One of the primary prerequisites for being a Disciple of Christ is the carrying of one's cross. Jesus makes it clear in the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Saint Matthew that if one desires to be His Disciple they must take up their cross. What I'm learning though, is that it takes Capacity to Bear the Cross. The Call to the Cross is not an easy one, and one that few Christians, unfortunately, choose to bear. However, I don't believe it 's simply a matter of refusal or blatant disobedience to the Will of God. In order to bear your cross, in order to be a true Disciple of Christ, you must have Capacity for The Cross.
The key to bearing one's cross is the element of Crucifixion. This is what happens on the cross; you get Crucified. So if you're not willing to be Crucified, then you're not prepared to bear your cross. The concept of Crucifixion and the application thereof is not a topic that I hear frequently in the mainstream church. But it is a top priority for Discipleship Training. Therefore, we need to understand some of the elements of the Crucifixion process that are pertinent to us bearing our cross.
The first area of Crucifixion is the flesh. The scripture says very clearly that they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Galatians 5). The flesh is the sinful nature that we as human beings have inherited as a result of the Fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden (Romans chapters 5-8). For this reason, we have an internal propensity to go against the Divine Will of God for our lives (Galatians 5). The scripture says that our responsibility as Christians is to crucify this flesh; which means we have to die to the sinful nature. In order to submit to this Crucifixion process, which is part of the Sanctification of the believer, you must have Capacity.
The next area of Crucifixion is being crucified to the world. Paul said that he was crucified to the world (Galatians 6). It's one thing to be crucified to the flesh, but it's another thing to be crucified to the world. You can still serve Christ and be lured and fascinated by the trappings of the world. This is not the Will of God. That's why Jesus made it clear that as the children of God, we are not of this world (John 15). The scripture also says that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4). We must be crucified (dead) to the world so that our focus is not on earthly things but on the things of the Kingdom of Heaven (Colossians 3).
Lastly saints, if one is going to have Capacity for the Cross, one must be endued with Hope. The bible says that Jesus endured the Cross because of the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12). That's Hope. What are you hoping for in Christ? What are you reaching for in the Lord, in the temporal and the Eternal, that is worth dying for? If you haven't found something within your Kingdom Call that would allow you to proactively lay down your life, more than likely, you still need to develop more Capacity for The Cross.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
When Good is No Longer Good Enough
This is a very interesting Season that we are in right now, because we are in the midst of a Shift. There's a Shift that God is sponsoring in the Spirit Realm that is shifting and changing many things in our lives. For some of you, it may seem like things are changing without your control or approval. Things that used to work before simply are no longer working. Relationships that appeared functional and viable before seem to be outdated and have served their purpose. These incidents and different dynamics are not coincidental or happenstance; they are the result of the Shift that God is creating in the earth.
The reason for this Shift is that God is changing some things and shifting some things, in order to further prepare us for what He's about to release in the earth. When it is released, there won't be time to "get ready", you'll have to be ready. For this reason, some of us are finding out that Good is no longer Good Enough. God is calling us to a higher level. He's pruning and purging even as we speak (John 15). With such being the case, we have to identify and discern the Better that He is calling us to from the Good that we've established.
A good example of this is the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10). When the young man came running to Jesus, he asked the Lord what must he do to inherit eternal life. Jesus questioned why the young man referred to Him as Good. Then, when Jesus told him what was required in order to inherit eternal life, the rich young ruler said that he had observed them since he was a youth. This is impressive. There aren't too many of us that have kept the commandments from our youth. And Jesus did not correct him. But Jesus challenged him, and that's what He's doing with us today. For a lot of us, we've been faithful, we've been obedient, we've done what the Lord has called us to do. But now He wants to stretch our faith. Jesus told the young man to sell all that he had, take up his cross, and to follow Him. This is where the problem arose. His good was no longer Good Enough. And neither is ours. Jesus is calling all of us to sell out. Jesus is calling all of us to bear our cross. To sacrifice and suffer for the Cause of the Kingdom. The Lord is calling all of us to a closer walk with Him, no matter how close we are or have been.
Saints, let us not be like the rich young ruler. When he heard the call of Jesus, the scripture says that he walked away grieved, because he was not willing to part with his possessions (Mark 10). We too, if we're not careful, can find ourselves walking away from Jesus as well; not willing to part with and relinquish that for which He's calling us to abandon in order to fully follow Him. This is the Season saints where we must allow the Holy Spirit to circumcise our hearts and fix and adjust what the Lord is calling us to surrender to Him. We must establish a witness that submits to the Lord when He establishes that our Good is No Longer Good Enough.
The reason for this Shift is that God is changing some things and shifting some things, in order to further prepare us for what He's about to release in the earth. When it is released, there won't be time to "get ready", you'll have to be ready. For this reason, some of us are finding out that Good is no longer Good Enough. God is calling us to a higher level. He's pruning and purging even as we speak (John 15). With such being the case, we have to identify and discern the Better that He is calling us to from the Good that we've established.
A good example of this is the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10). When the young man came running to Jesus, he asked the Lord what must he do to inherit eternal life. Jesus questioned why the young man referred to Him as Good. Then, when Jesus told him what was required in order to inherit eternal life, the rich young ruler said that he had observed them since he was a youth. This is impressive. There aren't too many of us that have kept the commandments from our youth. And Jesus did not correct him. But Jesus challenged him, and that's what He's doing with us today. For a lot of us, we've been faithful, we've been obedient, we've done what the Lord has called us to do. But now He wants to stretch our faith. Jesus told the young man to sell all that he had, take up his cross, and to follow Him. This is where the problem arose. His good was no longer Good Enough. And neither is ours. Jesus is calling all of us to sell out. Jesus is calling all of us to bear our cross. To sacrifice and suffer for the Cause of the Kingdom. The Lord is calling all of us to a closer walk with Him, no matter how close we are or have been.
Saints, let us not be like the rich young ruler. When he heard the call of Jesus, the scripture says that he walked away grieved, because he was not willing to part with his possessions (Mark 10). We too, if we're not careful, can find ourselves walking away from Jesus as well; not willing to part with and relinquish that for which He's calling us to abandon in order to fully follow Him. This is the Season saints where we must allow the Holy Spirit to circumcise our hearts and fix and adjust what the Lord is calling us to surrender to Him. We must establish a witness that submits to the Lord when He establishes that our Good is No Longer Good Enough.
Monday, January 25, 2016
A Breakdown for a Breakthrough
Many people during this Season are waiting for a Breakthrough. Whether it's a financial breakthrough, a spiritual breakthrough, a relational breakthrough or even a ministerial breakthrough; people are waiting for God to do something that will turn things around in their lives. However, I am learning that before you can expect a Breakthrough from God, one must first expect a Breakdown for God. Either way, something has to break. This is the part of the Blessing of God that many of His children are not very receptive to. Before we can receive the Breakthrough, we must first experience the Breakdown.
Why must there be a Breakdown before the Breakthrough? Because for most of us, our current condition of heart is not conducive to receive and maintain the Level of Blessing that the Father has prepared for us as His children. Therefore, in order to make us ready, He has to break some things down in our lives and in our hearts in order that we may be in a place to receive the Blessing He has in store for us. This is not easy, and because of the difficulty of this Breakdown Process, a lot of Christians forego it, and consequently forfeit their Blessing. But this is not the Will of God. If we can endure the Breakdown Process, we will receive the Blessing that God has ordained for us.
Joseph had to go through this. Before he was promoted to the right hand of Pharoah and made the second in command over all of Egypt (Genesis 41), God had to break him down. The first part of the Breakdown was when his brothers sold him into Egyptian slavery (Genesis 37). Then the second part of the Breakdown was when Joseph got framed for attempted rape by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39). The last part of the Breakdown was when he had to spend two full years in the dungeon for a crime he didn't commit (Genesis 41). But after the Breakdown Process had expired, Joseph received the Breakthrough. He was released from prison, and God promoted him to be the ruler over all of Egypt, and to serve as the savior of the land and practically the world (Genesis 41).
Saints, no matter how hard it is for you right now, no matter how many breakdowns appear to be happening in your life: physically, financially, occupationally, relationally, ministerially. Don't give up! Don't lose heart. Don't give in. Know that your Breakthrough is on the way. Know that your promotion is even nearer than you think. Don't be weary in well-doing (Galtians 6). Don't let the Devil deceive you by saying to yourself "what's the use". There is a Divine Use in all that you're going through. God has Plans for your life and a Purpose for you to fulfill (Jeremiah 29). So be encouraged, and remember that there is A Breakdown for a Breakthrough.
Why must there be a Breakdown before the Breakthrough? Because for most of us, our current condition of heart is not conducive to receive and maintain the Level of Blessing that the Father has prepared for us as His children. Therefore, in order to make us ready, He has to break some things down in our lives and in our hearts in order that we may be in a place to receive the Blessing He has in store for us. This is not easy, and because of the difficulty of this Breakdown Process, a lot of Christians forego it, and consequently forfeit their Blessing. But this is not the Will of God. If we can endure the Breakdown Process, we will receive the Blessing that God has ordained for us.
Joseph had to go through this. Before he was promoted to the right hand of Pharoah and made the second in command over all of Egypt (Genesis 41), God had to break him down. The first part of the Breakdown was when his brothers sold him into Egyptian slavery (Genesis 37). Then the second part of the Breakdown was when Joseph got framed for attempted rape by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39). The last part of the Breakdown was when he had to spend two full years in the dungeon for a crime he didn't commit (Genesis 41). But after the Breakdown Process had expired, Joseph received the Breakthrough. He was released from prison, and God promoted him to be the ruler over all of Egypt, and to serve as the savior of the land and practically the world (Genesis 41).
Saints, no matter how hard it is for you right now, no matter how many breakdowns appear to be happening in your life: physically, financially, occupationally, relationally, ministerially. Don't give up! Don't lose heart. Don't give in. Know that your Breakthrough is on the way. Know that your promotion is even nearer than you think. Don't be weary in well-doing (Galtians 6). Don't let the Devil deceive you by saying to yourself "what's the use". There is a Divine Use in all that you're going through. God has Plans for your life and a Purpose for you to fulfill (Jeremiah 29). So be encouraged, and remember that there is A Breakdown for a Breakthrough.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
A Strategy for Holiness
The Lord is calling the church to Holiness. He says in His word in First Peter chapter one, "be ye holy, for I Am Holy". Holiness is not an option, it's a Divine Command. Some of us were not raised in ecclesiastical environments where the Holiness of God was stressed. Then there are others of us who may have been raised in a "holiness" church, but it was simply another word for "self-righteousness". Neither of these represent the Divine Will of God. There is a Standard of Holiness that God is calling His people to as we approach this Kingdom Movement. Therefore we must develop a strategic approach to insuring that the Holiness of God is manifested and established in our lives.
The first thing that the scripture says in the first chapter of First Peter is to "gird up the loins of your mind". This can be in reference to preparation for war, tucking certain things in, as it relates to your attire, that might make you trip and fall. We need to start "girding up". We must keep in mind saints, we are at War. It's been a "long time" since America has had an active war on our land. But for those countries that are at war, you understand that at anytime you could be under attack and that the threat of death is imminent. We don't live like this in America, but if you're going to be a soldier in the army of the Lord and embrace the Holiness of our God, you have to take this type of mental approach to your walk with Christ.
Then the scripture says to be Sober. There are too many Christians, including preachers, who are having "too much fun". I know this sounds weird, but what I mean is, all we're looking for is to have a good time. People go to church so they can "feel good". People want to hear a word that's going to "inspire" them, not cut them (Hebrews 4). People want the choir to entertain them, "but don't challenge me to worship" (Hebrews 13). Even the way we structure our lives is for our convenience, not the bearing of our cross (Matthew 16). We have to Sober up. If you've ever watched a sports team prepare for a big game like a championship, you'll notice that everyone on the team is very "serious". They have their "game face" on. Why? Because they are serious and focused regarding the task at hand. They're not playing, they're Sober.
Lastly, the scripture says, "as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance". Most of us, maybe not all, have had our struggles in wrestling with the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5). What I'm learning is that lust has to be "fashioned". You have to create an environment that is conducive to the activity and indulgence of the lusts of the flesh. This is why Romans 13 says, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ , and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof". Let us ask God for wisdom that we will learn to make certain decisions that will not foster and facilitate the indulgence of the flesh and the lusts thereof. If we are serious and sincere, God is Faithful to give us the Grace to effectively and successfully implement and execute A Strategy for Holiness.
The first thing that the scripture says in the first chapter of First Peter is to "gird up the loins of your mind". This can be in reference to preparation for war, tucking certain things in, as it relates to your attire, that might make you trip and fall. We need to start "girding up". We must keep in mind saints, we are at War. It's been a "long time" since America has had an active war on our land. But for those countries that are at war, you understand that at anytime you could be under attack and that the threat of death is imminent. We don't live like this in America, but if you're going to be a soldier in the army of the Lord and embrace the Holiness of our God, you have to take this type of mental approach to your walk with Christ.
Then the scripture says to be Sober. There are too many Christians, including preachers, who are having "too much fun". I know this sounds weird, but what I mean is, all we're looking for is to have a good time. People go to church so they can "feel good". People want to hear a word that's going to "inspire" them, not cut them (Hebrews 4). People want the choir to entertain them, "but don't challenge me to worship" (Hebrews 13). Even the way we structure our lives is for our convenience, not the bearing of our cross (Matthew 16). We have to Sober up. If you've ever watched a sports team prepare for a big game like a championship, you'll notice that everyone on the team is very "serious". They have their "game face" on. Why? Because they are serious and focused regarding the task at hand. They're not playing, they're Sober.
Lastly, the scripture says, "as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance". Most of us, maybe not all, have had our struggles in wrestling with the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5). What I'm learning is that lust has to be "fashioned". You have to create an environment that is conducive to the activity and indulgence of the lusts of the flesh. This is why Romans 13 says, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ , and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof". Let us ask God for wisdom that we will learn to make certain decisions that will not foster and facilitate the indulgence of the flesh and the lusts thereof. If we are serious and sincere, God is Faithful to give us the Grace to effectively and successfully implement and execute A Strategy for Holiness.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Where is the Love?
The water crisis in Flint, Michigan really makes one wonder about the level of compassion and concern that the government has for its people. For an entire city to be subjected to contaminated water and nobody be responsible for doing anything about it is a travesty. However, I believe its simply another indication of the ineptitude and incompetence of our governmental system, regardless of the level (local, state or national). But the question I want to raise today is, Where is the Love? Where is the love and concern for just the general welfare of people? Where is the Love?
Everybody is looking for Love, whether they realize it or not. The pain, the anger, the frustration, the violence, the murders: all of these are cries for Love. People aren't giving up on life and throwing in the towel simply because they don't want to live, they're looking for Love. But what most people don't realize is that in their quest for Love, they're actually looking for God. The bible says very clearly that God is Love (1John 4). What people really need and long for, whether they are fully conscious of it or not, is God, because He is Love.
God has designed every human being to have a personal relationship with Him. This is a fact because every human individual is made in the image of God (Genesis 1). The challenge is that this Divine Image can only be activated and actualized in concert and connection to a relationship with God. In other words, you can't fulfill who you were made to be if you're not intimately connected to the One who made you. This is where the majority of humanity is missing it, particularly in Western society. We live in a world that truly believes that we don't need God to survive. Oh sure, the concept of God, the theoretical existence of God, is not a bad idea; but it's not a necessity to my functioning as a human being. Wrong. Then people may "intellectually" believe in God, but aren't convinced that they need a relationship with God, let alone need to be sold out and surrendered to God, in order to be happy. Wrong again. This is why there is such a love deficit, because people are trying to be functional and successful in relationships without being in relationship with He who is Love and established the blueprint for loving relationships in the first place.
I can assure you saints, the days of people thinking that they can survive without God are about to change. Be not deceived. I know everything seems relatively rosy right now, but in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "we've got some difficult days ahead". When those difficult days come upon us, it will be incumbent upon the church to demonstrate and be a living witness of the Love of God. We won't have time to judge, we won't have time to condemn, all we must do is serve and love. Prayerfully at that time, the world won't look at the church and ask, Where is the Love?
Everybody is looking for Love, whether they realize it or not. The pain, the anger, the frustration, the violence, the murders: all of these are cries for Love. People aren't giving up on life and throwing in the towel simply because they don't want to live, they're looking for Love. But what most people don't realize is that in their quest for Love, they're actually looking for God. The bible says very clearly that God is Love (1John 4). What people really need and long for, whether they are fully conscious of it or not, is God, because He is Love.
God has designed every human being to have a personal relationship with Him. This is a fact because every human individual is made in the image of God (Genesis 1). The challenge is that this Divine Image can only be activated and actualized in concert and connection to a relationship with God. In other words, you can't fulfill who you were made to be if you're not intimately connected to the One who made you. This is where the majority of humanity is missing it, particularly in Western society. We live in a world that truly believes that we don't need God to survive. Oh sure, the concept of God, the theoretical existence of God, is not a bad idea; but it's not a necessity to my functioning as a human being. Wrong. Then people may "intellectually" believe in God, but aren't convinced that they need a relationship with God, let alone need to be sold out and surrendered to God, in order to be happy. Wrong again. This is why there is such a love deficit, because people are trying to be functional and successful in relationships without being in relationship with He who is Love and established the blueprint for loving relationships in the first place.
I can assure you saints, the days of people thinking that they can survive without God are about to change. Be not deceived. I know everything seems relatively rosy right now, but in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "we've got some difficult days ahead". When those difficult days come upon us, it will be incumbent upon the church to demonstrate and be a living witness of the Love of God. We won't have time to judge, we won't have time to condemn, all we must do is serve and love. Prayerfully at that time, the world won't look at the church and ask, Where is the Love?
Thursday, January 21, 2016
A Voiceless America
People are intrigued and in awe at the seeming success of the political phenomenon called Donald Trump. With some of his outlandish remarks and his brash style and tactics, a lot of people can't believe that he's still leading the polls as the Republican candidate for the Presidency of the United States. Keep in mind that not all of America is Republican, and that there are many Americans that would never vote for Mr. Trump. However, regardless of one's personal stance or opinion about him, he seems to have struck a cord with America that has allowed them to be supportive of him in this presidential race.
I am of the opinion that a lot of the "success" that Mr. Trump has had during this primary campaign is due not so much to his personal style or flair, but because of the sign of the times. One of the things that Mr. Trump has said I totally agree with: people are mad. The American people are mad, and I believe they feel betrayed. Where is the "Change" that President Obama talked about 8 years ago? The President and the Vice-President have acknowledged that while Corporate America is thriving, the wages of the worker are decreasing or stagnant at best. Who's working to change that problem? Our governmental system is inept and incompetent, and the American people are furious, disheartened and discouraged. The "in your face" style politics of Donald Trump is resonating with that segment of the population that represents what I'd like to describe as A Voiceless America.
The real disappointment for me is the expectation of the American people. This country seems to believe that the Government is going to fix their problems. I hate to say it, but it doesn't matter who's in office, Republican or Democrat; until the Rules of the Game change, the Results will stay the same. But I do have some Good News! There is another Governmental System that people can subscribe to that will meet every one of their needs (Philippians 4). I didn't say political party, I said Governmental System. People tend to forget that Jesus is a King. He's not just the Savior, He is the King of the Universe; and His Governmental System is called the Kingdom of God. That's why His Message was the Good News. If you study the Gospels, you'll notice that Jesus didn't spend a lot of time (if any) talking about His Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection. But yet His Message was the Good News. Why? Because the Jews understood that as the Christ, Jesus the Messiah represented a brand new Order of Government that would establish a whole New Way of Life for the children of Israel (John 6). This is what America is looking for today; someone in governmental authority that can help change their way of life.
Jesus is still Alive today, and His Kingdom as readily available as it was 2,000 years ago. The problem is that the church won't represent that Jesus. We want to represent a "religionized" Jesus, not a Resurrected Christ who has ALL POWER in Heaven and earth in His Hands. If we were representing "that" Jesus, we would reflect and manifest the same Power that He demonstrated while He was here on earth. But as I've said on numerous occasions, A Kingdom Movement is about to be released in the earth. And when it is, people won't be looking to an Obama, people won't be looking to a Donald Trump, people won't looking for the next Martin Luther King, Jr. or John F. Kennedy, or whoever. They'll be looking to Jesus! And people will finally realize that Jesus the Christ, the Resurrected King and Emperor, is the answer for A Voiceless America.
I am of the opinion that a lot of the "success" that Mr. Trump has had during this primary campaign is due not so much to his personal style or flair, but because of the sign of the times. One of the things that Mr. Trump has said I totally agree with: people are mad. The American people are mad, and I believe they feel betrayed. Where is the "Change" that President Obama talked about 8 years ago? The President and the Vice-President have acknowledged that while Corporate America is thriving, the wages of the worker are decreasing or stagnant at best. Who's working to change that problem? Our governmental system is inept and incompetent, and the American people are furious, disheartened and discouraged. The "in your face" style politics of Donald Trump is resonating with that segment of the population that represents what I'd like to describe as A Voiceless America.
The real disappointment for me is the expectation of the American people. This country seems to believe that the Government is going to fix their problems. I hate to say it, but it doesn't matter who's in office, Republican or Democrat; until the Rules of the Game change, the Results will stay the same. But I do have some Good News! There is another Governmental System that people can subscribe to that will meet every one of their needs (Philippians 4). I didn't say political party, I said Governmental System. People tend to forget that Jesus is a King. He's not just the Savior, He is the King of the Universe; and His Governmental System is called the Kingdom of God. That's why His Message was the Good News. If you study the Gospels, you'll notice that Jesus didn't spend a lot of time (if any) talking about His Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection. But yet His Message was the Good News. Why? Because the Jews understood that as the Christ, Jesus the Messiah represented a brand new Order of Government that would establish a whole New Way of Life for the children of Israel (John 6). This is what America is looking for today; someone in governmental authority that can help change their way of life.
Jesus is still Alive today, and His Kingdom as readily available as it was 2,000 years ago. The problem is that the church won't represent that Jesus. We want to represent a "religionized" Jesus, not a Resurrected Christ who has ALL POWER in Heaven and earth in His Hands. If we were representing "that" Jesus, we would reflect and manifest the same Power that He demonstrated while He was here on earth. But as I've said on numerous occasions, A Kingdom Movement is about to be released in the earth. And when it is, people won't be looking to an Obama, people won't be looking to a Donald Trump, people won't looking for the next Martin Luther King, Jr. or John F. Kennedy, or whoever. They'll be looking to Jesus! And people will finally realize that Jesus the Christ, the Resurrected King and Emperor, is the answer for A Voiceless America.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Developing Satanic Resistance
As we continue to press through the beginning of 2016, we need to remain mindful that the Lord is Moving. No matter what is going on in your life personally, please, do not be deceived; God is still on the Throne and His Divine Will is being executed even as we speak. That being said, we need to remember that Kingdom Advancement in the earth is about Warfare. We may be sleeping, but the Devil is not. He understands the Power of God much more than we do. So even he is preparing for the Move of God that is going to hit the earth. Therefore, we must remain prepared and on watch for the Manifestation of our Master. The King Is Coming.
For this reason, it is imperative that we remain alert and make sure that we are Developing Satanic Resistance. Once again, this is War. Christianity and the advancement of the Kingdom of God isn't about feeling good and going to church. It's about taking territory for the Kingdom of God and winning souls for Christ. This irritates the Devil and his demons, and makes us targets for attack. Yet we need not fear, because Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world (1John 4). This is not the time to be lackadaisical. This is not the time to get slothful. This is the time to get on edge! This is the time to let the Holy Ghost get you on fire! Because when the Move of God hits, you won't have time to get warmed up, you'll have to already be on Fire.
The scripture says in first Peter chapter five, "Be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour". Are you sober? This means focused and mentally alert. Are you being prudent and discerning in regards to the various decisions that you're making in your life? The opposite of sober is intoxicated, which means the experience of some type of slight if not severe mental impairment. Don't let some situation or circumstance get you "out of your mind". It doesn't always have to be alcohol or something pleasure related. It can be a relationship and your feelings for someone. It can be a job opportunity that you're really "excited" about. It can be an upcoming event that you're looking forward to. Or even something or somebody negative that you've just gotten carried away with and preoccupied. Stay Sober. Stay focused and locked in to the things God is calling you to do.
Vigilant. One of the greatest challenges that the church is experiencing right now is the spirit of being "laid-back". It's not that we don't care, it's not that we're indifferent, but there's no intensity to what we do. Everybody seems to want to just "go with the flow". Everybody wants to be as "stress-free" as possible. I'm definitely not a proponent of unnecessary stress, but some stress is necessary. How much stress do you think Jesus had to endure just to get psychologically prepared to "bear" the Cross? The bible says, in Him just praying about it He was sweating blood (Hebrews 12). That's being Vigilant. We've got to adopt an attitude now that says we're going to win at all cost. Whatever we have to do, that's what we're going to do, in order that the Divine Will of God may be executed and fulfilled in our lives. When the Devil strikes, we already have the strategy from the Holy Ghost to counter-attack. When traps are set, we'll be assertive and aggressive to insure that the Victory will be manifested in our lives. It's Time saints. It's time to get ready to go to Battle for the Kingdom of God. But if we're going to Win, we must make sure that we're Developing Satanic Resistance.
For this reason, it is imperative that we remain alert and make sure that we are Developing Satanic Resistance. Once again, this is War. Christianity and the advancement of the Kingdom of God isn't about feeling good and going to church. It's about taking territory for the Kingdom of God and winning souls for Christ. This irritates the Devil and his demons, and makes us targets for attack. Yet we need not fear, because Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world (1John 4). This is not the time to be lackadaisical. This is not the time to get slothful. This is the time to get on edge! This is the time to let the Holy Ghost get you on fire! Because when the Move of God hits, you won't have time to get warmed up, you'll have to already be on Fire.
The scripture says in first Peter chapter five, "Be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour". Are you sober? This means focused and mentally alert. Are you being prudent and discerning in regards to the various decisions that you're making in your life? The opposite of sober is intoxicated, which means the experience of some type of slight if not severe mental impairment. Don't let some situation or circumstance get you "out of your mind". It doesn't always have to be alcohol or something pleasure related. It can be a relationship and your feelings for someone. It can be a job opportunity that you're really "excited" about. It can be an upcoming event that you're looking forward to. Or even something or somebody negative that you've just gotten carried away with and preoccupied. Stay Sober. Stay focused and locked in to the things God is calling you to do.
Vigilant. One of the greatest challenges that the church is experiencing right now is the spirit of being "laid-back". It's not that we don't care, it's not that we're indifferent, but there's no intensity to what we do. Everybody seems to want to just "go with the flow". Everybody wants to be as "stress-free" as possible. I'm definitely not a proponent of unnecessary stress, but some stress is necessary. How much stress do you think Jesus had to endure just to get psychologically prepared to "bear" the Cross? The bible says, in Him just praying about it He was sweating blood (Hebrews 12). That's being Vigilant. We've got to adopt an attitude now that says we're going to win at all cost. Whatever we have to do, that's what we're going to do, in order that the Divine Will of God may be executed and fulfilled in our lives. When the Devil strikes, we already have the strategy from the Holy Ghost to counter-attack. When traps are set, we'll be assertive and aggressive to insure that the Victory will be manifested in our lives. It's Time saints. It's time to get ready to go to Battle for the Kingdom of God. But if we're going to Win, we must make sure that we're Developing Satanic Resistance.
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