If you're going to be a Disciple of Christ and a follower of the Lord Jesus, one of the things that you will have to accept is the reality of being Alone. Being Alone is not a popular social condition in our society today. With all of the social media and constant interaction with people over the internet, it seems like human interaction is a phenomenon that is supposed to take place 24/7. But when you're following Jesus, when you're committed to serving the Lord, the dynamics of human interaction change drastically. For those who plan to go with Jesus "all the way", we must begin to learn The Endurance of Solitude.
Let's be honest and admit that the majority of the population (regardless of national status or geographical location) is not trying to follow Jesus. It's one thing to profess Christianity, it's another thing to be an ardent, die-hard Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why Jesus said that many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22). Isolation and estrangement are a bitter pill to swallow. Most if not all of us, want to be accepted and want to be received. But the reality of the true Christian journey is that most of the time, we will not. It is The Endurance of Solitude.
Being Alone is one thing. Standing by yourself is hard enough. But having to internalize a sense of alienation and ostracization in the midst of a group or a crowd, can be very unsettling-emotionally and psychologically. This is where a lot of Christians fall short. Because we are so conditioned to be regulated by "social reinforcement", when we don't receive it, we faint and give up the race. We just begin to "blend in" so that we don't stick out and "offend" anybody. This is not the Will of God. If it were just a crowd of "strangers", it might be a little different. But how do you handle when your own "family" begins to question you and criticize you? How do you handle it when your biggest adversary is actually your spouse or your children? What do you do when the people in your own congregation begin to turn on you? Such is The Endurance of Solitude.
The scripture says in the first chapter of the Gospel of Saint John, that Jesus "came unto His own and His own received Him not". Jesus understood the challenge of experiencing The Endurance of Solitude. He knew what it was like to be Alone, to be misunderstood, to be rejected and mistreated. But this did not deter Him from His Divine Mission, and neither should it deter us. Jesus was able to embrace The Endurance of Solitude because He understood that the Father was always with Him (John 8). And saints, we have the same Assurance. The Lord has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13). If we're going to follow Jesus to the Cross, we're not going to be able to depend on earthly support or human reinforcement. We must depend strictly and solely on Divine Assurance and Support from the Lord. It's the only way that we'll be able to meet the challenge of The Endurance of Solitude.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Saturday, March 26, 2016
A Resurrection Focus
As we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, let us understand that the key to a proper and appropriate celebration of this salvific and redemptive Event is having the proper Focus. Many times, when we celebrate the Birth, the Crucifixion, the Death and the Resurrection of our Lord, we tend to get caught up in the religious emotional experience. Yes, considering Jesus died for the penalty of our sins, we should be more than emotional and celebratory of the Sacrifice that our Lord made for us as His children. But it needs to go deeper than just emotional expression. We need to have a Resurrection Focus so that we can bear the fruit for which Jesus shed His Blood to receive.
When Jesus rose from the dead, the scripture says that He spent forty days with the disciples, teaching them those things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (Acts 1). Part of having a proper Resurrection Focus is to be focused on the Kingdom of God. If you pay close attention to the text, you'll notice that Jesus doesn't necessarily spend time with the disciples teaching them about "the church". And let me say for the record, church and congregational ministry and the Kingdom of God are not synonymous. During this season, we need to renew our focus, not so much on church ministry, but Kingdom Manifestation. We must be focused on receiving a Move of God that will usher in His Kingdom, on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6).
The scripture also says in the third chapter of Colossians, that if we have been risen with Christ then we should seek those things which are above, not those things which are on the earth. A Resurrection Focus requires a Heavenly Focus. Somewhere, the saying was adopted that you can be so heavenly minded that you're no earthly good. This is a lie. One of the problems with the witness of the church is that we're not Heavenly Minded enough. As a matter of fact, once our Focus is renewed to the Heavenly Realm, we'll be more earthly good than we've ever been before. Why? Because that's where Jesus is! The scripture admonishes us to seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. The Throne of the Kingdom is in Christ at the Right Hand of the Father. This is where we need to Focus. Our affection, our focus, our passion, our desire; all of this needs to be directed towards Heaven. Once again, why? Because once we as the people of God develop a laser focus on the things of Heaven, we'll be able by the Spirit to access the Power necessary to transform the things of the earth. Saints it's Time. No more distractions, no more wrong paths. Let us become disciplined and allow the Holy Spirit to groom us and teach us so that we can demonstrate and exemplify A Resurrection Focus.
When Jesus rose from the dead, the scripture says that He spent forty days with the disciples, teaching them those things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (Acts 1). Part of having a proper Resurrection Focus is to be focused on the Kingdom of God. If you pay close attention to the text, you'll notice that Jesus doesn't necessarily spend time with the disciples teaching them about "the church". And let me say for the record, church and congregational ministry and the Kingdom of God are not synonymous. During this season, we need to renew our focus, not so much on church ministry, but Kingdom Manifestation. We must be focused on receiving a Move of God that will usher in His Kingdom, on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6).
The scripture also says in the third chapter of Colossians, that if we have been risen with Christ then we should seek those things which are above, not those things which are on the earth. A Resurrection Focus requires a Heavenly Focus. Somewhere, the saying was adopted that you can be so heavenly minded that you're no earthly good. This is a lie. One of the problems with the witness of the church is that we're not Heavenly Minded enough. As a matter of fact, once our Focus is renewed to the Heavenly Realm, we'll be more earthly good than we've ever been before. Why? Because that's where Jesus is! The scripture admonishes us to seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. The Throne of the Kingdom is in Christ at the Right Hand of the Father. This is where we need to Focus. Our affection, our focus, our passion, our desire; all of this needs to be directed towards Heaven. Once again, why? Because once we as the people of God develop a laser focus on the things of Heaven, we'll be able by the Spirit to access the Power necessary to transform the things of the earth. Saints it's Time. No more distractions, no more wrong paths. Let us become disciplined and allow the Holy Spirit to groom us and teach us so that we can demonstrate and exemplify A Resurrection Focus.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Changed
One of the things that believers in Christ need to be expecting as we approach the Season of the Kingdom of God, is to be Changed. Our society has become addicted and obsessed with "seeing change", but I don't think that we are equally as concerned with the prospect of Being Changed. President Barack Obama in 2008, ran a presidential campaign based on the hope and promise of Change. This presidential election of 2016 is hinging on the candidates being able to "change things" in America. However, as a believer in Christ, our hope should not be in a presidential candidate or a governmental system. Our hope is in Christ! Therefore, let us not focus on seeing change, let us focus on Being Changed.
In the Book of Romans chapter 6, the scripture talks about "walking in the newness of life". In 2Corinthians 5, the scripture talks about being a "new creature in Christ". However, if we're honest, many of the Christians that we know don't seem to "change" that much after they've accepted Christ or after having been in the church for an extended period of time. Let me serve notice saints, this is about to Change, and we need to be expecting it. We are entering a season of Divine Visitation. This is not something that the mainstream church regularly promotes or preaches to the people of God, but the reality of our Relationship with God is that God does come and Visit His people (John 14). When the people of God experience a Divine Visitation from the Lord, it is impossible for them to stay the same. They must be Changed.
This is what the Father is ready to do amongst His people who are sold out and sanctified unto Him (2Corinthians 6). The Father, along with the Son, is ready to Manifest Himself to His people in a Supernatural Way. When this transpires, the people of God will be Changed: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.
One of the major Changes that the people of God are about to experience across the board is Supernatural Healing. If I can say it like this, God is tired of His people being Sick. That's why the scripture says that by His Stripes we are Healed (Isaiah 53). I know that the people of God are "tired" of being sick. Tired of having to "always" go to the doctor. Tired of taking prescription medicine that throws your body even further out of whack. Tired of having to physically "thrust yourself" through the day. No more saints. Get ready to be physically Changed.
There are some of us who have had to endure Emotional and Psychological Scars. Family past and relational issues have hurt us and scarred us for life. But the Father is tired of His children continually operating in emotional pain and duress. He wants His people to be Free (Luke 4); Free from emotional and psychological Pain and Stress. The Father no longer wants His children to have relationships adversely affected by what they've experienced in the past. No more internal scars and unresolved issues saints; get ready to be emotionally and psychologically Changed.
Lastly saints, God wants His people to operate in Supernatural Power. No more of this lukewarm "church tradition". No more of this same 'ol "predictable Christianity". Uh uh saints, no mas. The Father is ready to release a New Anointing that will break yokes, set captives free and transform regions and countries for the Kingdom of God. Are you ready for it? If you are, then get ready to be Changed.
In the Book of Romans chapter 6, the scripture talks about "walking in the newness of life". In 2Corinthians 5, the scripture talks about being a "new creature in Christ". However, if we're honest, many of the Christians that we know don't seem to "change" that much after they've accepted Christ or after having been in the church for an extended period of time. Let me serve notice saints, this is about to Change, and we need to be expecting it. We are entering a season of Divine Visitation. This is not something that the mainstream church regularly promotes or preaches to the people of God, but the reality of our Relationship with God is that God does come and Visit His people (John 14). When the people of God experience a Divine Visitation from the Lord, it is impossible for them to stay the same. They must be Changed.
This is what the Father is ready to do amongst His people who are sold out and sanctified unto Him (2Corinthians 6). The Father, along with the Son, is ready to Manifest Himself to His people in a Supernatural Way. When this transpires, the people of God will be Changed: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.
One of the major Changes that the people of God are about to experience across the board is Supernatural Healing. If I can say it like this, God is tired of His people being Sick. That's why the scripture says that by His Stripes we are Healed (Isaiah 53). I know that the people of God are "tired" of being sick. Tired of having to "always" go to the doctor. Tired of taking prescription medicine that throws your body even further out of whack. Tired of having to physically "thrust yourself" through the day. No more saints. Get ready to be physically Changed.
There are some of us who have had to endure Emotional and Psychological Scars. Family past and relational issues have hurt us and scarred us for life. But the Father is tired of His children continually operating in emotional pain and duress. He wants His people to be Free (Luke 4); Free from emotional and psychological Pain and Stress. The Father no longer wants His children to have relationships adversely affected by what they've experienced in the past. No more internal scars and unresolved issues saints; get ready to be emotionally and psychologically Changed.
Lastly saints, God wants His people to operate in Supernatural Power. No more of this lukewarm "church tradition". No more of this same 'ol "predictable Christianity". Uh uh saints, no mas. The Father is ready to release a New Anointing that will break yokes, set captives free and transform regions and countries for the Kingdom of God. Are you ready for it? If you are, then get ready to be Changed.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Taking Care of the Temple
As I speak with more and more of my Christian friends, I'm discovering that during this season, God is putting more of an emphasis on the maintenance and oversight of our physical bodies. Because God is a Spirit, many Christians tend to think that the Father does not put as much emphasis on the physical and biological aspect of our being. However, this is incorrect. God wants us to be Holy (1Thessalonians 5), which includes our spirit, soul and body. Therefore, the conclusion is, if a believer is not proactively taking care of their physical body and overall health, then they are not walking in the Holiness for which God has called us to as His children. For this reason, we must be more mindful in Taking Care of the Temple.
We must keep in mind that our bodies represent the Temple of God (1Corinthians 6). God dwells inside of us through the Presence of His Holy Spirit (Romans 8). With this in mind, we must understand that as physical temples, we are actually Hosting the Presence of God. This is major. God is not trying to dwell in a broken down, unfit, unhealthy Temple. The Father deserves better than this. It is not expedient for us in regards to the Presence of God within our bodies if we are always operating in sickness and pain, disease and illness. Once again, this is not the Will of God. For this reason, we must be committed in Taking Care of the Temple.
In Taking Care of the Temple, we must be mindful of what we eat. It's not scriptural, but there's an old saying that "you are what you eat". There is a degree of truth to this, because many of us put too much junk (food) in our bodies and then wonder why, physically speaking, we feel like Garbage. Saints, we must renew our minds in the area of diet and nutrition. The days of always eating cookies and soda-pop, potato chips and beer, hot dogs and other types of red meat and processed foods; at some point we have to Repent and develop a different way of thinking about our eating habits. Studies have shown that most of the illnesses and diseases that people experience are directly related to their diet. Which means, if we can learn to eat healthier we will have the experience of Being More Healthy.
Foods like fruit, vegetables, water, fish and chicken (if you just have to eat meat) are some of the options that we need to resort to in Taking Care of the Temple. This doesn't mean you have to become a Vegan or a Vegetarian. But what it does mean is that there is a Conscious Mind-Set to say that I am not going to continue to feed God's Temple with the things that I know will lead to its utter destruction. Once again, this is not the Will of God.
Lastly saints, we need to get more Rest and experience Less Stress. Some of us believe in Working Around the Clock and never allowing our bodies and our minds to get sufficient Rest. There's a Reason why God instructed His people to "rest on the Sabbath" (Exodus 20) and gave us the Divine Example of Resting on the seventh day in Creation (Genesis 2). Therefore, in Taking Care of the Temple, we must make sure we're getting Proper Rest for our bodies. Set a bed-time. That's not just for kids. We as adults need to "monitor" how much sleep we are getting and become regimented in securing it. And then, reduce your Stress. The things that you "know" are going to stress you out that you know you can avoid, do so. Hypertension and high-blood pressure are directly linked to Too Much Stress. Saints, if we can at least start here, we will start moving in the right direction of Taking Care of the Temple.
We must keep in mind that our bodies represent the Temple of God (1Corinthians 6). God dwells inside of us through the Presence of His Holy Spirit (Romans 8). With this in mind, we must understand that as physical temples, we are actually Hosting the Presence of God. This is major. God is not trying to dwell in a broken down, unfit, unhealthy Temple. The Father deserves better than this. It is not expedient for us in regards to the Presence of God within our bodies if we are always operating in sickness and pain, disease and illness. Once again, this is not the Will of God. For this reason, we must be committed in Taking Care of the Temple.
In Taking Care of the Temple, we must be mindful of what we eat. It's not scriptural, but there's an old saying that "you are what you eat". There is a degree of truth to this, because many of us put too much junk (food) in our bodies and then wonder why, physically speaking, we feel like Garbage. Saints, we must renew our minds in the area of diet and nutrition. The days of always eating cookies and soda-pop, potato chips and beer, hot dogs and other types of red meat and processed foods; at some point we have to Repent and develop a different way of thinking about our eating habits. Studies have shown that most of the illnesses and diseases that people experience are directly related to their diet. Which means, if we can learn to eat healthier we will have the experience of Being More Healthy.
Foods like fruit, vegetables, water, fish and chicken (if you just have to eat meat) are some of the options that we need to resort to in Taking Care of the Temple. This doesn't mean you have to become a Vegan or a Vegetarian. But what it does mean is that there is a Conscious Mind-Set to say that I am not going to continue to feed God's Temple with the things that I know will lead to its utter destruction. Once again, this is not the Will of God.
Lastly saints, we need to get more Rest and experience Less Stress. Some of us believe in Working Around the Clock and never allowing our bodies and our minds to get sufficient Rest. There's a Reason why God instructed His people to "rest on the Sabbath" (Exodus 20) and gave us the Divine Example of Resting on the seventh day in Creation (Genesis 2). Therefore, in Taking Care of the Temple, we must make sure we're getting Proper Rest for our bodies. Set a bed-time. That's not just for kids. We as adults need to "monitor" how much sleep we are getting and become regimented in securing it. And then, reduce your Stress. The things that you "know" are going to stress you out that you know you can avoid, do so. Hypertension and high-blood pressure are directly linked to Too Much Stress. Saints, if we can at least start here, we will start moving in the right direction of Taking Care of the Temple.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Swapping Your Birthright
One of the greatest threats to the Christian witness and the ministry of the church is the spirit of Compromise. As we get closer and closer to the Manifestation of the Kingdom of God, it is imperative that we as the people of God are willing to take a stand and not compromise our faith nor our principles of belief in the Word of God. Satan is going to try to seduce us (Genesis 3, Matthew 4) and make us think that the "short-cut" route will not hurt us. His deception will be on the order that it will almost seem "advantageous" across the board to take the "easy way out". But let us understand on the front end, this is not the Will of God. Jesus told Peter when he tried to tell Him that He would not have to suffer as the Messiah, "get thee behind me Satan". Why? Because he savored the things of man more than the things of God (Matthew 16). For this reason, we must be careful not to be guilty of Swapping our Birthright.
In the story of Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of the patriarch Isaac, the scripture talks about how Esau sold his birthright to Jacob his younger brother (Genesis 25). The reason this is significant is because every child of God has been granted a Divine Birthright in Christ Jesus (Acts 26). The challenge, however, is that it has to be inherited (Galatians 4). You don't receive the Birthright just because you're "born again". One must grow and develop into Spiritual Maturity in order to receive the Divine Birthright that the Father has ordained for every child of God. Because many Christians are not focused on obtaining the Birthright that God has ordained for them through the Blood of His Son Jesus, we operate in a perpetual state of spiritual immaturity and, as a result, end up Swapping Our Birthright.
Why did Esau sell his Birthright for a pot of soup? Number one, he didn't place the proper value on the Divine Birthright that he was to receive through inheritance as being the elder brother. The scripture says in the 3rd chapter of Galatians, that Jesus died for our sins in order that we might receive The Blessing of Abraham. Many Christians in the mainstream church do not understand the significance of the Blessing of Abraham in the individual Christian's life. The Favor, the Support, the Blessing, the Revelation, the Intervention, the Empowerment, the Victory, the Guidance, that Abraham received in his life were due to The Blessing that God had conferred upon him (Genesis 12). This same Blessing is available to the believer in Christ. When it was made available to Esau, he chose to be a sell-out.
The last thing that Esau did that led him to Swap his Birthright is that he put his Personal Provision over his Divine Inheritance. Esau was focused on the flesh and the appeasement and satisfaction of his appetite. This is not the will of God. That's why the scripture admonishes us to Crucify the Flesh (Galatians 5). We must operate in the faith that God will supply all of our need according to His Riches in Glory, by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4). We must quit being preoccupied with our needs in the natural and in the flesh, and begin to focus on the Heavenly Provision and Blessing that the Father has ordained for us as His children. If we do not make this shift and transition, like Esau, we too will be guilty of Swapping Our Birthright.
In the story of Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of the patriarch Isaac, the scripture talks about how Esau sold his birthright to Jacob his younger brother (Genesis 25). The reason this is significant is because every child of God has been granted a Divine Birthright in Christ Jesus (Acts 26). The challenge, however, is that it has to be inherited (Galatians 4). You don't receive the Birthright just because you're "born again". One must grow and develop into Spiritual Maturity in order to receive the Divine Birthright that the Father has ordained for every child of God. Because many Christians are not focused on obtaining the Birthright that God has ordained for them through the Blood of His Son Jesus, we operate in a perpetual state of spiritual immaturity and, as a result, end up Swapping Our Birthright.
Why did Esau sell his Birthright for a pot of soup? Number one, he didn't place the proper value on the Divine Birthright that he was to receive through inheritance as being the elder brother. The scripture says in the 3rd chapter of Galatians, that Jesus died for our sins in order that we might receive The Blessing of Abraham. Many Christians in the mainstream church do not understand the significance of the Blessing of Abraham in the individual Christian's life. The Favor, the Support, the Blessing, the Revelation, the Intervention, the Empowerment, the Victory, the Guidance, that Abraham received in his life were due to The Blessing that God had conferred upon him (Genesis 12). This same Blessing is available to the believer in Christ. When it was made available to Esau, he chose to be a sell-out.
The last thing that Esau did that led him to Swap his Birthright is that he put his Personal Provision over his Divine Inheritance. Esau was focused on the flesh and the appeasement and satisfaction of his appetite. This is not the will of God. That's why the scripture admonishes us to Crucify the Flesh (Galatians 5). We must operate in the faith that God will supply all of our need according to His Riches in Glory, by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4). We must quit being preoccupied with our needs in the natural and in the flesh, and begin to focus on the Heavenly Provision and Blessing that the Father has ordained for us as His children. If we do not make this shift and transition, like Esau, we too will be guilty of Swapping Our Birthright.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Operating in the Invisible
In terms of operating in the natural realm, most people, including Christians, are used to functioning based upon what we can see and what is tangible, visible or empirical. This of course makes sense, but it is not totally the way of God. If we are going to operate within the Realm of the Kingdom of God, we must begin to learn how to Operate within the Invisible. The Realm that God is calling His people to in this season is not a visible one, it is Invisible. That is why Jesus made it clear that those who worship the Father must do it in spirit and in truth (John 4). The Spirit Realm is an Invisible Realm. If we as the people of God do not learn to make this transition, we will be extremely restricted as it relates to experiencing and manifesting the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is an Invisible Realm that then has Visible Manifestation. The Kingdom of God doesn't start in the Natural, it manifests in the Natural; but it starts in the Spirit. Let's first start with God. God is Invisible. You cannot see God, but we witness the "Manifestation of God" through nature and His works (Romans 1). However, even with physical demonstration of the reality of God, people still choose not to believe in Him. Why? Because believing in God requires faith. The Bible says that we walk by faith, not by sight (2Corinthians 5). The scripture says that Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11). In order to please God, we must Operate by Faith, which is Operating in the Invisible.
Another dimension of the Kingdom that gets mentioned but not necessarily sufficiently addressed is the subject of Angels. If one is going to Operate in the Invisible and be a worker in the Kingdom of God, you must understand and expect the Supernatural interaction of Angelic Activity. Many Christians are familiar with Angels, but we have not been taught how to "work" with Angels, let alone their function in the Kingdom of God. The reason this is significant is because, once again, Angels are Invisible. They are all around us, but we cannot see them. They can and do manifest in the natural at times; but just because they can't always be visibly witnessed doesn't mean that they aren't constantly active. We must allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds so that we can receive a better understanding of the role of the Angelic in the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Lastly, we must keep in mind that as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, we are operating in Spiritual Warfare. Satan and demonic emissaries are constantly seeking how they can destroy the believer in Christ (John 10). However, once again, the warfare for which we are engaged is Invisible. The Warfare for which we have been called is primarily fought in the Mind. That's why we are admonished to take every thought captive for Christ (2Corinthians 10). Satan wants your mind; but so does God. That's why the Word says, "let this Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2). The scripture also says, "be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12). Don't be fooled or enthralled by what you see in the natural. Don't become a prisoner to what you can see and touch and feel. Understand that the True Reality is located in the Invisible Realm. And if we are to be vessels of God unto the ushering in of His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, then we must begin Operating in the Invisible.
The Kingdom of God is an Invisible Realm that then has Visible Manifestation. The Kingdom of God doesn't start in the Natural, it manifests in the Natural; but it starts in the Spirit. Let's first start with God. God is Invisible. You cannot see God, but we witness the "Manifestation of God" through nature and His works (Romans 1). However, even with physical demonstration of the reality of God, people still choose not to believe in Him. Why? Because believing in God requires faith. The Bible says that we walk by faith, not by sight (2Corinthians 5). The scripture says that Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11). In order to please God, we must Operate by Faith, which is Operating in the Invisible.
Another dimension of the Kingdom that gets mentioned but not necessarily sufficiently addressed is the subject of Angels. If one is going to Operate in the Invisible and be a worker in the Kingdom of God, you must understand and expect the Supernatural interaction of Angelic Activity. Many Christians are familiar with Angels, but we have not been taught how to "work" with Angels, let alone their function in the Kingdom of God. The reason this is significant is because, once again, Angels are Invisible. They are all around us, but we cannot see them. They can and do manifest in the natural at times; but just because they can't always be visibly witnessed doesn't mean that they aren't constantly active. We must allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds so that we can receive a better understanding of the role of the Angelic in the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Lastly, we must keep in mind that as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, we are operating in Spiritual Warfare. Satan and demonic emissaries are constantly seeking how they can destroy the believer in Christ (John 10). However, once again, the warfare for which we are engaged is Invisible. The Warfare for which we have been called is primarily fought in the Mind. That's why we are admonished to take every thought captive for Christ (2Corinthians 10). Satan wants your mind; but so does God. That's why the Word says, "let this Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2). The scripture also says, "be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12). Don't be fooled or enthralled by what you see in the natural. Don't become a prisoner to what you can see and touch and feel. Understand that the True Reality is located in the Invisible Realm. And if we are to be vessels of God unto the ushering in of His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, then we must begin Operating in the Invisible.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
When Are You Due?
Recently I was taking care of some business, and I ran across a woman that was attending to some of my administrative needs. She is pregnant, and while she was working I asked her, when are you due? Saints, there are many of us that are pregnant in the Spirit. Pregnant with gifts, pregnant with callings, pregnant with anointing, pregnant with visions, pregnant with dreams; you are Spiritually Pregnant. And the question is, When Are You Due? This is a significant question because, in the natural, no woman is trying to be pregnant "indefinitely". There's a point of conception, and there's a point of birth. As the children of God, we need to have an idea of when the birthing time will take place. So I ask you again, When Are You Due?
The first question you need to raise is, Are You Due? There are some people that are not Due. They haven't "paid" their dues. They've been unfaithful, they've been disobedient, they've been self-centered, they've been self-serving, and they haven't submitted themselves to the Divine Will of God for their lives. For those of you who have been living in this state, your Due Date in the Spirit may not be determined yet. We must be honest with ourselves. Yes, all of us make mistakes, and yes all of us have room to grow. But you know in your spirit when you are on the path and doing what God has called and ordained you to do, for and during a particular season. So don't play games. Even when a woman doesn't "know" she's pregnant, at some point she begins to "show". Remember, a tree is known by the fruit it bears (Luke 6).
Then saints, there are "signs" of pregnancy. When a woman is about to give birth, her whole body changes. Her stomach is big because she's carrying a child. Her face is fatter because she's gained weight. Her appetite increases because she's "eating for two". She even experiences "morning sickness" because of the various complications that are naturally associated with a pregnancy. Such is the case when you are Pregnant in the Spirit. It's not going to be easy. As a matter of fact, the longer the duration of the pregnancy, the harder physically it gets. Such is the case in the Spirit. If things are getting harder, if you're being stretched even the more, it might be a "sign" that your Due Date is nigh. Don't mistake hardness for the absence of God or proper execution of authentic spirituality. This misconception is a mistake that we make that undermines our faith. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made a quote for which I totally concur, "the line of progress is never straight". If you've had some "curves and turns" in your spiritual journey as of late. If it seems like things aren't "straight" and you've gotten off course, you might be closer to your Due Date than you think.
Lastly saints, the scripture says, "in Due Season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6). A prophet recently shared with me a word they received from the Lord that said, and I paraphrase, "the measures are in place for the turnaround. But things won't be released until my people turn and seek My Face". Saints, unlike in the natural, you can Delay your Due Date. God will not deliver if things are not In Order. The Kingdom is all about Divine Order. Therefore, the answer to the question has a lot to do with are you ready for what God is ready to Birth? If not, then your Due Season could be protracted and delayed. And what I'm learning is, if you're not careful, you can actually be a victim of a Spiritual Miscarriage. You can lose what God has conceived to be birthed in and through you. Don't let this happen to you saints. Be diligent, be sober, be obedient and Turn, and in the Spirit you'll have discernment of When You Are Due.
The first question you need to raise is, Are You Due? There are some people that are not Due. They haven't "paid" their dues. They've been unfaithful, they've been disobedient, they've been self-centered, they've been self-serving, and they haven't submitted themselves to the Divine Will of God for their lives. For those of you who have been living in this state, your Due Date in the Spirit may not be determined yet. We must be honest with ourselves. Yes, all of us make mistakes, and yes all of us have room to grow. But you know in your spirit when you are on the path and doing what God has called and ordained you to do, for and during a particular season. So don't play games. Even when a woman doesn't "know" she's pregnant, at some point she begins to "show". Remember, a tree is known by the fruit it bears (Luke 6).
Then saints, there are "signs" of pregnancy. When a woman is about to give birth, her whole body changes. Her stomach is big because she's carrying a child. Her face is fatter because she's gained weight. Her appetite increases because she's "eating for two". She even experiences "morning sickness" because of the various complications that are naturally associated with a pregnancy. Such is the case when you are Pregnant in the Spirit. It's not going to be easy. As a matter of fact, the longer the duration of the pregnancy, the harder physically it gets. Such is the case in the Spirit. If things are getting harder, if you're being stretched even the more, it might be a "sign" that your Due Date is nigh. Don't mistake hardness for the absence of God or proper execution of authentic spirituality. This misconception is a mistake that we make that undermines our faith. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made a quote for which I totally concur, "the line of progress is never straight". If you've had some "curves and turns" in your spiritual journey as of late. If it seems like things aren't "straight" and you've gotten off course, you might be closer to your Due Date than you think.
Lastly saints, the scripture says, "in Due Season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6). A prophet recently shared with me a word they received from the Lord that said, and I paraphrase, "the measures are in place for the turnaround. But things won't be released until my people turn and seek My Face". Saints, unlike in the natural, you can Delay your Due Date. God will not deliver if things are not In Order. The Kingdom is all about Divine Order. Therefore, the answer to the question has a lot to do with are you ready for what God is ready to Birth? If not, then your Due Season could be protracted and delayed. And what I'm learning is, if you're not careful, you can actually be a victim of a Spiritual Miscarriage. You can lose what God has conceived to be birthed in and through you. Don't let this happen to you saints. Be diligent, be sober, be obedient and Turn, and in the Spirit you'll have discernment of When You Are Due.
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