Category: Faithfulness

Barren places attract weeds…

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Scriptural Foundation:

Proverbs 10:31 Amplified Bible Classic (AMPC)

The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree].

James 1:26 Amplified Bible Classic (AMPC)

If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).

Reflection:  

My neighbor has a phenomenal yard. He tirelessly tends to his flower beds morning and evening without fail.  The result, a color symphony with each passing week from spring to fall. It is incredible!

This past year we started the transformation of our front yard by cutting down two large pine trees. (Side note: We literally took them down ourselves with the help of some friends.  I can now add playing a lumber jack on tv to my resume of past experiences…it was so much fun.) 

Almost overnight it changed the look of feel of our house. The two barren spaces those trees left behind garnished so much hope and potential. I was so excited at the prospect of change. My goal was to start a fantastic flower bed of my very own. Instead, life got in the way and these open spaces became overrun by weeds. After my second or third time cleaning up, I found that even weeds varied. Each time I would clear the spaces out, I promised myself that I would start building the garden I dreamed to replace the bareness. The last time, it hit me that I may want the same appearance as my neighbor’s yard, but I had no idea how to start or more importantly I did not have my own vision to accomplish the task.

Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he. (AMPC)

Along those lines, I can still remember the moment that I accepted the Lord in my heart.  I was at my lowest point in my life.  I did not know what was up and what was down…if I was coming or going.  The vision that I once had for my life suddenly was gone and I had no idea what my future held. 

When we come to the Lord, suddenly we have a clean slate which is a great thing, but at the same time we do not know what to do with it.  So, we pick up our Bible and head to church.  We look to our left and to our right in service and try to model after the people we see in church “doing it right”.  Instead of allowing the Holy Spirt to cast the vision – a tailor made plan – that He has for your seemly barren life we allow the influences of others to provide seedlings in our lives.  Things will grow…things that look like flowers and fruit when really what is happening is, we are filling our barren places with weeds.  How can helping others and serving in church be weed like activity you ask?  Anything done outside the Holy Spirit’s leading even if it is for an individual(s) or your local church could be the wrong entanglements.

Sheol (the place of the dead), the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that says not, It is enough. Proverbs 30:16 (AMPC)

Too many people today are playing church.  Instead of a bountiful garden manicured and maintained by the Holy Spirit, these individuals have a hodgepodge of greener with more thorns than fruit.  They present to the world plastic fruit harvested from a barren soul.  This type of spiritual life is not sustainable and is a detrimental witness for other individuals new to the faith.  We all may look at what other people have and not necessarily with jealousy but want to model after their façade.  By doing that we are stunting our own vision and growth in the Lord.

Now more than ever we must live in God’s truth for our lives.  God has a specific garden He wants to plant in your life. The fruit and blessings gleaned from your life will be used by the Lord in His ways to touch other people’s lives.  Our only assignment is to be content even in the barren seasons and know that God is faithful, and He will plant in His divine timing the seeds that is needed in our lives.

And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11(AMPC)

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Go back to the last difficult event that happened in your life.  Sit in those feelings for a bit.  Describe that season in detail.
  • Fast forward to today. List all the blessings in your life.  Now truffle (search) the Word of God for the promise that blessing fulfilled in your life.
  • If you cannot find a scripture that exactly matches what you are calling a blessing in your life, then double-check if that is real fruit or plastic fruit.   

God’s Word will not return void. . .

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Isaiah 55:10-12 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 

Reflection:

As I get further along my Salvation journey, I find that I speak less and listen more. The more I listen, is the more my heart and soul hears…the soft still voice of the Lord. Words matter (Hebrews 11:3). Do you realize that every word that we have spoken in this life, we will have to give an account for?

For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise]. And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God. Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother. – Romans 14:11-13

It is a sobering thought and one I meditate on often. I want the words that I speak to have a purpose and an impact for the Kingdom for those that hear them. The same is true in my prayer time, my Father God is so good to me that my requests for myself are few and I have the overwhelming joy of praying for others. Don’t get me wrong, I have my challenges. I have certain things that I have prayed for, that has taken years to manifest. Do I get weary in the wait…yes…do I want to change my words to match what I see instead of what it is that I am expecting from the Lord…sure. What keeps me from doing that is the Word:

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. – Joshua 1:8 (AMPC)

In our foundational scripture we find the Lord reminding us of a key character trait of His…consistency. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals to us despite time, space, and imperfect children; the plan that He put in place for the redemption of the world could not be taken off track. We had a guest speaker a few Sundays ago that said something that struck me. “It is easy to see who God was from the past (Old Testament) and it is easy to see who God will be in the future (New Testament), but we seem to miss who God is.”

And God said to Moses, I Am Who I Am and What I Am, and I Will Be What I Will Be; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I Am has sent me to you! – Exodus 3:14

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. – Hebrews 11:1(AMPC)

We are eternal beings placed on this earth for a time/place and for a definitive purpose. God is ever present in every circumstance and every season of your life. He is the God of the present just as much as the God is the past and future.

Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages). – Hebrews 13:8 (AMPC)

What is going to get your and my prayers to manifest in our present is to be constantly aware that we are speaking spirits.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. – Proverbs 18:21 (AMPC)

If you don’t want something for yourself or others don’t utter a negative word about them or the situation. Instead speak life in the dark place. You will find that God’s light through his Word will always overcome the darkness.

All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. – John 1:3-5(AMPC)

What prayer requests have you been waiting to manifest? It is not a question that God hasn’t answered it. If it is in line with the Word of God the Bible says His answers are yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). So, what do you do in the mean time? Send out more Word into this world! Come along someone in prayer and agree with them for their requests. It is like planting a flower bed…the different testimonies, like flowers will brighten up your year and provide sweet smell up to the throne room of Heaven.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Do you have a running list of your prayer requests? If not, you should start keeping a journal specifically for them. Gratitude is a arsenal that the devil can’t touch, each time you look at how the Lord has responded to each of your requests (every answer, even if it is not the answer we envisioned is for our good) is like another “grenade” that we can use against the enemy when he tries to discourage/distract us in the natural.
  • Keep a prayer list for your family and friends. Not only will their testimonies be just as encouraging, it will refresh you will you wait for your manifestations.

 

Need prayer, have a testimony? We would love to hear from you!

 

What are you doing with your manna?

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Scriptural Foundation:

Exodus 16:15-31 New King James Version (NKJV)

So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.

And Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat. This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: ‘Let every man gather it according to each one’s need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.’ ”

Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. So, when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need. And Moses said, “Let no one leave any of it till morning.” Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. So, they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted.

And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’ ”  So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. And the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?  See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” So the people rested on the seventh day.

And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

Reflection:

The world is in a perpetual state of decay. There are very few things that one can “set it and forget it”. Maybe that is why I think I like working in information technology field. For the most part once you set a configuration to run, it runs until that piece of hardware fails or is replaced.  Sure, at times there may be a power outage, but once the power is back on, that piece of hardware is restored.  The Lord set the world in motion with His words.  He breathed life into us for a specific purpose at a specific point in time and we will run (if you submit to Him) until we expire.

In our foundational scriptures, the children of Israel had left Egypt traveled for thirty days into the Wilderness of Sin before they encountered manna.  One would think after their first pity party on the other side of the Red Sea, this group of former slaves would rejoice at the road ahead (Exodus 15:24-27).  Instead, God had to revisit very quickly His lesson on provision.

After the Red sea, His people rested in Elim. Elim was a lovely place to visit after escaping Egypt, but it was not the promise land for the Israelites.  They had to continue moving forward towards their inheritance.  Unfortunately for them, in order to receive this inheritance, they all had to go through the Wilderness of Sin and receive a mindset adjustment.

The Lord orchestrated their escape, but the Israelites had to walk out their freedom.  Strongholds of slavery in the mind does not go away overnight.  It must be a purposeful and diligent process in the right direction to get ourselves to our ultimate destination.  The Lord provided the water first (Exodus 15:24) to His people and then He provided the bread (Exodus 16:15).  The latter required His people to DO something.

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. – James 2:23-24

Our Father is a loving provider, but He will only give us what we have prepared our hearts and minds for in Him to receive.  He gave Israelites manna, which means ‘what is it?’ – I think they questioned it, because they were not used to the idea of gathering something for themselves.

We all work in some form or fashion, there is a big difference as to the purpose behind that work. A person working for another may have a different work ethic, then someone working for himself/herself.  The Bible says that shouldn’t be the case.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

For the first time in their lives/generation, the Israelites were gathering for their own households. Manna appeared every morning for six days.  There were clear instructions as to when and how much to gather.  The Bible cites specifically that ‘some of the people’ failed to follow these instructions.  This learning process wasn’t without some hiccups, we see later only a few from this generation made it to the promise land.

In our generation, the Lord gives us revelation for the purpose of application.  We can’t wait until we feel comfortable to share the Word with others. If we try to store it up in our hearts what we have read/heard in our personal devotional time, it will decay like the manna in the wilderness.  Instead we should be seeking the Lords face daily to receive our manna from Heaven using this three-step process:

  • Logos – Written Word of God – Read your Bible every day
  • Mana – What is this? – Meditate on scriptures – seek the Lord for revelation
  • Rhema – Utterance of the Word of God – Read the Bible out loud and create confessions from scripture for the things that you are believing the Lord for.

I heard a great quote the other day – “Manna makes greed impossible, it is distributed specifically, and it cannot be hoarded.” Lord gives you specific instructions daily to live out.  You will be tested to see if the Word that you have heard is in fact applied to your life.  The evidence will be in your words and actions and your fruit will be wonders and miracles radiating God’s glory from your life.  If these things are not currently happening in your life, look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, what are you doing with your manna?

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What was the last thing that the Lord put on your heart to do?
    • Did you obey, immediately?
    • If not, why?
  • Meditate on the following scripture: His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ – Matthew 25:21
    • This should be the heartbeat of your heart to hear the words above from our Heavenly Father.

Change is not optional…how else will you know what kind of foundation you have?

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Scriptural Foundation:

Hebrews 12:25-28 New King James Version (NKJV)

 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Luke 6:48 New King James Version (NKJV)

He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

Reflection:

Have you ever woken up with a song in your heart? It is like a sun rise put to melody. On mornings like that, I brace myself before I open my eyes.  Many times, I wonder if on the other side of my eyelids I will see eternity.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. – 2 Corinthians 5:8-10 

When the trumpet’s sound, I sincerely believe that only the Believers will hear it. That is a sobering thought.  Not the good people that cringe at anything “religious”.  Not the good people that go to church once a week out of religious obligation.  Not even the good people that serve in church, but then live like the world once their feet hit the bottom step of the church steps.  Not everyone is going to hear the call Home…

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. – Matthew 24:40-41

It is our Heavenly Father desires that all are saved (1 Timothy 2:4). However, not everyone will qualify. If it were easy, then it wouldn’t be the narrow path.  If it were easy, then everyone would be doing it and you would be one of many rock stars in all your social and work circles.  Instead, each day that we open our eyes on this side of eternity we are going to be challenged, pushed, and shaken.  Not because we are super spiritual, but because we actively choose to stand for Christ and stand in the gap for those whose souls that are tittering in the balance.

The Bible is the best love story on the planet. The Lord pursues us like a jealous lover. Each time we choose self over the Spirit, our intimacy with the Lord is affected.  Don’t be fooled that you have an unlimited amount of time to change your ways.  As quick as a blink of an eye, your time here on earth will be spent.  If change is not optional, then make it count for something.  Let any and everything that is not of the Lord be shaken and removed from your life.  Not only for your sake, but for the sake of all the “good” people…and not so good people that haven’t had their spiritual channel tuned in to hear the final call.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • In the last year, what area of your life has been shaken the most?
  • Take spiritual inventory as to why this might be the case?
  • Ask the Holy Spirt to reveal to you any other areas in your life that may jeopardize your call Home.

 

Beloved, don’t have the way you live your life disqualify you or others from building a strong foundation in Christ Jesus.

 

Thank You, Lord for the In-Between . . .

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Scriptural Foundation:

Hebrews 10:24-25 New King James Version (NKJV)

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Galatians 5:25-6:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Proverbs 27:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Reflection:

For those that know me, I am a hugger. I love giving hugs and I love…LOVE…receiving hugs!  Like laying on of hands, so much comfort and strength can be transferred in an embrace.  In his letter to Timothy, Paul reminded his disciple of their last “transfer”:

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:6-7

As Believers, we are built to be overcomers. Jesus through His sacrifice guaranteed by His blood that we would go from victory to victory (1 Corinthians 15:56-58). That sounds awesome when you read it and even more powerful when you say it, but then there is the “in-between”.  The in-between period is the time from when the Lord spoke to your heart (yes or no to a request) to the time His Word manifests.

This is a critical moment in your life, like Job, situations; love one’s opinions; and your own thoughts/words will always challenge the Word that was given. The Book of Job has a lot to unpack on so many levels, but for the purpose of the “in-between”, let’s just look at the highlights:

  • Job was a Believer.
  • Through his actions, he allowed the devil into at least one area of his life (Job 1:5).
  • In destress, he sawt the Lord. (Stir up)
  • He had some three friends that were Believers, but their advice brought on more sorrow then encouragement. After deliberating with them, Job countenance grew dimmer. (Bear up)
  • Then came the one friend that provided Godly wisdom. (Sharpen)
  • Although still distressed, Job refocused on the Lord and that resulted in a restored life.
  • His life was a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

The “in-between” is the Job experience. We as Saints are under a new covenant and have been equipped by the Word of God to stir up, bear up, and sharpen each other.  There will be distractions (self-made and devil instigated), but hold tight to the Word.  This will eliminate the extras, allowing our victories to arrive that much faster and be that much sweeter.

Stir up

Each of us have untapped “potential” in us. This potential (i.e. power) has been imparted to us through the Holy Spirit.  This power can only be stirred up/awakened in the presence of the Lord.  Personal devotional time is vital but being connected to Body of Believers is just as important.

Bear up

It is through fellowship with other Believers that we realize that we are not alone in our struggles (1 Peter 5:9).  However, we must choose our Godly council by their fruit.  As in the Book of Job, there will be Believers that speak and act contrary to Word but praise the Lord our God is faithful and will always place someone in your life that will point you back to Him.

Sharpen

We all have strengths and weakness. In God’s perfect plan we are double-edged swords, sharpened on both sides.  Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world where sin abounds.  Praise God, grace abounds greater than anything in this world (Romans 5:20).  As a result, the Lord will place other Believers in your life to sharpen your dull “sides”.  We are His Body here on earth (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). We all have a part to play and that part entails being stirred and using our strengths to sharpen the weakness of other and vice versa.  It is the dependence on the Lord primarily and the inter-dependence of our faith communities secondarily that will bring about revival in these last days.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Are you taking time daily to soak in the presence of the Lord? This will stir you up!
  • Are you ministering daily to family and friends in Love (1 John 4:8)? This will bear them up!
  • Are you sowing and receiving Godly wisdom daily? This will sharpen you up!

What is the point of doing reaps…when you wimp out faced with a challenge?

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Scriptural Foundation:

Luke 9:1-6 New King James (NKJV)

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.

“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Luke 9:10-17 New King James (NKJV)

And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”

But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men.

Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” And they did so, and made them all sit down.

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.

Reflection:

I wish I could roll out of bed, eat what I wanted, and maintain my same physical appearance. Instead, I must workout and fight against the continual encroachment of age and gravity…lol.  When I am consistent, my reward is a perpetual positive outlook due to the endorphins and the satisfaction of good health.  The primary purpose for working out should be to get stronger in the hopes of making future activities and interactions easier.  At the same time, one should not become complacent and develop a subtle spirit of apathy. We see this in our foundational scriptures:

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. – Luke 9:1

And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. – Luke 9:10

At the beginning of chapter 9, Jesus sent out His disciples. As you know word choices in the Bible are very important.  These group of men, went out as disciples, but came back as apostles.  A disciple is defined as the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior. Whereas an apostle is defined as a vigorous and pioneering advocate – Christian teacher.

The group came back overflowing with testimonies of the miracles that manifested through their obedience. What a joyous reunion!  It marked a transformation, but not a full realization of the Mission.  Individually they all did their “spiritual” reaps, but they all still shrunk back from the challenge of feeding the five thousand.

But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. – Luke 9:13-14

How quickly they had forgotten what Jesus taught them prior to sending them out.

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? – Luke 6:46 (KJV)

Isn’t that just like us as Believers, praying daily for family members and friends, seeing manifestations of His glory, only to have a seemingly huge issue/problem come along and we suddenly have spiritual amnesia as to how great is the God we serve. That is why it is vital to mediate on the Word of God and renew our minds daily.

Despite not having one person out of the group rise to the challenge of the five thousand, our Lord responded lovingly and provided a blueprint as to how to encourage our fellow Believers in this sanctification walk.

  • Jesus did not condemn them for knowing better at this point in their walk with Him.

  Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

– Matthew 18:21-22

 

  • He was bold in His actions and expectations towards the Father.

Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. – Luke 9:14-16

  • He was confident in the Source of His power.

I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” – John 12:49-50

  • He remained faithful to the Mission, even when He was standing alone.

If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is. – 2 Timothy 2:13

As prayer warriors for Christ we should not condemn other saints; we should be bold about our calling; we should be confident in the One that works through us; and we should remain faithful to the end.  If we are consistent is this, we will meet any every challenge in life with full force.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What are you doing daily to strengthen yourself in the Lord?
  • Has your routine gotten stagnate?
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to provide a new “training plan” for you.

Remember saints, battles aren’t won on the field, but during the preparation process.

Hope that doesn’t have a finish line…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Hebrews 11:13-16 New King James (NKJV)

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Reflection:

Hands down my favorite grocery store is Aldi. For those of you that are not familiar with them, it is a small sized retail store that actually closes every evening.  In addition to their “limited” hours (8am-8pm), you need a quarter to borrow a cart (you get it back once you return the cart) and you have to bring your own bags.  In this day and age these adjustments are a foreign concept.  We are so use to our 24/7 stores that offer a wide variety of products.  Although unique, this kind of business platform allows Aldi to sell their products at reduced prices – instead of twenty different brands of toothpaste there are two, etc.  By choosing to shop there, I do compromise on my product selection, but at the same time it has helped me focus on feeding my family a healthier diet and has me in and out of the store quicker – bonus!

The Aldi experience can be liken to our Christian walk. Limited hours and limited selection in a world that there seems to be no limits is reflective of applying Biblical principles to an ego centric society.  Have you heard of the phrase, “pay it forward”?  It is a concept of passing on a good or selfless deed unto someone else.  On a regular basis I have seen in action and heard – “pay it forward” in the parking lot of Aldi, as one customer passes their cart onto another customer.  How does the person that gives their cart to the next person know for sure that person won’t just keep the quarter for themselves?  They don’t… they just trust that their sown act of kindness may be reproduce in the life of the person it is given.

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. – Philippians 2:17

Our foundational scripture reminds us, that we may not see in our lifetime the harvest we have planted. Instead we may be harvesting the fruit sown by Saints that have gone on before us.  In any case this race of faith that we run is not about us, but is about Christ.    The life of a disciple is one of sacrifice, but the gain from that surrender far outweighs the temporary affliction.  Your “product” selection may be limited, but the souls that you are gaining for the Kingdom is priceless – people you come across are yearning for what you have.  Be purposeful with each interaction knowing that your reward will be seen…seen from here into eternity.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What have you been hoping for? Is it something generic or something specific?
  • Is it something that will better another or something that will only benefit you?
  • Honestly ask yourself if you never see what you are hoping for in this life, will the Lord still be enough?
  • Ask the Holy Spirit daily to purpose your steps towards divine commitments and appointments.

 

 

 

What are you doing with your talents?

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Matthew 25:13-30 New King James (NKJV)

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.  And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.  But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Reflection:

The parable of the talents can be meditated on from a couple different perspectives. The obvious one is that of monetary stewardship.  One talent of gold equates to 455kgs. I looked it up and by today’s standards 1 kg of gold is worth approximately $43,371.35. So, looking above at the minimal investment the wealthy man made with a servant was 1 talent or $19, 733,964.20.

Selah, Saints…the rich man gave that servant by present day standards 19 MILLION+ dollars and that servant buried it! What would you do in that sort of situation? The fact that he didn’t spend it at all was remarkable. However, what was a lot more staggering, was the other two servants doubling the resources entrusted by their master…do the math.

Don’t get me wrong, that literal interpretation of this parable is amazing, but I would like to delve deeper from a different perspective that the Lord revealed to me of the late. Consider a talent to be a community of individuals (i.e. family, extended family, church family, friends, co-workers, and any other social network).  Depending on the community, there are set amount of souls that are entrusted to us by the Lord.  To be a Christian is to be Christ-like, look at the following two scriptures. 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” –   John 10:27-30   

“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.  He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:19-21

Jesus said in John 10 that no one will snatch out of His hand the individuals that the Father had entrusted to Him. If Jesus is in the Father and then Jesus is in us, then the same goes for the people in our lives. What if the “talents” for each of the servants in the parable represented an interactions with souls that the Lord brought across their paths in their lifetimes?  The first two servants used the people that the Father brought to them to impact others and multiplied the return of souls for the Kingdom. While the last servant didn’t nurture and/or grew any of the relationships that was given to him, hence returning to the Lord souls in the same condition as when the Lord gave him the task of watching them. Saints, interactions we have with others can have ripple effects in one’s immediate circle of influence that then radiates out further than we will ever know…from now into eternity.

Remember Beloved, faith is expensive, but souls are priceless. If you invest your interactions (talents) with the people that the Lord has specifically placed in your life – short term and long term – that time sown in obedience concerning them will yield a harvest for the Kingdom.

Prayer is the currency of Heaven and praise is the exchange rate here on earth. Our goal as Believers is to make an impact for Christ with every interaction that we have.

So, what will be your return unto the Master?

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What talents has the Lord placed in your life? / What communities are you a part of? (i.e. family, extended family, church family, friends, co-workers, and any other social network)
  • How are you impacting that community of individuals for the Lord?
  • Moving forward, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as to where to invest your interactions with individuals to reap the maximum eternal return.

Don’t let your light go out…

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Scriptural Foundation:

Matthew 5:14-16 New King James (NKJV)

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 1:5 New International Version (NIV)

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 New King James (NKJV)

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Reflection:

I have always loved the function of a light house. Light houses were originally created for the sole purpose of navigating ships safely through the darkness.  It is my most favorite symbol of a “civilian” post in the natural.  Similarly, we as saints are light houses in this world.  In this life we each have a part to play in the Lord’s plan – a post in the spiritual warfare.

Each of us has an eternal light that shines forth from our souls. As our intimacy with the Lord deepens in the Spirit that light burns brighter. The enemy tries to discourage and distract us from tending to and maintaining that light.  We may think that our relationship with the Lord is a personal thing, but in reality, it is a light that radiates out into the darkness around you.  You may never know what affect that your walk with the Lord will have another.  Your light may encourage others when their lights are growing dim at their post or your light that keeps others from floating out to the dark abyss.  The words you say at the right time or your reaction in front of someone to distressing news that may draw that person into your life as they try to learn more about the God you serve.

As humans, we will always fall short of the glory, the Word says in 2 Timothy 2:13 – If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. Like a light house it is our obligation to the Call to maintain our post and to manage the strength of our light. Don’t let your light go out, you don’t know how many people are depending on it. 

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

Ask yourself the following questions.

  • What are you doing on a daily basis to maintain the strength of your light?
  • What individuals are looking to you for encouragement in their walk with the Lord?
  • How would a person in your life that is not following the Lord describe you?
  • Are you a good witness for the Lord?

Three types of people…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Mark 12:30-31 New Living Translation (NLT)

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Reflection:

I have a bunch of “grace growers” in my life. There is person in particular that throughout the years doesn’t seem to be changing despite my constant prayer for him or my change in approach to our interactions.  Sometimes it is like talking to a brick wall.  A couple of months ago, I had another challenging discussion with him, then I distinctly heard the Holy Spirit say. “He is going to hell.”

Me: What Lord?

H.S: He has so much control over his life there is no desire in him to reach out to Me. Is your temporary annoyance with his pride/arrogance worth the eternal damnation of his soul?

Me: When you put it that way, Lord, no.

H.S.: Your assignment is to love him and God will bring deliverance. Anger/annoyance jams the signal between you and the Lord. God loves him so much that he sent you to be a witness.  Do you love God enough to be a good witness? Will you obey His commandments?

Shortly after he said that, the Holy Spirit dropped the mic with our reference scripture Mark 12:30-31. Really…how can anyone argue with that?  It is so disarming when it comes to staying annoyed.  Then He proceeded to explain that in life we run across only three types of people:

  1. People going to hell – self-absorbed (outwardly focused)/they have a narrow field of vision/this current life is all that exists for them
  2. People that are saved, but living below their God given potential – walking out of step with the Holy Spirit
  3. People that are saved determined to reach their God given potential – walking in step with the Holy Spirit

That is it saints on a daily basis three different types of people cross your path and it is up to you to be ready when the Lord taps you on the shoulder to minister to them. I pray the following over myself all the time:

I get poured out solely for the joy of being filled back up by the presence and power of the Lord.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Create three columns. Place at the header of each: people going to hell, people out of step with the H.S. and in step with the H.S.
  • Proceed to think about the family members, friends, co-workers/associates.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit, what category each individual falls in.
  • Then ask Him to help you love them right where they are.

Plant the seeds of love and watch God work!