustle, battle, struggle, and problem.

But God sent me to tell you that all of which you are combating today, to get to tomorrow, is only a passage to get to your stage which He has set for you.

Friend, your stage is already set!

The Almighty builder has built your own unique stage from nothing with His great hands. The Rain-maker has shifted the horizons and placed the sun in its position to shine on the day you wake up to walk on that very stage.

If you haven’t already, take a moment to read (or re-read) the scripture above. What a powerful word!

I was told to remind you today that God has always been, still is, and will always be in control. The King of all kings still sits on His Glorious throne, watching over you.

‘THE GREAT I AM,’ is still the only one with the power to pluck the bad seeds you have sewn through blindness and disobedience. HE is the great One that has broken down the strongholds and chains of the enemy over your life. HE has thrown down the mighty self-fulfilling pride that you didn’t even know you possessed. HE has destroyed the plots that has been intended to harm and destroy you.

In the same token,

The God who knows your beginning and your end and has promised to fill your house with wealth and riches, says HE has afflicted you so you can grow in your faith for His deliverance. HE says He is building you and has planted you where you are so when the time comes for your curtains to open, and the world to see the glory of God through you, you will be right on the stage that has already been predestined for you even before you were born! CONTINUE HERE.

Seek Ye First…(Part 1)

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?…Really think about it. These are moments of truth.

What is the first thing you do when you get to work? Who do you first check in with?

What is the first thing you do when you return home?…remember your answers carefully because we are about to examine what it is you really seek first. And I am sure the truth will shock you, as it did me.

If all three of your answers were anything other than you ‘seeking first the kingdom’, then friend, we both have some work to do.

Let’s really think and talk about it.

When you arise in the morning, do you not know that it was grace that kept life in your lungs and health in your body to rise to see the new mercy of a new day? Is it not so you can seek the kingdom yet another day?

When you get to your place of work, do you not know that God is indeed the ruler of all things? have you not been placed there by God to glorify Him for the position He alone has granted you? Could there not have been another in your place? Is it not so you can seek the kingdom through your words and deeds while He fulfills your needs by keeping your place at your job?

And when you return home safely in your abode, do you not know that it was still grace that kept you under God’s watchful eye, protecting your steps and movements throughout your day’s journeys? Is it not so you can seek the kingdom in thanksgiving for the completion of yet another day?

Bottom-line, if grace and mercy in God’s kingdom agenda did not have you in it, why else would you be alive when you could have been long gone or worse, alive, but living as though you were dead?

I wonder how much burdens we’d be giving up in return for fullness of strength and faith if we sought God’s kingdom first rather than worldly treasures.

If we sought the kingdom rather than our own thrown of power, if we first sought the kingdom, how different would our walk in purpose be? How easy would life be if we were capable of truly believing God for what HE already promised us as His children?

If we could completely trust our Maker, the Author and Finisher of our life’s race, that all things, not some, but all the things we seek will surely be added to us, how joyous and fulfilling would our journey be?

I mean, consider all the effort you and I put into sustaining our friendships and our social settings. Consider all the time we put into going into events and fulfilling work-mandated obligations. What do we really seek when we do these things?

Do we daily seek love, wisdom, compassion, harmony, truth, justice, forgiveness, and kindness? Or do we seek a paycheck and companionship to last us enough till the next best thing comes around?

Yet, we complain and wonder why we are not basking in the riches and wealth that the Word promise us.

I mean, God is not man that HE should lie. Are we not the ones who are yet to commit to living in complete truth? CONTINUE READING HERE.

Seek Ye First…(Part 2)

“Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.”

Psalm 40:16

We seek the success among peers. We seek leadership and influence. We seek fruitfulness and productivity. We seek loyalty in our friendships and families. We seek money, nice cars, and homes. We seek fame and popularity. We seek titles and acclaimed positions. We seek peace and happiness. We seek validation from a world that turns its back on the Word.

And truth be told, there is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with wanting the best of everything. We ought to want the best, for ‘Great is He that lives in you.’ God did not create us with greatness so we can settle for small things or small places. It is HIS will to enlarge our territory so HE can get the glory.

But He does command that we seek first HIS kingdom above all things.

You and I have a grace that money, gold or silver could never buy. The blood of Christ purchased grace. Is there a supplement for the blood of Christ?

Friend, don’t you know that you could never buy your way into the kingdom?!

There is nothing, absolutely nothing that you need that the Lord your God would ever withhold from you. So why are you so convicted by empty wants that you fail to glorify God by seeking everything else first before the kingdom?

IS GOD YOUR FIRST OR LAST CALL?

Friend, what do you seek with your life today? What have you been searching helplessly for with your own knowledge and not God’s wisdom? And where does the search for God’s kingdom fit in?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first in that intimate relationship?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first in that job?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first on that project?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first in that end you are relentlessly chasing?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first in that friendship?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first on that road you’re confidently passing through?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first in your marriage?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first when you raise your children, your nephew, your niece, your cousin?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first in you family relations?

Are you seeking God’s kingdom first in your dreams and ambitions?

Everything. Everything must glorify your Maker and His divine plan. There is no way around God’s purpose. HE IS THE ‘I AM THAT I AM.” You cannot leave anything out and claim that you are truly seeking the kingdom first.

Believe me, I know it is hard, and feels even gruesome at times, to drop everything else and look to God. To stop all ways of former living, and seek the kingdom in total surrender to the One who strengthens us.

I am praying fervently for you, for your purpose and mine. You are important to the kingdom. And I speak truth into your life today, that the Lord of Hosts who has gracefully endowed you and me, will redirect your steps, rearrange your steps, and confirm your will into His, to seek first the kingdom in Jesus name. Amen.

Lord Keep My Eye On You

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”

1 Chronicles 16:11

If you are like me, finding grace in the sight of God to know Him in another realm than before, has got a hold of you in ways you never imagined. But it is such an amazing hold; one that you could never be pure enough to hold onto but graceful enough to never lose.

But the thing is, as life goes on and you start to see things from this new dimension, you realize just how lost you have been when your focus was on other things or other people than God alone. If not for grace…

As more time passes and trials and tests arise, it gets even harder and even more necessary to keep your eyes on God.

The world is so busy. Everything is moving all around us in such a fast pace, that we long to catch a breath but wouldn’t dare in fear of missing something. We get distracted.

We get distracted by the weights of our pending bills, sick loved ones, discomforting relationships, demanding careers, confused missions of purpose, and ultimately how fast time is passing. We hope and pray that we are still on track for destiny.

How easy is it to be side-tracked by the many distresses of this world?

It’s one thing to miss the beauty in this world, but it’s another to miss God altogether. And I wonder if the enemy is using your very own flesh to tempt you away from the courts of glory by taking your eyes off of God.

So many of us, in our worry have not only lost sight of purpose, but have lost sight of the Most High.

Friend, how do you keep from losing sight of purpose? How do you keep from losing hope of what is greater? How do you keep the faith and the strength? Is your eye still on God?

Do you still look to Him to counsel you through your chaos and confusion? Do you still look to Him to do what appears impossible? Do you still look to Him because He is able? Do you still look to Him to speak into your life choices? Do you still look to Him to fix what is broken? Do you still look to Him to make a way? Do you still look to Him to examine your ways? Do you still look to Him to be the judge? Do you still look to God to do what only He can do?

IS. YOUR. EYE. ON. GOD?

There is no other way, none, whatsoever than to keep your eye on the One who is still in control.

You do still believe that don’t you? You do still know that He who never sleeps, is still in control?

No matter what it looks like, no matter what it feels like, or what it even seems like, I urge you today to keep your eye on God. I pray for you, for me, that our merciful Father who knows all and sees all will grant us the faith we need to keep our eyes on Him. As we make our way to destiny, may we never lose sight of His greatness and glory in Jesus name. Amen.

Running From The Pursuit

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Proverbs 28:1

What are you running from? And where in the world are you running to?!

That is the question propelled by the Spirit today.

It’s ironic how much conviction is in the scripture above. Anyone who has ever seen a restless man, always running from here to there, and then to another place, understands what is means to be pursued by something or to be the one in pursuit of something.

This is the restless generation. I wonder if we’ll ever stop to realize that what we are running from, is exactly what we need to save us from what we are running towards. We are running restlessly from the pursuit. The pursuit of God.

How can the GOD of all creations be pursuing anyone?! Shouldn’t we be the one pursuing HIM?!

As undeserving as you may think or know you are, God still loves you. HE wants to catch you before you fall. Before that wide road you are running blindly towards, becomes a dead-end and encloses with you in it, God wants to wrap you in HIS loving arms and guide you to the road that leads to your divine purpose.

Is that so horrible?

Proverbs 13 vs 21 states,

Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

If you are like me, you know how scary the thought of giving your all to God is. Not one part of you would be left for the world to consume. It would all belong to HIM. Funny enough, HE created you. you belong to God anyway.

Your mind, body, soul, in abandon for your Maker to do with it as HE sees fit! WHAT ELSE WOULD SCARE YOU INTO RUNNING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION?!

You would probably have to give up the dating, and the ‘hook-ups,’ the drunkenness, the wild life, the bad attitude, the pride, the gossip, the flashy lifestyle, the running mouth, and the attitude! And that would only be the easiest of what you have to surrender.

For some, it will be the very plush cars, homes, good-paying job, and the steady pay-checks!

Did these things not cost you something? Do they not cost something to keep?

But the Spirit is already been paid for in full. God placed it in you to mark what’s HIS. Do you not realize that the spirit is God’s own connection to what belongs to HIM? As long as you have the spirit of God in you, HE will always pursue you to come back home into His all-knowing wisdom and comfort.

Friend, you need to realize today that your surrender is your freedom!

I pray for you. May the Spirit halt your running today. May you stop and listen to the voice calling after you, the only voice whose words will never deceive you. May you heed the call to amazing grace today in Jesus name. Amen.

You Are In It, Not Of It

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?…”

Matthew 16:26

I visited my family back in New York for two weeks. And what a world of difference.

God is so intentional in the sight He grants us to see a familiar place through unfamiliar lenses, making what we see appear so unfamiliar.

I walked, talked, and dined with good friends I have known and grown to love over the years. But there was a change in me that only God and I knew.

From the conversations I shared with my own brother-in-law, to the conversation I overheard walking to and from the train stations, the chosen, the uninformed, the mislead, we were all bunched up in this place of strive and struggle trying to find a grip on what it is that purpose is supposed to be.

READ “ASK YOUR MAKER!”

We befriend, fall in love, make love, make babies, work, pay bills, and pray to live to do it all over again the next day, the next week, and maybe the next 20 years. This world really has a hold, a stronghold on so many souls.

If we all knew the royalty that God placed on us, in us, through the blood of His only Son, would we fight so hard to live a life that led to death? Would we strive so hard to earn what’s not ours to keep? Would we yearn and desire for titles that misplaced our real name as sons and daughters of the King?

I saw it first hand for the first time in a very long time, on the hardworking platforms of New York’s glorious subway, the tiredness, the restlessness, the battle to get to that job, that position that they created, that place that requires so much time, effort, and sleeplessness.

I wonder if we ever consider what God really has planned for us as His children.

Do we ever spend the day wondering if God intended on His children to move about, lost without direction? Or tired because of the never-ending, restless journey towards the same dead-end direction?

So many of my friends I see aiming for the next secure job, with all the benefits, as long as they dedicate all the necessary hours and time. Even closer loved ones…

I ask God, why?

Why cant’t ALL His children see that it all means nothing if there is no time to give Him the Maker the glory, honor, and worship?

I asked God why we are so caught up, tangled, and in bondage, over chasing money and things that CANNOT buy us our place in the kingdom!

Why are we living in this world, suffering through the ills of it, forgetting that there is a Mansion, a divine reservation with our name on it?

Why God?! Why can’t we all see that we are only in this world but not of it?!.

His will be done in Jesus name!

In this moment, this destined moment, I lift up a prayer for me, for you, that the Lord of Hosts, in His infinite perfection, redirect our goals, our lives, our minds, our hearts towards Him in Jesus name! May strongholds of this world be broken through the power of the Living God in Jesus name! May deliverance from temptation and destruction permeate through the wounds and souls of God’s children in the name of Jesus! May Purpose, meaning, and promise be reawakened in Jesus name! Amen.