"Beware of the Lion"

Going into a new year can be so exciting, we can sometimes make the mistake of sharing our visions and dreams with everyone. What’s meant for you is for you; it's not always for your friends and family. A lot of people will give you advice on what they personally experienced, and unknowingly, totally destroy the passion and zeal you have for your own vision. Be careful, and stay alert.

The enemy is waiting for you to leave the pack of people who are positive and live based on their belief in the unseen world. Allow me to share with you, how I see the enemy and compare his tactics with the patience, skill and talent of a Lion, who waits to kill it’s prey.

The lion has the ability to hide and intently observe it’s prey, as it slinks its way closer to a kill. The grasslands and brush provide excellent cover for lions as they sneak up on their prey. Lions utilize the cover of night to increase their foraging success by hunting when the moon is either down or covered by clouds. [Ever notice the devil does a lot of his dirt during the night, or when your heart is in a dark place?]

When stalking its prey, the lion changes its posture by lowering its head and body staying low to the ground, keeping a visual lock on the target prey. [People will sit and watch you, waiting for the perfect time to put their two cents into your situation, calculating how to end your dreams with each little negative word] Whenever the prey looks away or looks down to eat, the lion creeps closer, and if the prey is to look in the direction of the lion, the lion will cease its movement and remain still, [Smooth operator isn't he, just when you think maybe this person isn't good for me, you’ll say the right words just keeping me on the line, not allowing me to go to far away from you] this “red light-green light” type of interplay continues until the lion gets within striking distance. After the lion has entered the striking distance, it pounces and ends the chase rather abruptly [and before you know it, you have allowed the enemy into your heart and your dreams are now pushed to the back of the closet,... full of “what ifs” and “excuses”]

1Peter 5:8

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

All the goals and plans you have written down for yourself, trust and know, they will come to pass. If they line up with the word of God, require faith to make it happen, these are great signs that God is in it. Pray that God send you people without hidden motivates who you can share and develop your ideas with you.

Next year isn’t just another year, its harvest time for many; there is a season and time for everything (Ecclesiastes3:1). I believe, 2012 is a year of harvest and I make it a point not to cast my pearls upon pigs (Matthew 7:6). I believe in what God has told me and I will walk expecting to see it all come to past. I challenge you to do the same, stay encourage.

Don’t put your issues off on me!

Perhaps it’s just me, but why do people often put there hang ups off on others. I was sharing with my co - workers about my daughter getting braces in the next few months, and they immediately started talking about the negative experiences they encountered. They started to speak death on my child, not life! They referred to it as “just letting you know” but in fact, they were speaking their own life failures on me and my child. I must admit I did get frustrated, to be honest it pissed me off. So in that moment, I came against that spirit, rebuked it and spoke the truth. "My child will not go through those experiences" and left my office.

But after receiving revelation, I realized that it had nothing to do with me and was reminded that my fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of darkness.

For some reason I wasn’t over it. I was still pissed off. Why? Because I didn’t resolve the issue within my spirit, yes I came against that thought and “checked” the person or persons with the truth, but my spirit needed more. I was being developed.

It’s the spirit in me that’s being challenged. The word says that when you resist the devil he must flee and I believe that spirit did flee from that person, however unfortunately after the fact; I realized that the likely hood of it returning back to that person was high. It all started to make sense. Daily I was coming against spirits around me, but I was still missing it. I was praying wrong, it was never about me, my prayers were a temporary fix, because the spirits always returned and sometimes worse.

That person or persons needed a word. They needed to be delivered, not rebuked. You can’t be delivered from something unless you first, repent from the behavior, turn away from it, and replace it with a healthy behavior. And once that same initial issue comes back (and it will) you’re be able to turn away from it. That’s a true sign of being delivered. The replacing of the old behavior is very crucial, because if you don’t replace it, the same spirit will return seven times worse than before.

Matthew 12: 43-45
But when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through dry [arid] places in search of rest, but it does not find any.
44Then it says, I will go back to my house from which I came out. And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, put in order, and decorated.
45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So also shall it be with this wicked generation.

That’s what was happening all around me, I was coming against evil spirits, forcing them to flee because I have that authority to do so. However, because that person wasn’t delivered the spirits returned the next time they were tested. As a Christian I want to see deliverance, it’s not just about me. I learned a valuable lesson; instead of coming against that spirit, I prayed for that person’s spirit to gain wisdom and understanding of the truth. For God to immediately send people of positive influence into their lives so they can be led from thier evil ways and walk towards things that will bring them life. I now start to speak life and blessing on people instead of judging them, because when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, he the judge, are doing the very same things. Romans 2:1

Which Way Do I Go

So you’re trying to hear from God? Maybe about moving to a new city, a new job, buying land or maybe you’re wondering if this person is the one for you. Whatever your question is, God has the answer and He’s not keeping it from you. The word says tells us

Matthew 7:8
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

God is always talking. We just can’t always hear, due to static.

Yes static, for a moment think of the communication between you and God as a radio wave. If something or someone interferes with the feed between the two waves it will cause static. Therefore the message will continue to go forth, but you would have miss part of the message due to the static.

Okay, so what can cause static; unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, lust, a lying tongue, and list can go on and on. I think you know where I’m going with this, if you have sin in your life it’s difficult to hear from God. Now I know some of you “know it all's” are going to say, “We all have sin” and this is true, but willfully sinning and falling short are two different things and I think we all know that. HOWEVER, He forgives that which is dealt with; through confession and accountability, thereby is NO STATIC.

Psalm 32:5

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]--then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Another way to have static is asking too many people for their opinion or advice. God is trying to lead you in the right direction, but you just have to ask your Auntie and your closest friends for their two cents. Yes, God does say to seek Godly counsel, but he also says in Colossians 3:15 to let the peace from Christ rule as an umpire in your hearts.

Whenever I’m making a decision and I feel confusion, that’s my sign to step back; not confusing this feeling with being uncomfortable, but feeling stressful or unbalance. I allow the peace of God to decide and settle all the questions in my mind. I find wisdom in making choices that I will be happy with today and tomorrow and day after tomorrow.

God is the only one who knows what I need and when I will need it. We must remember we are spiritual being having a natural experience. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. Trusting God can be “scare-fully beautiful”; its “scary” to let go after controlling your life for so long, but so “beautiful” to have the most loving being control it. Not you’re friends, family or even your spouse knows what the future has in store for you, but God does. Yes, they all love you, but at the end of the day, it’s about your personal relationship with God, not the worlds.

So I challenge you to start getting the static out of you life and allow a clear frequency to develop between and the Most High. There are 66 stations available you just have to tune in.

Presume Nothing, Instead Give Thanks

Cheryl and Michael have been married for 5 years and have a ten old son named Devin. For Christmas Devin wants a Four- Wheeler. Devin first came to his mother, “Mom, I wanna four -wheeler for Christmas!” with so much excitement in his voice. Cheryl had a look of concern and said, “Hmmm go tell your Dad about that request.”

“Dad, I wanna Four- Wheeler for Christmas and Mom didn’t say no, all my friends are getting one and you told me that you had one when you were my age….” Michael interrupted Devin, “Son, close down…..and I need to think about this, that’s a lot of responsiblilty.” Devin whined, “Pleasssssse, Dad.” His Dad said again, “Let me think about it.”

For a month, all Devin would talk about was the Four – Wheeler. He even did extra cleaning and asked to help his Mom out in the kitchen. Before He knew it, Christmas was here. He woke up, ran down stairs like a jack rabbit, passed all the other gifts under the tree, open the back door circle around the house, but their was no four- wheeler. He walked back in the house, with tears in his eyes full of disappointment. He didn’t even care to open his gifts under the tree; in silence he went back up to his room.

Soon after his parents came up stairs, “Son, I know you're upset about not getting the four-wheeler, but I just don’t feel in my heart that you're ready for this, I’m not telling you no, just not right now” his Dad said. Devin was so hurt, he didn’t understand. All the whining got to his Mom and Dad. The next day, Devin was surprised to wake up with his Four-Wheeler in the drive way.

The next morning, Devin was so excited, drove the Four- Wheeler right into traffic and thank god for His grace, Devin wasn’t killed. His parents allowed Devin’s pouting changed their good judgment. Michael and Cheryl missed God. Needless to say, they took the Four- Wheeler away from Devin and he got back a year later, but the lesson that was learned could have killed their son. God is always talking, but are you listening? A better question is, do you want to hear what He has to say?

I’ve learned to not allow other people’s unhappiness and whining change what God has already told me. I presume nothing, but instead give thanks for everything. I don’t have to understand why someone says no, and I don’t have try and figured it out. Instead I give thanks for everything else and know that God is in control.

Life isn’t fair, and my circumstances don’t always add up the way I see fit. But as a Christians, I’m not moved by others or my own emotions, I’m guided by the voice of God; the Holy Spirit that dwells in me. If I lead with my emotions that’s subject to change like the wind. Instead my confidence is placed in the Lord, and that will never change.

So I thank you God for daily covering me, and getting me out the mess I sometimes create with my own thinking, and like clock work you always guide me right back to my target; never letting me miss a beat. I know the cost of not being obedient, and not having your favor. Thank you for always, being there even when I wasn’t.

Ride the Current

Have you ever wondered why birds fly in circles before flying south? They are waiting for the right current that will take them all the way to the south for the whether. Just as there are currents in the seas, there are currents in the air. And the birds just hop right on for the ride, guiding them right to their destination.

How amazing is that? There are regular routes that the birds take every year in the AIR, just waiting for them, like trains or the bus line. They have enough faith in their natural born senses to trust the same routes year after year. God is amazing! I couldn’t help but to think about Matthew 6:25 -26

25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

I just wanna dance and jump around like a child on a playground when I think about how much He must love me. To care enough to have routes in the air for His birds, how much more does He have waiting for me, that I can't even see?!

Just as the birds have currents in the sky; we have a current in our heart called the Holy Spirit. The key is to believe there are routes designed for your life, created to guide you until you reach your goal. And if you just wait long enough for the right current, at the right time, you can jump on it and it will carry you right into your destiny.

GOD, you're not incredible, you are so credible, in every way.

Growings Pains

Have you ever prayed for God to move something or someone out of your life? I know I have, in fact I notice the closer I get to God the more circumstances around me get more intense. What’s that about? This morning a light bulb came on; that during those moments of tension are actually times of development.

God is more interested in changing you, than the circumstances around you. If you pray for a stronger love walk, then your going to encounter situations to test your love walk. How else are you going to develop and grow in that area of your life, than to experience it?

I started to call it, a life course. In order to get a passing grade, I must measure it by the way I react to the circumstances around me, this will determine my success.

I realize that in order for me to become successful in any area in my life I have to able to endure the times of development. So instead of praying for God to remove me from the fire, I ask for Him to give me strength to endure these trials of development, so that I can overcome these challenges and use it as a testimony. I pray to comprehend where I am at spiritually during those times of emotional challenges and give thanks for God preparing me for the next level.

I know that my own development is greater than the gift. The promises are going to come; the concern is being able to keep the gift once it comes. If you can’t manage $100.00 you can’t manage $100,000.00.

I have to be open to acknowledge the areas in my life that need improvement. So when God starts to develop and grow me in those areas I don’t run from the pain, instead I learn to embrace the growing pains and look forward to the results. By faith, I know that God will never leave me, He is faithful and by the love of Christ that lives in me and surpasses all knowledge and understanding, I know I will survive and pass every life course that I encounter.

Ephesians 3:16-21
16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Fight for your life

Before you go into any fight three major keys must go into action. You must be spiritually, mentally, and physically fit. I know a lot of Christians who are fit in one or two of the three mentioned. But unfortunately I do see plenty of Christians who are not physically fit. It hurts my heart to see people with great gifts and talents from God, but can’t fully walk in there calling do to health problems. To see someone who can’t stand for all of the praise and worship due to exhaustion. To see powerful men and women of God pass away from Heart Disease or compilations from diabetes all from not living a healthy lifestyle. It’s a trick of the enemy and it’s time for the children of God to know the truth. God wants you whole spiritually, mentally, and physically.

It’s imperative that you realize just how important it is to maintain physical health, as it is for you’re spiritual and mental health. You can’t just read and study about it. You must put your knowledge and understanding into action and learn to discipline your body by your thinking.

In the beginning your flesh will reject what’s pure; mainly because it’s unfamiliar. Your body craves whatever you put into it, spiritually, mentally and physically. We have to break down those old bad habits and build them up with new healthy habits. During any type of self development training the tearing down process is painful, but the building up process can be even more of a challenge. It takes discipline, you must get your mind determine on what your about to accomplish. Your thinking is navigated by your discipline. Your discipline is in alignment with your willingness to change. Limitations are set by your own discipline, which reflects your thinking. Fight for your health by making a decision to live a balance lifestyle.

Proverbs 10:17
The road to life is a disciplined life; ignore correction and you're lost for good.

Proverbs 12:1
If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction!

Proverbs 23:12
Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge.