trust – My Grace Untold

Failing Forward

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…?

2 Corinthians 13:5

Failure is one of the most powerful words ever concocted by us. It’s a state of being we generally try to avoid at all cost, yet it is an inevitable destination that we must all pass through at some point in our lives.

One of the coolest aspects of growing up, and actually maturing in wisdom as we grow, is that old words begin to take on new meaning.

I know for me, and a whole lot of people I personally know, failure is an heavy weight to carry. Whether you have it in you to get back up again and try again in Faith of the One who is leading you, (or who should be leading you) is what sets each person apart from the next.

Friend, the Lord says it is time to fail forward.

This past weekend was one of the two greatest celebrations known to every believer. I am referring to the Resurrection of our Savior. The birth of Christ our Lord is the other.

Before resurrection, even the disciples who were closest to Christ wallowed in what they believed was failure. They mourned the murder and crucifixion of the only Perfect One that ever walked the earth. The innocence of Christ was mocked, and assaulted.

I mean, here they were, aligned with Jesus, preaching the gospel, healing the sick, saving souls, and yet, Christ was killed.

Can you imagine the weight of failure that they each felt?!!!

And if we want to single out one particular individual who could have drowned in his state of failure, consider Peter. Christ’s beloved right hand man, who denied the Lord on three different occasions! Peter swore he would be loyal in the face of adversity, he thought he would succeed being true to Christ, he thought he would never turn his back on his Friend, but he did. Peter failed…at least so he thought.

Then Christ rose again!

The Truth was resurrected in Christ and the disciples actually failed forward. They believed in His resurrection, got back up and preached the gospel of that resurrection power in Christ our Lord!

Friend, it’s our turn to fail forward.

Whatever it looked like, whatever it still feels like, failure is not where you end. In fact, just like the resurrection of Christ was the beginning of belief for those who doubted, your failure is a beginning for you because the same power that resurrected JESUS CHRIST, is in YOU!!!

By His stripes you are healed. Christ suffered all the way to the cross. He had to die and be risen all so you can accomplish the very glory that this failure is trying to keep you from.

We must have tests during this life. Your failure is just another test of your faith! If you believe in the resurrection as I know you do, then you have got to start believing in failing forward because God is still in control. God says ‘you shall live and not die!’ Prosperity is where you will dwell, but you must keep failing forward.

Wherever you think you have fallen short, the grace of God is more than enough to restore the chance you thought you lost, the life you thought you’d never had. We know it because Christ rose again. Because of the resurrection, victory is ours. Because of the resurrection we have already won. Your failure is only a test to get you to your win.

By the power of God, you will fail forward and you will go from faith to faith and glory to glory in the Living name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Climb Is Not In The Ladder, It’s In You

“Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.”

Deuteronomy 33:25

“Moving up the ladder,” is a well-known phrase in today’s world of strive and determination. But as a child of God, would you believe me if I told you that the climb is not in the ladder, but in you?

We were not all created to start our own businesses and be our own bosses, but every single one of God’s children has greatness coursing through their blood. God has given both you and I our own individual greatness in which we are to shine through to the world for the glory of our Father in heaven.

So how come the only way we often see to make it to the highest heights (that God has promised), is by climbing on an invisible man-made ladder, rank, or level?

Don’t you know that the greatness is not in the ladder but in you? What have you sacrificed to climb man’s ladder?

I mean what happens if the ladder breaks or malfunctions? what makes you so sure that the ladder can ever hold the weight of all that you are called to be?!

In other words, man’s promises and strategies have no stand against the certainty of God’s will. The saying in this context might only refer to a ladder, but as many of us know, there are many other ways that man will try to convince you to reach the height of success. The temptations are indeed many. Yet it is God who promises in Job chpt 8 vs 7 that,

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.”

The Spirit says God is with you wherever you are, and wherever you go and He who put a great work in you shall surely fulfill it! God does not need anyone’s help for HE is God alone and HE alone is God!

So, is your trust in man and the ladder that man has built? Or is your trust in the Most High God who has given you the gift or talent in the first place?

I wonder how many of us are waiting in line to climb up a ladder to get to where we are going, not realizing that the climb is not in the ladder but in us.

If it is God’s will for you to walk to your great height of destiny, do you really need that ladder after all? And if God gives you the wings to soar to your great height of purpose, what is the use of that ladder?

Man cannot determine how far you will go and when you will get there. That power and glory belongs to the One God who created you for great things!

I pray for you and I that we may be encouraged by grace to trust in only One Master who has our destiny in the palm of his hands. May God grant us the patience, humility, understanding, and obedience to wait for HIS time and His way to get us to where we are going in Jesus name. Amen.

Is God Your First Or Last Call?

“Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?”

Job 5:1

This word first came to me last week when I heard a sermon by Bishop T.D. Jakes. God bless His messengers all over the world! Then it came again to me by another through bible study. God is so thorough.

I remember as a child, when a stranger approached you, you know to turn towards your mother, or father, or guardian that you were familiar with. Or if a person gave you some sort of gift or present, you went to a guardian first to show them before proceeding to open it or keep it or what have you. That was my story at least.

As you grow up, you become a little more independent, trusting more and more in your own wisdom and authority. Sadly, many of us have gotten ‘too grown’ to call on our Father first before taking a step in a direction.

Friend, the Spirit told me to ask you today, “Is God your first or last call?”

I can think of one too many people I know that try to keep God in the backseat while they drive their own worldly desires. They count on their own wisdom and knowledge and fail to check in with the Maker of their destiny. It’s as though we rely on our own understanding until…

When that opportunity, or friendship, or courtship, is first presented to us, the idea of what could be based on our own sight, is often good enough to accept what is brought to us. Unknowingly, the road ahead is a dead-end. Unknowingly, the dream promised is a nightmare. Unknowingly, the friendship offered is motivated by mischief…God could have told us that. If we first called Him who knows all…but we don’t.

See the thing about many believers and disciples, is that we sometimes forget that He who is, was, and is to come, is the beginning and the end. God knows the bad breaks ahead even before we embark on the path. And I can’t help but wonder if we too, would be blessed to walk in the wisdom of God if only we call Him first. Ask Him first. Consult Him first!

I thank God for His mercy and grace that nothing we could ever do or say counts us out from God’s own divine purpose.

But friend, I can’t help but wonder what glory you and I continue to miss as we fail to call God first. Why is God our last option, not our first? Why are we so eager to talk to this one, and that one, and ask for guidance from this person, then that person, but not God first?!

Is He not the Maker of heaven and earth?!

Is He not the ‘Great I am?’!

Is He not the author and finisher of our race?!

Is He not GOD?!!!

So why is GOD our last call? Why should things be chaotic or miserable before we call on our heavenly Father?

I wonder if the blessings that God promised would pour down like rain if we call Him first before we say ‘Yes’ to any other. The word in Matthew 6 vs 33, says,

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” with emphasis on FIRST.

I know as one in a place of solitude that seeking God first is a must for anyone who wants to see the fullness of God in His glory. And I understand the temptations all around us. Believe me, I get it. But the thing about that, is that the enemy gets it to.

And one might think that the subtle little steps we take towards our ambition does not have to be based on God. But I am here to remind you that it does. EVERYTHING you do has to do with HIM who gave you life to do it!

I pray to God in His All-knowing, All-capable wisdom, to grant us the understanding we crave to walk closer to Him and with Him to receive all that has been prepared for us by the Creator in Jesus name. Amen.