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Trust Issues

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Jeremiah 17:5-8 ERV; This is what the Lord says:
“Bad things will happen to those who put their trust in people.  Bad things will happen to those who depend on human strength. That is because they have stopped trusting the Lord.  They are like a bush in a desert where no one lives.  It is in a hot and dry land.  It is in bad soil. That bush does not know about the good things that God can give.

 “But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. They know that the Lord will do what he says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit.”

You simply cannot do both-try to figure out a way to do it in your own abilities and trust in the Lord. You may start out right, “I’m going to trust you to do this, Lord,” but as it gets down to the deadline and you don’t see anything happening, you’ll borrow money, finagle things around to MAKE it happen yourself, and each time you do it, you erode your trust in the Lord. You’ll lose your confidence in His word and become self-sufficient. I know, I’ve done it so many times myself.

I’ve had God back me into a corner with absolutely no escape and ask me, “Will you let me take care of this?” I had to be honest with Him (I’ve learned over the years you simply can’t hide things from Him because He knows everything anyways), and tell Him I’m having a problem with trusting You. I know that You CAN do it, I’m just not sure You WILL do it for me. So He took me for a journey in His Word and showed me that I am His child and an heir to His covenant. That I was made righteous by the work that Jesus did, not by the works that I do. He showed me that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me and that everything I need or will ever need is inside of me. That the key to accessing the power that is always at work in me is trust.

Oh my, thus began my journey in trusting Him in small things, like a headache, a bill that’s due, my children, a job. The fact is, the more I trust God and His abilities to work all things out for His glory, the more I get to enjoy His goodness, grace and mercy. I simply seek after Him, spend time in His presence getting to know Him, reading His Word, asking for wisdom and greater understanding and as I respond out of obedience to His sometimes odd requests, He works everything out and I give Him the glory for it. I’m learning that I’m just His daughter and a reflection of who He is while I’m in this earth. I can rest in the knowledge of who I am and whose I am.

Father, I pray for my friends who read this today. May they know You as I’ve come to know You. You are so good and are always looking for ways to wow us. Everyday when I get up in the morning, I feel You tugging on my arm to come sit with You and everyday I respond, ‘I’m coming!’ The peace and rest I walk in is what I want them to walk in today. Give them the assurance that You are the same God to all of Your children and You want them to be blessed as well. I know that regardless of how things look right now, ALL things work out for my good because I love You and trust that You are good. It’s in Jesus Name I pray, Amen

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Why, God? Why?

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Isaiah 45:9-10 ERV; “Look at these people! They are arguing with the one who made them. Look at them argue with me. They are like pieces of clay from a broken pot. Clay does not say to the one molding it, ‘Man, what are you doing?’ Things that are made don’t have the power to question the one who makes them.  A father gives life to his children, and they cannot ask, ‘Why are you giving me life?’ They cannot question their mother and ask, ‘Why are you giving birth to me?’”

Why God? Why? Why was I born? Why am I going through this? When will I get what I need? When will my healing be manifested? Why don’t I have my house yet? What are you up to, God? I wouldn’t do it that way, I’d do it this way! Sounds silly, right? But how many times a day do we question God? I know I have! Questioning is not just mere curiosity, it’s a sign of mistrust. We love to be in control of everything and when we’re not, it makes us question.

I was reminded recently that God is sovereign. That word means; a person who has supreme power or authority. That means, there is no one higher than Him, no one greater, He is it. The very one who created everything, even us, has a plan and purpose for everything we go through. He is sovereign. When we trust Him, we don’t stress over it because we know He has our very best in store for us. We know that all things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose. We know that when we trust in the Lord and do good, we will dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.

Father, forgive my questioning and our doubting, it only shows how little I trust You. I will say of You Lord, You are my refuge and fortress, my God in who I will trust. There is nothing to fear for I know my steps are ordered by you and everything will work out according to Your plans for me. When I’m hungry, I will turn it into a fast to you. When I’m tired, I will lay my head on Your lap and take a nap, resting in You. Nothing is too hard for you! You created the world, the sky and all that is in it. The things I go through are so small. You have planned out my life from beginning to end and I will trust in You. You are sovereign and everything I need has already been provided for me. I will thank You and praise You for there is no one who has more power than You. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

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Taking Back Our Authority

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Revelation 1:5b-6; To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,  and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 2:9; But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Did you know that no one can change who you are? You will always be you! You have two donors, your father and your mother, their combined contributions created you. Doesn’t matter if you’re adopted, if your parents have passed away, you are you and that cannot be changed. What you go through and are taught, that shapes you into who you think you are, but the real you is determined by the blood that runs through your veins.

By believing in Jesus Christ and what he did for us on the cross, we become Gods very own people. His Spirit is joined with our spirit making us a force to be reckoned with. Nothing that happens in life changes the fact that we are kings and priests in the Kingdom of God. The only thing that keeps us from operating in our full authority is that we listen to the wrong voice who deceives us into thinking we are nothing and no one. It never changes WHO we are, but it makes us ineffective and powerless to operate as we were created to.

What would happen if we took our crowns back? What would happen if we spent time with the King having our minds renewed to the truth of who we are and the authority we have? If we allowed our King to show us the treasures of His Kingdom, the riches of His glory, the creative power in our tongues? The resurrection power we possess? Would we live differently? Would we speak differently? Would we love differently? Would we do as He commanded us, to lay hands on the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons? Would we?

Father, we have believed the lie of our enemy and it has damned us to be powerless and ineffective. We renounce the lie and we take back the authority you gave us. We take back our rights and privileges.  We have been placed in right standing with you because of Jesus and the blood He shed, so we take what is rightfully ours. According to Ephesians 6:10 we are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. So we clothe ourselves for battle, knowing that THIS fight has been won. We take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day we live in, and having done all, to stand. We take back our authority and the power of Your word to wield our sword, the sword of the spirit. We take up our shield of faith to quench every fiery dart satan may throw our way. It’s in Jesus Name and the Blood that is ours to claim, Amen.

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Make the 1st 10 Your Best 10

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John 4:24, “God is spirit. So the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
If you’re too busy to spend time with God, you’re too busy. Adjust your schedule, break stubborn habits, remove obstacles and hindrances. Find a quiet place void of distractions. Come with no agenda but to worship. No asking for anything, just an audience of one, singing your own song, making your praise about Him. 10 minutes. 10 minutes every morning. It’s such a small token of time when He’s given you the breath you breathe. If you find it hard to fill 10 minutes, begin to make a list of things you’re thankful for and read them off to Him.
Soon, 10 minutes won’t be enough. You’ll find yourself setting your alarm earlier and earlier. His presence is addicting. Your spirit will begin to crave time with His Spirit until you can’t stop thinking of Him. All throughout the day and when you wake at night, you’ll begin to hear Him calling you to that secret place where He can be with you and make you like Him. Then one day He’ll ask if you’re ready to be completely His, laying down your life long dreams, plans and hopes for a journey with Him. It’s when you say yes, forever yes, that your life becomes one with Him and all that matters is what pleases Him. Loving others isn’t hard anymore. Giving becomes second nature. All that He is, becomes all that you are. By giving up, you gain so much more. By surrendering, you gain access to everything He has. What a great trade-off! Worship-it’s a game changer!
Father, I worship You this morning. I praise Your holy name, the name that is above all names. You are my King, my Lord, my savior, my everything. You protect me going in and coming out. Your name is great and greatly to be praised. I lift up Your holy name today. I exalt You, great God. No one like you in all the earth. None can compare to Your greatness. I thank you for Your love, Your tender mercies, Your grace, the peace You give passes all understanding. It guards my heart and keeps my mind stable and steadfast to do Your will. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen
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Pigs and Purses

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We are all familiar with the story of the prodigal son. This morning I would like to start in the middle of the story to make a point, so bear with me.

Luke 15:13-20; “A few days later the younger son gathered up all that he had and left. He traveled far away to another country, and there he wasted his money living like a fool.  After he spent everything he had, there was a terrible famine throughout the country. He was hungry and needed money.  So he went and got a job with one of the people who lived there. The man sent him into the fields to feed pigs. He was so hungry that he wanted to eat the food the pigs were eating. But no one gave him anything.

“The son realized that he had been very foolish. He thought, ‘All my father’s hired workers have plenty of food. But here I am, almost dead because I have nothing to eat.  I will leave and go to my father. I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and have done wrong to you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But let me be like one of your hired workers.’  So he left and went to his father.”

Sometimes we ask for the blessing of God because we have our own agenda. It’s not that Gods not willing to bless us, He is. But He also knows our deep, hidden plans and what we really want to do with what He gives us. We think we’re pulling the wool over His eyes. We think that if we give large offerings, God will somehow know what we intend on doing with what He gives us, but when He blesses us, the first thing we do is satisfy the deep cravings of our flesh.

It’s not until the money’s gone and we lose everything, that we come to our senses and realize that our Fathers servants have it better than we. ‘If I can just go home and be a servant in the family business, at least I’ll have a decent job, a place to sleep and not be hungry anymore’. But there is one thing we are not nor will we ever be, a servant. We are sons and daughters, and though we may not think we deserve it after all we’ve done, it doesn’t change who we are.

Having my own agenda places me in a position I was never meant for; it renders me powerless. It shifts responsibility from God to me. Trading my agenda for my Fathers and surrendering to Him, I’m positioned for His power to work through me. It shifts responsibility from me to Him. Just as little children don’t work for a living but allow their father to provide for them, so we like little children allow our Father to provide for us. We are always His sons and daughters. That is what the devil is after and what he will never have, your DNA.

Father, I’m so excited to lay down my plans and purposes for Your Kingdom which is in me. Regardless of the mistakes I’ve made and the plans I’ve had, I will always be Your daughter, destined for greatness, backed by Your authority. I have dominion over everything because Jesus gave it to me. Give me wisdom and discernment so that I may know what to do, where to go and never be without Your grace and love. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

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Giving God Access

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In Genesis 26, I’m reading about a famine in the land and a promise that supersedes it. Just as God spoke to his father Abraham, now He’s talking to Isaac. He tells him to stay where he is, obey His voice and He would bless him. He didn’t say, ‘Wait till after the famine is over, because My word doesn’t work in the dry times!’ No, God was showing Isaac that his blessing wasn’t based on his surrounding circumstances, but on His word.

In spite of the lie he told to King Abimelech about Rebecca being his sister instead of his wife, look what happened during the famine;  Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him.  The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous;  for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants.

God’s not concerned with our economy, the stock market or your current bank balance. When He promised to bless you, He wasn’t talking about just spiritual blessings, He wants to bless you financially, physically, socially and economically. He wants to bless you not for your own plans and purposes, but for His own. He wants people to look at you and know that your blessing could have only come from Him, not the lottery, an inheritance, from Him.

Look what happened next; So the Philistines envied him.  Now the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth.  And (King) Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.” Do you see that? He had more might, power and wealth than the king himself. They became envious and tried to stop up the flow of money to him in the only way they could. But guess what? You can’t stop Gods blessing! No one can! It’s wealth that only comes from Him and when you give him access to all you have, He will give back far more than you can even imagine.

Father, again my heart is overwhelmed with the greatness of Your plans for me. According to Deuteronomy 28:8, You command the blessing on me and on everything I set my hand to, it prospers. Forgive me for limiting Your work by not giving you full access to what I have. I know now that though you are all powerful, You are not authorized until I give it to you because when Jesus died, He gave me all authority in the earth. Forgive me for not taking my authority and ruling on the earth as You commanded. I don’t know how to do that until you teach me and You can’t teach me until I submit myself to You my teacher. Speak to me, Lord. Teach me Your ways that I may walk in them all the days of my life. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

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Stop Blaming God For What You Don’t Have and Thank Him For What You do Have!

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“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

We were created in the image and likeness of God. If you doubt this, read Genesis 1:27. We forget that we were made to rule and reign in the earth. Short version of the story goes like this; God gave Adam authority to rule and reign over all the earth. He gave his authority to Satan who ruled until Jesus came, died on the cross, took all authority back from the devil, gave it back to us and told us to rule as kings and priests, He himself being the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

So, why aren’t we reigning? Why aren’t we ruling? Why aren’t we taking the authority given to us and raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out demons? Our problem is that we simply don’t believe. Think about that. The children of Israel were told that the Promised Land was theirs, but when Joshua and Caleb came back with the report of abundance, they wanted to stone them. Too afraid to possess what was theirs. Even though God had led them out of captivity and protected and watched over them day and night, they just didn’t believe He could fulfill His promise to them.

After all they saw, they just couldn’t trust God. Lots of blaming went on, but not so much trust. They had been slaves for so long that they couldn’t wrap their minds around the fact they were free, favored and that the God who did all of that, was well able to deliver to them the land. All they had to do was possess it but they just couldn’t believe.

I see many of us living our lives the same way. We’ve been slaves for so long, we can’t believe we are truly free and with that freedom, comes authority to rule and reign. We’re still working for what’s been given to us. We own the land but we’re still trying to work for it. We own the house but we’re still trying to buy it. We have healing, but we’re still trying to earn it. Our problem is a belief problem; even though God said it, we just don’t believe it.

Father, I thank You for the power and authority You have given to me, Your daughter. Today, I will act like a princess, walk like a princess and talk like a princess. As my King, You’ve already given me everything I will ever need for life and godliness, I just have to believe it, receive it and walk in it. How can I fail when You lead and guide me. How can I fear when You are my shield. Your rod and staff comfort me. That means that when I stray from You, Your staff will bring me back. My heart trusts in You and Your plans for me. Your promises are true and they are for all who will believe. Open my heart and mind to receive what You’ve purposed me to possess. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

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How Will God Know Me?

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Matthew 7:21-23 Amp; “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’

As I read this verse, I realized that Jesus was talking about believers and I asked Him, “Lord, if they thought they were doing good in Your name, but You said You didn’t know them, what hope is there for any of us?” This is what I felt Him speaking to me; When you truly submit your life to me, surrendering all of your passions and desires, dreams and goals so that I can work in you and through you, I will know you’re My disciples by your love. I am love and My own will respond in love.

Matthew 22:37-40 shows a lawyer coming to Jesus asking what the greatest commandment of the law. Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  That’s it. That’s the greatest commandment, loving God with all our hearts and when we do this, that love will spill over onto our neighbors. We won’t need to wonder if He’ll know us, we will already know He knows us because we will walk with Him and talk with Him everyday and every hour.

Father, everything I do, may I do it out of the love I have for you. May I stay surrendered and submitted to Your call love. May Your love prompt me to mercy, grace and forgiveness just as You have given so much of these to me. Help me to reflect the light of Your love to those in my path so that they may be drawn to this wonderful, deep and cleansing love of Yours. May my voice be Your voice. May my song be unto You. May my motives be pure and untainted, all for Your glory. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

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Two-Timin Mind

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James 1:2-7, “ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

The attitude of gratitude during the cultivation of faith, produces patience. WOW! So when I find myself becoming impatient because things aren’t going the way I think they should, I’m actually postponing the realization of what I’m standing in faith for. But if I let little Miss Patience do her thing, I will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Well no wonder I’m so far from perfect; I’m so impatient.

Have you ever prayed for something, than allowed your thoughts to play ping pong? Back and forth, back and forth. One moment you’re speaking the Word of healing, the next minute you’re thinking about going to see a doctor. One moment you’re praising God for His word, the next moment you’re checking the internet for your symptoms. No wonder we don’t get what we’ve asked for. We’re double-minded or as we used to say, ‘two-timin’.  You can’t be in a relationship with light and darkness at the same time; light dispels the darkness! You can’t get in bed with truth and wake up with lies; you must know the truth because only the truth sets you free.

Father, I’ve oscillated between two opinions for far too long. I need help that only comes from You. Please help me to be patient! I want to have that calm assurance deep inside of me that when You said it, it was settled in heaven and on earth. Every promise is mine. Your promise of peace, provision, prosperity, all mine. May I learn to praise You in the middle of the process so that it takes the place of that ‘two-timin’ spirit that wants to steal my promise. It’s in Jesus name I pray. Amen

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Double For Your Service

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Isaiah 61:6-7 NASB, “But you will be called the priests of the Lord; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.  Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs.”

You shall be called the priests of the Lord. You see, 1 Peter 2:9 says that “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” So He’s not just talking about the man or woman who stands before the congregation on Sunday morning; He’s talking about YOU!

So when He also speaks of ‘wealth and riches’ and ‘double portion’, He is also taking about YOU. You see, that’s what the grace of God does, it makes it available to you even though you don’t deserve it. It’s like being placed in the will of a billionaire simply because of his benevolence. Just one thing you need to remember; “You will be spoken of as ministers of our God.” Do you know what it means to minister? It means to be a servant, to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities. We are to do things for Him that He asks us to do.

What? You mean life isn’t suppose to be all about me? That’s right. The bible also says that as we do it to the least of those around us, we’ve done it to Him. When we serve our boss, we’re serving God-do your best. When we help someone less fortunate, we’re helping God. When we feed and clothe the poor, we’re feeding and clothing God. Those are the ones who are ministers to God. He keeps track of your service and promises to reward you double for your trouble.

Thank you Lord for the double portion of blessing. I’m not only blessed in my doing, I’m blessed by You FOR doing. I am rich because You became poor for me. I am healed because You took all my sickness upon Yourself. Please help me today to be aware of opportunities to love, give and forgive and as I do it, may I be the best lover, giver and forgiver. I want to be a daughter You can be proud to call Your own. I know that if I don’t do these things, I’m not serving You. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that is on me to remind me that I am not here for myself but for You and Your Kingdom. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen