Tag: God

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Preparing for Spiritual Warfare: Strategies for Victory in the Ultimate Days

To experience peace, we must first win all battles. The enemy is always engaging us in battles known and unknown. We need the Holy Spirit to help us fight these wars. To receive divine intelligence, we must position ourselves in God’s presence where we can avail of the high-speed download of information when analyzed provides strategies to defeat the enemy before they even think of striking. Satan is angrier these days and persistently looks for every soul that he can cast into the pit of hell. Hence the urgency to stay ahead of the enemy if we want to enter the kingdom of GOD.

We live in the ultimate days of earth, tumultuous times. It is not a time of peace and safety, but sudden destruction (1Thessalonians 5:3). As God’s people, we must be sober, vigilant (1 Peter 5:8), and walk as wise while remaining girded for war in the heavens because our battles are always spiritual (Ephesians 6:10-18). God promised to fight for us, but we must know when there is a battle and call on Him for help. Today, God’s people must pray 7 times daily and praise equally. Satan has overtaken many of us through laziness, worldliness, idleness, sleep, drunkenness, envy, and greed. Rise God’s people because a storm is coming, a storm that is likened to no other. We must prepare our minds, bodies, and souls to be transformed to God’s kingdom.

There is a work for everyone to do. We must diligently labor to guard our souls and labor for the souls of others. Let us love each other as children of God because, without brotherly love, we will not see the face of God (1 John 4:7-21). Let us cast off the heavyweights of malice, hate, covetousness, strife, self-righteousness, bitterness, unforgiveness, and lawlessness, and cry out to God. He willingly forgives the repentant heart that confesses and turns away from all iniquity (1 John 1:9). Those who profess to love Christ must crucify themselves daily and be willing to bear the cross of Christ as He did for us. Let us start by spending one prayerful hour daily with God just sitting in His presence and allowing Him to lead and direct our days. We will forget ourselves as our hearts become sensitive to God’s voice through reading His word and applying it to our hearts. God gives us wisdom to make excellent decisions in every area of our lives.

God is calling a special group of people; modern-day Enoch, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, and Deborah to stand up for Him. He wants to give us greater power than witnessed on Earth. These days beg it. Jesus said that we would do a greater work than He did (John 14:11-12), and He did everything; raise the dead, heal the sick, cast out demons, get money from a fish’s mouth, turn water into wine, and multiply the food that fed multitudes. The days of amazing, divine impossibilities and amazing are here! Let us tap into the high-voltage powerhouse of God, where our spirits will charge with spiritual explosions in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to finish the work of the Lord in our time!

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SHIFTING THINGS AROUND CAN UNCOVER NEW THINGS

I recently moved to another state and my internet box was waiting outside my apartment upon arrival.  I tackled the setup the next day because I was not in the mood to do it right away. The next day, I was excited about reconnecting with the outside world and continuing my outreach. However, there was one problem: I couldn’t locate the indoor connection. I had in my mind what it looked like from previous experiences and it never occurred to me that there might be a new way in another state.  I delayed setting up the internet because I didn’t want to be bothered.  Then came day two, and I needed to be online and must figure it out. Hence, I began the arduous task of shifting some boxes around.  To my amazement, the boxes hid the points, and in no time; I had internet service. I lost two days because I was not willing to look intentionally earlier.

My mind went back to an experience I had in my Junior year in college. I was a business major and taking a class in entrepreneurship among my other classes. They invited a wealthy business leader in the community to give a lecture about how to become a successful entrepreneur. He said one secret to becoming successful in business is the willingness to uncover new territories. He closed his lecture with this question; are you willing to explore new territories? Many of us were very skeptical because, for some of us, it was just making the grade because we had no interest in business ownership. We reluctantly answered in the affirmative. He gave us a task which was to overturn our chairs. Everyone gasped with excitement when they found a brand new $10 bill taped underneath their seats. The class gave him a resounding applause not just for the money but for the invaluable, simple practical lesson he taught us that day.

How many times do we get stuck in a rut and choose to remain there because we are too lazy to move things around, or don’t want to make the effort? Has it ever occurred to you that you might find something of value or learn something new that might change your life? God wants us to live joyfully each day despite the challenges we might experience in our lives. When we apply a positive approach, it can help to find solutions or help us push through a very difficult situation.

As Christians, we often become stuck with rituals and routines. God wants us to grow in our walk with Him and He expects us to ask big. 1 Chronicle 4:9-10 introduces Jabez’s character as being honorable. However, his name meant sorrow because his mother had a difficult time with his birth. One would think that he would go about life feeling sorry for himself. Jabez knew the God of his fathers and that with Him there were no limits. Therefore, he boldly stated his petition to the God of Israel, our God: Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me and that thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me. And God granted him what he requested. God wants to grant our requests. Let us do our part by studying His word, praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit. He is the same God. Let’s allow Him to surprise us by praying bold prayers today!

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GOD WILL SEND HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

1 SAMUEL 17:1-51

Saul, the King of Israel had a war on his hands. They were going up against the Philistine’s giant, Goliath. He breathed fear into the minds of every soldier in Israel’s army. He taunted and terrified them as he asked for a man to fight him on the condition if he wins Israel would become their slave and vice versa.

David walked into this milieu when he was asked by his father to take food to his three older brothers who were in the army. Upon his arrival, David left his carriage in the hands of the valet and hurried towards the army where he greeted his brothers. He was in the midst of a conversation with them about the war when Goliath showed up and cursed them. The men of Israel became afraid and fled. They looked defeated and spoke about being defeated. However, in the midst of the despair, someone mentioned that whoever defeated the giant would receive; wealth, royal marriage, and freedom in their father’s house. David showed interest in this and asked for more clarification. He referred to Goliath as an uncircumcised philistine who was defying the army of the living God.

His oldest brother became angry and questioned his motive for coming and insinuated that he left their father’s sheep without help. He accused him of being prideful and naughty. Sounds like jealousy, right? In his defense, David asked if he had wronged him and if there wasn’t a cause for him to be there. He turned away from his brother to another person and he continued to voice his concerns. When family members, friends, coworkers, and enemies try to stop us from fulfilling our divine calling we must step away from them and seek answers elsewhere.

Finally, Saul heard about David and sent for him. David encouraged Saul by advising him that he was willing to go to the battlefront to fight for Israel. Saul initially discouraged him by reminding him that he was just a boy and that Goliath was experienced as a man of war. This did not deter David. Instead, he proceeded to recite his track record: Killed a bear and recovered lamb and killed a lion and recovered lamb. He went against the toughest opponent and won. He added that Goliath would be next. Most importantly he told the king that it was God who gave him the victory over these powerful beasts.

Saul was convinced by the bravado of this young boy and agreed to place him in the war. He armed him with his armor, brass helmet, and coat of mail and David girded his sword. David hesitated because something didn’t feel right. He believed in the power of God to deliver with a minimal approach and he took off his protection and handed them back to Saul stating he could not use them. he took what was familiar; his staff, and five smooth stones which he placed in his shepherd’s bag. He kept his sling in his hand while he advanced toward his enemy. Goliath drew near as well with his shield-bearer in front. Although it appeared like David was alone; he had the heavenly army with him.

Goliath disdained David. He felt insulted that they sent a boy to fight him. He hurled abuse at him and his God while threatening to kill him and let the birds and beasts have a meal of him. Finally, David spoke these profound words, “you come to me with sword, spear, and shield, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom thou defies”. He was sure that God would deliver him and told Goliath in no uncertain terms that you’re a dead man and that his God would be glorified that day. He finished his testimony by declaring that the battle was God’s and that he had the victory!

As he stood up to his giant he came near to David. David ran towards him and took out his stone slung it and Goliath fell down. Now their champion was dead and they were running from Israel who chased them and wounded them and took their possessions. Why was David sure he would defeat Goliath? He knew God through a solid relationship with Him and had proved Him many times. How wonderful it would be if when we face trials we glorified God and declare victory without seeing the outcome. David was willing to die for his fellowmen that day and God assured him victory. He wants to fight for you today. Just remember the battle is the Lords!

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A JOYFUL HEART LOVES OTHERS

A joyful heart is like medicine. ( Proverbs 17:22)

Our hearts are intricate organs that sit at the center of our chests. They keep us alive daily by pumping blood throughout our bodies as our heart beats. It sends blood, which provides oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body while carrying away unwanted carbon dioxide and waste products. (NHSInform.Scot).

A happy and joyful heart is like medicine. We must agree with the Psalmist David that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139.4). We serve a God who took the time to ensure that He gives us everything that we need in our bodies to function and live a healthy life. From our lungs that give us the air we breathe, our digestive organs that provide nourishment from the food we eat and our excretory organs, which play a vital role in removing toxic wastes from our bodies. We would not exist for long without the function of our hearts. Hence, we cannot help but serve God with a heart of gratitude, appreciation, thankfulness, and love. 

We were given this amazing gift of life, therefore; it behoves us to think about what our hearts go through daily to sustain us. To show our appreciation, we should take it easy on our hearts by being kind to others. God gave us hearts to love and cherish each other, not to destroy them with cruel hate, bitterness and unforgiveness. When we are nasty, mean, unforgiving and unkind, we not only hurt other people’s hearts but ours too. Because the heart is the seat of all emotions, unhealthy thoughts place undue stress on our hearts, and they literally become hardened and restrict the flow of blood, which can cause blockages and result in death and disability. 

Let us choose to forgive the way God has forgiven because to those of us who were given more of us, more is expected, especially those of us who are believers. Our lives are unhappy because we do not love the way God asks us to love Him with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27). Let your heart be at the center of everything you do. Serve with joy and gladness. This makes our hearts happier, and a happy heart means a longer life. Since you have it in your power to protect your heart, why don’t you adopt a gentler approach when dealing with others? After all, we are one in Christ and there is no segregation, discrimination, or annihilation. He is a God of love, justice, and equity for all His children, which includes you, me, and everyone on this planet.  He created us to be a community to help those who are helpless, poor, needy, anxious, afraid, or lost their way. Let us emulate the love of God in our lives today and let others see your heart in everything you do. 

I challenge you today to give someone a giant hug today. It could be a spouse, friend, family member or just a total stranger. Let your heart touch someone else’s heart today and let them feel that life force of abundant love flowing from your heart to theirs.

As you contemplate your life and God’s plans for you. May you find love, hope and encouragement in the words of this old hymn below, which I believed were spoken directly by God to Horatius Bonar in 1861 as he marvelled and reflected on GOD and the wonder of His love for us.

O love of God, how strong and true!

Eternal, and yet ever new:

Uncomprehended and unbought,

Beyond all knowledge and all thought

O love of God, how deep and great!

Far deeper than man’s deepest hate;

Self-fed, self kindled, like the light,

Changeless, eternal, infinite.

O wide embracing, wondrous love!

We read thee in the sky above,

We read thee in the earth below,

In seas that swell, and streams that flow.

O love of God, how strong and true!

We read thee best in Him who came

To bear for us the cross of shame:

Sent by the Father from on high,

Our life to live, our death to die.

PICTURE OF TRUE LOVE