Why We Must Wait

“I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.” Isaiah 42:8 NKJV

These are the words I hear the Lord speaking to me in an effort to quiet my wrestless spirit. A spirit that simply can't make sense of my unsuccessful attempts to become gainfully employed again. A spirit which has decided, without my permission, to tell the truth and to expose what I truly put my trust in. 

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 NKJV

In an effort to encourage those going through a financially difficult time, I remind them that God is Jehovah Jireh and that they only need to trust Him to do what He said He would do. But the truth is, these words are easy to say when you know the date and time of your next deposit. The real test of your faith comes when you are called to stand on His word, especially when there is no deposit date in sight. 

As a result of my experience lately, I am forced to ask myself a few questions: 

1. If everything in your life falls apart, will He still be God? 
2. We He still be the same Jehovah Jireh you challenged others to believe in? 
3. Will His power to do the impossible at a moments notice diminish simply because of the storm your are currently facing?  

Absolutely not; for He is and always will be God. He is the author and finisher of our faith, the One who sits high and looks low; and He is the One whose thoughts towards us cannot be numbered. He knows the plans He has for us; and it is He who has designed these plans. Plans, according to Jeremiah 29:11, that will cause us to not only prosper, but to have hope for this life and the life to come.

So as I reflect on my many attempts to use my earthly connections to land a job, I am constantly being reminded of His words, "I will not share my glory with anyone." Nope, not even that well intentioned supervisor who has called in every favor he could to help you secure that new position.

You see, our God is a jealous God and as a result, He cannot and will not allow another created thing to obtain the praises that so rightfully belong to Him. Can He cause men you do not know to favor you? Of course He can. Can He provoke your enemies to bless you? Absolutely, He can. But let us never forget beloved this one thing, we serve a God who loves to show Himself mighty in our lives; and that is why He takes pleasure in showing out before the masses who counted you out.

Therefore, we must be content with where He has us. We must trust that He sees our need and that He will provide. For mighty is the God we serve and great is His love toward us. 

Be patient my friend. Be patient are the words I hear the Lord speaking to my soul. Be patient and see the salvation of the Lord.

Until next time...

Navigating the Storms of Life

In this life you will have trouble...

It appears as if God is really trying to get my attention lately. It's as if he's trying to get me to see the purpose behind everything that I've experienced over the last couple of months. And so as I sit in my hotel room tonight reading my word, beloved I am led to share the word that has been so clearly spoken to me with you. Hopefully this word will encourage you and give you the tools necessary to keep moving forward, to keep pressing on, even when it's the last thing you want to do. 

The first thing God wants us to know about our trial is that they are apart of the walk. They are apart of the walk because we currently reside in enemy territory. In short, we are behind enemy lines. Therefore, our very presence is an affront to him and warrants an attack. So what does this mean? It means you could be doing everything right and still be persecuted. Your persecution is not the result of the things you do, but because of who you are and who resides within you.

The truth is, we may never know why we go through what we go through. Maybe like Job, we were recommended or maybe like Peter, we were asked for (Luke 22:31-32); or maybe the trial is a direct and natural consequence of a decision we made in our past that was outside of God's will for our life (Numbers 13:1-24).  Whatever the case may be, He has already given us the victory; and if we faint not, great is our testimony.

The next thing God wants us to know is that our trials are progressive, each one building upon the next. Thereby making the old adage true, new level, new devil. Even so, it is important that we never forget to look for and see God's mercy in the midst of our struggle. Beloved, the mere fact that your trial has not cost you your life, is evidence that God's mercy is upon you and this is reason enough to praise Him (Hebrews 12:3-11). 

So when the trial comes and it truly will, here's what we are to do:

1. Don't despise it and don't make light of it either. We know that God uses all things for our good, but the good only is of benefit to us if we learn the lesson.

2. Don't give up and don't become overrun with worry. Our father in heaven is not dumb or slack concerning his promises toward you. He sees you, and he knows everything about what you're going through. You only need to trust Him. 

Trust Him despite your circumstances. 

Trust Him despite what others may say.

Trust Him despite how you feel. 

Trust Him, trust Him, trust Him. 

Until next time...

When Nothing Else Will Do

It's easy to trust God when things are going well, but what do you do when things aren't working out the way YOU planned or hoped they would? Will you still trust Him? Will you make a conscious choice to take captive every thought that speaks a word contrary to what He has already declared in His word concerning you? Will you continue to smile even though everything around you seems to be falling apart?

What will you do?

You will praise Him, that's what you will do! You will look your troubles square in the face and tell them about the awesome God you serve. You will tell every disappointment how nothing is wasted with God, and boldly proclaim how He will use your setbacks, your let downs and your failures for your good. You will confuse the enemy and startle the nations with your ability to walk on the very thing that was sent to trouble you. Yup, that's exactly what you will do!

Beloved you will do this because despite everything that is happening around you, to you and in you; God is still God and of His Kingdom there is no end (Isaiah 9:7)! You will remember and meditate on the promises He has declared to you, promises that speak of His plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11), promises to carry every weight that burdens you (1 Peter 5:7), promises to be ever mindful of you and to take time each day just to see about you (Psalm 8:4).

As you began to reflect on all that God has promised you, you will experience the release that only comes from being in His presence. A presence that not only promises to bring you joy, but also knowledge concerning the path of life He has for you. (Psalm 16:11) It is then and only then can you get to the place of praise. A place that is not controlled by the circumstances before you.

The truth is, this life will be filled with trouble (John 16:33). We know this because He said it would, but this does not mean that we have to be consumed or beat down by this trouble. In fact we are told, to fear not, for He has already overcome the world, which means we already have the victory.

Beloved, today you will decide like Job, to accept both the good and the bad that comes with this life. You will choose to look at every situation from God's perspective. You will make a conscious effort to seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal unto you the purpose behind every experience.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory. Selah Psalm 24:9-10

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Is there not breath in you? Then you know exactly what you should do.

Amen, until next time...