The Lord is With You!

In my reading one morning, I came across a scripture for you my sisters in hopes of encouraging you this week through 2 Chronicles chapter 20 verse 17:

"You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."

A word was given to them as an instruction to march against the invaders without fear, take up their battle positions and watch the Lord fight their battle. Likewise God is saying don't worry about anything. You don't have to justify yourself. You don't have to plea your case. You don't have to pace the floor any longer. Stop pulling out your hair. You've done all you can do. This is one you don't have to fight. As a matter of fact, you can go to sleep tonight.

As an additional confirmation through the Word of God:

Exodus 14:14 "The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

Psalm 44:5 "Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us."

In other words, the Lord has your situation all in control. Why? Because He is Jehovah Nissi. He is our Banner. Therefore, you already got the victory my sisters... God bless you all!

Are You Running On Empty?

You know how it feels. At the beginning of this year you were on fire and claiming the blessings of the Lord. You felt like this year was going to be your year! Now your life seems to be going in a gazillion different directions. Truthfully, behind that smile, you’re feeling drained and defeated. Even the fire of your relationship with God, that once burned so brightly, now seems to be barely flickering.

In looking at Psalm 6, we find David. Physically, he is wasting away. He’s been running from enemies too long, and he’s exhausted. Spiritually, he’s dismayed and thinking God has forgotten him. Emotionally, he’s depressed and feeling ready to give up. David is running on empty and he is transparent to God. David says, in verses 2-3, 6:

2 Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. 3 I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me? 6 I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.

I believe there are some of us who can identify with David and I want each of you to know that you have to shift your focus from your feelings to the facts. David turned his attention to the facts to bring himself out of his depression and run down state. In verses 8-9 David tells the enemy of his mind:

8 Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.

King David got his focus back. It wasn’t about his feelings. It was about the God who was going to take care of him. David may have felt like God had forgotten about him, but the fact is, God knew his case. He may have felt God wasn’t listening to him, but the fact is, the God of his heart heard his cry. So what about you? Are you focused on your feelings or are you focused on the facts?

I’m reminded of a time I too was running on empty. I came to realize it one morning in an “Aha” moment of my life. I woke up late this particular morning. It seemed as if everything that could go wrong, did. I got my hair wet in the shower and couldn’t find my keys to only realize they were in my jacket pocket. To make matters worse I get in the car and was nearly out of gas.

While attempting to pump the gas, I noticed the nozzle did not fit in my tank. In my rush, I was attempting to use diesel fuel in my unleaded tank. God spoke to me through this situation.

Many times we are so busy that we lose sight and focus on the wrong things. We start trying to use other things to refuel ourselves and it doesn’t fit into the plans that God has for us. God says it is time to Re-ignite the Flame! Therefore, when our passion for God wanes and the flame that once burned brightly begins to flicker, Jesus is the one who can and will ignite it.

How can we put ourselves back into the position where He can re-ignite the flames in our hearts? 1) We must pray, 2) We must read the word, and 3) We must believe. Staying in the will of God can constantly infuse His energy in us. God is the only one who can refuel you. God will continue to instill in your passion for Himself, a purpose in life, and a zeal for living so that you can never again feel you’re running on empty…Peace be with you!

It Had to Happen -- Part 2

In Mark Chapter 5, we are introduced to a woman with no name. We don’t know how old she is but old enough to be a wife but not elderly. She is known for having an issue of blood. In other scriptures, she is also referred to as the hemorrhaging woman. Whether she has an issue of blood, or is hemorrhaging, she is definitely a woman with an infirmity. She is definitely a woman in need of peace to made whole.

This week God has led me to encourage everyone to pursue the Peace of God. Therefore, we will look at Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

In looking at this text, it lets us know that Peace is a result of trusting God. It reveals to us The author of peace is God. Yet at times we tend look to other things besides God to get it. Generally, the idea is “Would you please help me change others so I can have peace? Would you please help me change my situation so I can have peace? But, our scripture says in verse 3, You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Therefore, If there is a lack of peace in our lives, this verse reveals as evident there is a lack of relationship with God. In order to find out where this lack is we must realize what has happened and identify the following things:
1) What I cannot control
2) What I can control
3) What am I motivated by

Meaning, we cannot control people or the outcome of situations and circumstances. But, we can control our own thoughts, desires, words and actions.
How would we do this? By evaluating and taking responsibility in our actions on how we respond to people and the outcome of our situations. For example, if you are confronted by individuals, faced with a situation or circumstance that may try to sap your peace today. Verse 4 assures us to Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock. This word Rock in Hebrew means maw-ooz a fortified place, defense, strength. Therefore the very next time you are faced with challenges, I want you, stop and ask yourself these questions:

Can I control how this person thinks? Can I control the outcome of this situation? Is my current thought, desire, words or actions line up with God? And as result will my response be motivated by my love for God above my selfish desires? Or Am I motivated by my selfish desires above my love for God?

You choose, because John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]~~Amplified Version.

Remember everything you went through...It Had to Happen!