Category: Hope

The Fate of the Self Assured

There are nations and people that have been lulled into believing that they have some sort of magic formula that has rendered them successful and even untouchable. They walk among us as gods … believing that they have some control over the fates of all people. Wielding their power to make others bend to their will, in exchange for some favor.

God is watching.

When we ignore The One who has given us life — who has placed within us the gifts that have made room for us — we are assured that His wrath will come … and all of the money, connections and power will not be able to save us!

As we bask in the luxuries that we have desired more than God — we might be lulled into some idea that provision, protection, status and security will be ours forever — it is NOT the case! When we exalt ourselves — He is just and faithful to bring us back to our rightful place.

We cannot live in such a way that we believe we have a right to use or abuse others because w efeel we are more than them. We are NOT getting away with anything!

When on our own wiles we rely – tragedy is sure to befall us. When we ignore The One who has placed the good in our hands, it is sure to turn on us.

I give God glory for all that He is. I affirm from my own soul that He alone is God and there is NONE besides Him. I beg His mercy on on a nation that has believed their own power has made them equal to You! I beg His mercy on people whose status and money have made them believe that they have equal standing with Him. I am asking God to give His children wisdom to walk in The Truth and to give His children boldness to exhort and encourage righteousness!

In a time when ministries are suffering for money; I am praying that He will help the to stand firm for the truth and not be deceived into thinking that any person or authority is sustaining them.

I am praying that He will help His people to remember that we live our lives for an audience of One! Praying that He will help us to remember that we will have to answer to a righteous God some day. Praying that He will help us to remember that our help is in the name of The Lord – who is Strong and Mighty … The God of every nation!

Oh! For Grace to Trust Him More!!

Trust

Recovery from the surgery has helped me feel quite independent.  I can drive myself around.  I cook what I want to eat.  I go where I want to go – when I want to go.  It has been nice.  Well, I was doing a little housework the other day and a huge glass container slipped from my hands – glass flew everywhere which made me afraid to take a step. I cried out for my husband to come and help me, he said, “There you go – I thought you forgot how to call on me!”  My husband let me know that it was his pleasure to deliver me out of trouble.  It reminded me of the story of Asa in 2 Chronicles 16.

Asa went his own way for victory and Hanani the seer told him in verses 7-10  “ Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immense army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

The Lord seeks to bring victory to those whose hearts truly and desperately depend upon Him alone.

It is not an easy thing to live in a state of desperate dependence. 

This present age teaches us to go for it; to make our own futures; to live our best lives now; to be more than the next guy; to prosper at all costs.  God seeks for us to depend upon him to bring to us the future and the present that He desires for us.  Our striving on this earth must be, as Paul Says in Colossians, “striving according to His power, which mightily works within me”.  In other words, even in seeking to bring a good resolution to our problems, we must do so in a manner that places us in a position of humble submission before the Lord of Hosts. 

It is not proper that we rely on Him in our minds, but then act in the flesh to bring swift resolutions to our own issues.  When we act in such manner – we disregard the victory that God has assures and set ourselves up for strife and discord.  We must ask the Lord to develop within our hearts a trust that moves us to stand firm in our faith in God and in our belief that He will work the matter out for our good and for His glory.  Yes we must ask the Lord because without Him granting us grace – we would not be able to trust Him at all! 

We might be tempted to take out a payday loan to satisfy a debt – but we will end up losing more than the original debt when we realize that our resources are not enough to satisfy the payment.  We might make a deal with someone to lessen some debt that we owe – but people are rarely satisfied with the deals they make with debtors unless it leaves the other person in ruins.  If, however, we stand still and rely on the Lord; being strong and courageous and not doubting our victory, according to the Word of the Lord, we not only receive victory but divine favor!

O! that we would learn to trust!

Father, we need you to grant us the grace to trust you more. I plead for myself that you will make my heart one that relies on, desires, trusts and loves you above all!  Father, there are many things facing me in the days ahead and I have been feeling a bit apprehensive, but today – I commit to lay my needs at your feet.  The needs are earthly, in the flesh’s realm, and you are the God of all flesh.  I know that you know what I have need of.  I know that only you can provide everything that I need.  On the word of my own testimony, I can say that you are a faithful deliverer and provider.  Help me to be strong and courageous.  Gird me up, Lord, when my faith falters.  I am trusting in you to see me through!  I am weak – You are all powerful!  You are my God, in whom I trust.  I know with assuredness today that all is well!  Amen

Setting the enemy straight!

Keep Calm Rebuke

“Resist the Devil and he will flee.” This excerpt from James 4 seems to say that our words have power.

I never really thought about it much, but in recent days, with all of the clearly God-less things that are happening all around us; I began to ponder why we, the Church – the Body of Christ, seems impotent to deal with evil. Not that we ARE impotent, NO! we are not – but we do seem to be.

Resist the Devil and he will flee is not a call for us to tell the Devil to sit down and shut up in our own authority, yet I fear this is exactly what we tend to do.  

Our King – Jesus, who is the Christ – has all authority, and we walk in that authority.  

We’ve gotta be careful not to fool ourselves into the false truth … that it is we who have the authority. The authority; The One who sets the standards; The One one who establishes the rules; The One who wields real power – is God. Power and Authority are His! As we attempt to stand against our enemy Satan – we have to remember always that we must ask the Lord Himself to come against the enemy; we must ask God Himself to stand in against the enemy. We have to ask the Lord Himself to work within us the resistance that will make the enemy flee. Much like the disciples who could not cast out the demons on their on – we will stand powerless if we try to do it on our own!

When we experience the enemy’s attacks in our own lives or when we see his movement in the world around us it is our role to speak to the evil one in the name of our Almighty and Faithful God saying ‘Satan, stand down for our Lord will thwart your evil plans‘. It is ours to remind the enemy of who is in charge: ‘Satan, you have no authority here for the Lord Himself will judge you‘. However, be aware that in order to speak to the enemy in God’s power – we have to be connected to Him. We have to know Him, know His word, and be yielded to His will.

Reflect on your own life — are you connected to the power source?  If not, you can be assured that there is no way you can stand against the enemy.

With all of these hurtful, hate filled, sinful, wicked, arrogant, haughty things going all around us we’ve got to remember to live for Him daily – continually yielding to God’s will in our lives.  He will grant us the wisdom to call upon Him!  The witness of the lives of believers in Christ have got to illuminate the earth with the truth of the Gospel and dim the light of the enemy.  His strength that never fails!!  If Michael, the most powerful of the angels, knew that he should not take the enemy to task in his own name or in his own power – surely we understand that we too must be careful to recognize where the power lies.

I Am a Citizen of Heaven

It makes my heart heavy to see believers separated over the world’s political stances.

We, who are Christ followers, have only one King and Ruler. He’s neither Democrat nor is He Republican; He is neither Caucasian nor Black; He is neither male nor female …. He is Holy, Righteous, Unchanging! He Is All! We have pledged allegiance to Him and everything that we need comes from His hand! We are His children and citizens of His kingdom!

If we believe that we are citizens of heaven, then we should carry ourselves in a way that reflects that high honor. What does that look like? Speaking and acting like sons and daughters of the most high!

  • It looks like exhibiting love and grace and speaking His Word in a way that reflect that we KNOW it. Living in a way that reflects our contentment in all things because we KNOW that He is in control of every situation or difficulty.
  • Being overjoyed when someone comes to know and accept the truth of The Gospel.
  • Not fretting over whats happening in the world today or keeping our minds on the things of this world , but looking with hope toward His return.
  • Caring for others, especially those in the Body of Christ.
  • Extending love and grace that the world cannot understand.
  • Praying daily that His will be done AND when He carries out His will rejoicing in it whether it is what we desired or not!

We belong to Him! Let’s not let this world or the enemy make us believe something else!

Many are called …

So many churches are becoming mega churches. During the coronavirus some digital international churches have grown tremendously! Believers all over the world are praising Our Father for this. We are all filled with joy that many are coming to know Him.

The question though is — do many of them just come … just because it sounds like a good idea? A smart idea to be in community with others? Do many of them come because they see the grace and generosity of the Body of Christ as a wise place to be? The truth of the gospel is an invite to all people — ALL People!! Only the ones who are coming with a commitment to live with and for Him will truly experience a different life. A life full of the gifts of peace, mercy, grace, salvation, and so much more!

There is true commitment that pulls us into His presence!

There was a person close to me who loved the gathering of believers. They were invited — and they came to church. They sang in the choir, went to all fellowships, cooked meals for many people, and even gave themselves to people, just as a place to share troubles. There came a time, however, when people were becoming more knowing of the life being lived. As this person was truly seen, they felt compelled to walk away. They never again entered a fellowship with God’s people because the commitment was not to God … so …. what about you?

I mean … His message calls us all, but are you truly letting Him in there to make you one of His own? When accepting the invitation of the gospel, we are not truly redeemed and truly blessed until we both accept invitation and comply with its condition.

When you come to Him, but choose to embrace your sin and not let them go, its like being invited to a wedding and showing up with pajamas on. In the world of my Ghana pastor, Rev Steve Asante, “You’re not serious OOOO!!”

Don’t secretly turn from Him! Give Him all of you! Your life will forever be changed.

Father, please open the minds and hearts of those who know but don’t believe. As your child, please use me to speak and live truth in ways that help people open their hearts. When you call them, I pray that You will help them to answer with hearts that want You in them!