Circumstantial Evidence

The things that are going on in your life are circumstantial. They don't seem to be that way, but they are circumstantial. The enemy is trying to make things look worse that they really are. What you think is going to happen, it does not matter.. it's not actual fact, it's an illusion, a trick of the enemy. You're looking at circumstantial evidence, behind on billls, job played out, disobedient children, husband, wife or friends acting out. Whatever your situation, it's circumstantial, irrelevant. The enemy has you thinking you are not going to make it. The devil is a LIAR! It won't work, for no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Use your weapons of warfare wisely to tear down the strongholds in your life. You are triumphant in Christ Jesus. He is your source.

I can do all things through Christ

In light of history being made with our new President-elect Obama, we will continue to experience a definite financial and material need for a few years to come. Before we were born, God was working in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for the fulfilling of His purposes. God knew beforehand, because His providential workings are clearly taught in His Word. In Genesis 37-50, God reveals His providental workings. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, because they envied him. He was taken from his family and was taken into bondage, and this is where God revealed to him, that seven years of famine were coming and seven years of plenty. It was through Joseph that God revealed His purpose for His people. Joseph stated to his brothers after they were reconciled, that God did send him before them to preserve life. But, as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good. This is God's hand at work in our lives and in the ministries He has given us. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, to them that are the called according to His purpose. However, the changing circumstances does not have to affect our inner contentment. No matter what the circumstances are we can experience a divine sufficient supply from the Lord. Because we can do all things through Christ who gives us our strength. This does not make us prideful as we therefore boast in the Lord's ability to sustain us throughout these economnic times of hardship. As the Lord sustained the prophet Elijah by the brook of Crebeth using the ravens and the brook of water, He can surely sustain and strengthen His people. Even as He used the church of Philipi to sustain Paul's work in the ministry, God can use whatever means necessary to fulfill His purpose in our lives. We often times look at what it is that we do not have verses what we do have in Him. As Paul learned that no matter what state he was in whether he was abound or abased he was to be content in all circumstances. We too like Paul must learn that the joy of the Lord is our strength. As we go about trying to please Him, that brings Him joy and He will strengthen us. Often times Paul was buffeted by satan, but God's grace was sufficient to keep him strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Even though Paul said the weapons of my warfare are not carnal but they are mighty through God, for my struggle is not with flesh and blood (i.e. material things) but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Therefore, we must learn to put on the full armor of God, that we are able to stand against the schemes of the evil one, having therefore done all to stand in the strength of the Lord. As Paul has stated I can do all things through Him who has given me strength, through Him who has made me more than a conquer. I can do all things through Him who has caused me to triumph in victory over mine enemies (financial lack, worry, fear, rejection, hatred, bittrness, etc). I am an overcomer by the word of my testimony and by the blood of the Lamb of Elohim. Jesus is the source of our strength, He has empowered us to find contentment in all circumstances, whether it be in plenty or in poverty. We are no longer victims of our circumstances, but the victor over our circumstances. Instead of having spiritual ups and downs as our situations changes, we like Paul must keep on doing the work we have been sent to do in serving Christ. You can accept all things, you can do all things, you have all things in Christ. Being content is not to escape from the battle, but rather an abiding peace and confidence in the midst of the battle. Paul's words "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. We must learn to be content in all things. Our contentment is from the resources within, so that we do not have to depend on substites without. We are sufficient in Christ Jesus, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. IN HIS HOLY PRESENCE!!!

Standing in light of opposition

There are times when God will allow us to fall on our faces. In light of all circumstances, we believe that we are doing or have done what the Spirit of the Lord has commandeded, only to find ourselves rejected by others. It is not a good feeling, but therefore there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. You need not to beat yourselves up because of being rejected by people. Your call is from the Holy Spirit, not from man. Obedience is better than sacrifice. It is better to have obeyed what you believe the Spirit of the Lord is speaking than to not have obeyed. You must try the Spirit to see whether it be of God. People reject what they do not understand, and or they reject because of what they have been taught, or because of fear. When we encounter rejection it is not for us to react, but it is for us to respond to being rejected by others in love. People have been spiritually wounded and are saved but not delivered, therefore this is what has created a vacumm in the body of Christ. We are still living according to the world's standards and not allowing ourselves to trust God to prepare our hearts to receive what it is that He had purposed and planned for our lives. Yes, pain is inevitable, because it is a part of the growing process to becoming spiritually mature. Therefore, you must stand in light of opposition. IN HIS HOLY PRESENCE!!!!

Starting Over

Starting over is not always easy. No matter where you have been and/are going, it is never easy having done something for so long and walk away from it. Even if you try to return to that situation with a different frame of mind, it does not guarantee us safe passage to the place of restoration of being able to pick up where we left off. It's similar to a marriage gone bad, and when you have parted ways for a final time. After, you've had sufficient time for your wounds to heal, you try to return to the scene in order to make amends, if to be nothing other than friends, whether it be for the sake of the children and/or your on peace of mind. No matter how hard you try it is very awkward, your issues are unresolved and they must be dealt with properly. Issues are the painful areas (sore spots) in our lives that no one really wants to address and/or take responsibility for. When we have not allowed God the opportunity to deal with the issue of trust, all of your efforts of reconciliation are in vain. Be sure that you are okay if you are rejected, because the other party may not be ready to move forward just yet. As you seek God, ask Him to reveal the broken areas in your life concerning your relationship with Him and with your spouse (ex or otherwise), in order for you to come to terms with your part in the matter. Repent for holding onto the pain and bitterness, ask the Lord to restore unto you the joy of your salvation in Him. Is is only the Living God who can restore you to wholeness that you are able to walk victoriously in that blessed state of peace of God which surpasses all understanding. IN HIS HOLY PRESENCE!!!

Expect The Unexpected

Our expectations are from God; (Ps. 62:5); therefore, we can expect the unexpected. As we reflect on the greatness of God, it insures us of His steadfastness. As our souls wait silently for God alone, we wait expectantly on God as He is extolled and exalted in our lives. He alone is your rock, your salvation, your defense, your glory, your strength, and your refuge. In the rush, rush, hustle and bustle of everyday life, we find it hard to sit quietly and wait upon the Lord, it is here where we too must learn to focus our devotions upon Jesus and fellowship with others strong in the faith for support and wisdom. As the Lord pulls you away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life, remember that separation does not constitute as lonliness. Find your comfort in knowing that the Lord Jesus will be revealed as you experience Him in devotion and fellowship with Him. Expect the unexpected each and everyday of your life. God is a constant companion and true friend. He is your ever present help in times of aloneness. As you surrender yourself to Him in your quiet time,always expect the unexpected. IN HIS HOLY PRESENCE!!!

Faint Not!

No matter the struggles and/or adversity, know that all things work for the benefit of those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. Those whom He has called, He has justified, those He has justified, He has glorified. Therefore, as things are working out for your good, God knows the place in your life whether it be the fork in the road and/or a stumbling block to your destiny, He knows you. He created you for the perfect praise of His glory, therefore, He made you uniqiue and set you apart for Himself. Jeremiah tells us: "before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;... As God knew Jeremiah, He knows us and set us apart before we were formed in the womb. He has a specific plan developed for each of our lives, irregardless of how we stray from the path of God, He will be glorified. He chose us in Him before creation to be holy and blameless in His sight, that we might be conformed to the image of His Son. Christ will be exalted above all as the Firstborn of many brethren. As you are conformed into the image of Christ, allow God's will to be done, by allowing yourself to be bent, broken, shaped and molded into the splitting image of Christ, that you too may glorify God, in all that you do. As Christ is exalted in your life, the more you become submissive to His will, the more He can use you as an instrument for His glory that others might come to know Him, by your testimony. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, Isaiah tells us "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints, nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable, He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Is. 40:28-31 NKJV) My brothers and sisters never faint in times of adversity, because you serve a God who is at work in your life, and He has a perfect plan for you. The more you yeild yourselves to Him, the more you succeed in becoming more like Christ, His plan is going to succeed. IN HIS HOLY PRESENCE!!

Opposing Opposition

Oppostion comes to all of us whether we want it to or not. But if God be for us, He is more that the whole world against us. Do not be afraid or discouraged because the battle is not yours, but God's. Power and might are in His hands, and no man has to power to withstand Him. God is our judge and is more that capable of judging the enemy, for we have no power to face the attacks of the enemy without the Holy Spirit's power at work in and through us. If we are to take our positions and stand firm in the Lord's power, we are to do so by lifting up holy hands in prayer and in worship unto the Lord. Therefore, your praises will fight for you, for all of your battles are won in prayer. It is so easy to murmur and complain in adversity, that we forget to offer up the sacrifice of praise and lose the battle that Christ has already won for us on Calvary's Cross with the atonement of His shed blood. No matter the storms of opposition and/or adversity, God will build you up and in righteousness you will be established. You have nothing to fear for nothing shall come nigh your dwelling. (Psalm 91) Isaiah stated, whoever attacks you will surrender to you (Isaiah 54:15b NIV). No matter what weapons formed against you, they will not prevail. You have the right and the authority to refute every accusatory tongue, for this is your heritage as a servant of the Lord, and I will recompense saith the Lord.