Category: Goodness

What does victory really look like…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Matthew 16:24 New King James Version (NKJV)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

John 19:30 New King James Version (NKJV)

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Hebrews 12:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection:

Since mid-last year, I have had an unexplainable excitement in my spirit. Something about 2019 would be different…God had something amazing planned. Like a child waiting for Christmas, I have been looking on the horizon ever since maintaining my child like awe that God can do anything He wills in the blink of an eye. Fast forward to today, the last few weeks and months has been very challenging. Unbearable so, for me personally and for individuals I have come along side in prayer concerning a specific season in their lives. The challenges haven’t shaken my faith in the Lord, however it has changed the way I look at victories.

Victory is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as: the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist; achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties. Trials are the victories that testimonies are made out of…yeah try to get your soul and mind around that one. Trials are the victories that testimonies are made out of!

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; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:2-8

Trials are the substance that produces victories. So, if you are going to have any kind of victory, it is not going to seem in the moment as a victory. Victories are only victories seen in the rearview mirror of our lives. We must learn to appreciate the process of the trial, knowing a testimony will come from it.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it – Matthew 7:13-14

It is easy to be content in captivity. Captivity meaning, safely insolating ourselves in the lives that we have built. As much as is within our control avoiding challenges and perceived hardship through compromises. “I know God said this, but…; God’s Word says that. but” Moving in the flesh will ensure that you stay in this kind of captivity and become ineffective for the Kingdom. Moving in the Spirit, requires you to step out of captivity. It requires that you get pressured and squeezed beyond natural comprehension and still maintain your peace.

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-12

As for me, the fight still rages in my mind, but my soul remains at peace. I actively choose daily to pick up my cross and follow Jesus into the unknown – the Author and Finisher of my faith. What does victory look like, Beloveds…it looks like hopelessness…it looks like defeat, but God… BUT GOD takes dead things and resurrects them for the good of His glory. If you are going through a challenging time in your life, double up on your worshiping time. In the shower…in the car…on the job…wherever and whenever you can. Saturate yourself in praise, because it is praise that will proceed the inevitable victory!

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Write down items that the Lord has clearly spoken to your heart.
  • Find a scriptural promise goes along with that spoken word. Write it down.
  • Meditate these things day and night until His joy comes. Remember the darker it gets the nearer your victory in the Lord is!

God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? – Numbers 23:19

Stop drilling holes in your boat…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Hebrews 11:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Romans 8:24-25 New King James Version (NKJV)

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Reflection:

We are our own worst enemies. Yup, you heard that right…we are our own worst enemy. The devil can do nothing to us, unless we allow him access.  The Bible is clear:

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21

If we are cultivating any of these works in our hearts, we are exposing ourselves to the wiles of the enemy. Jesus told His disciples that we are going to the other side. He meant it literally and figuratively.  A lot happened in the middle of their boat trips – Jesus on water (Matthew 14:22-33) and rebuked the storm (Mark 4:35-41).

In both instances, Jesus commented on their faith. His disciples despite several miracle mile markers in His ministry, they chose not to believe His words, but default back to their religious roots – tangible and predictable rules and regulations (i.e. a Carnal Christian). Their lack of belief and application of the Jesus’ parables was like drilling holes in their personal faith vessels (personal ministries/testimonies).

A boat full of holes will not get us to our desired destination. Instead, we must take the time (prayer time) in the Lord to address these deficiencies. By cultivating and applying the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in our lives, we not only sail from victory to victory, but the Lord can use our lives as a wonderful witness in the lost and dying world.  Determine in your heart that you will put down the manual drill of the flesh and pick up the spackle* of the Word today!

Beloved, remember without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).  We were all given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3).  You may think that you don’t have faith because you can’t feel it, but that is just it, faith can’t be felt, it can only be known.

*If you are wondering what a is spackle, it is a tool used to smooth out a building material (ie. putty, cement, etc)

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Are there holes in your faith vessel? What are they?
  • What fruits of the flesh are your cultivating in that situation? What fruit of the Spirit can you replace that with?

 

 

Thank the Lord, He has selective listening…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Exodus 3:14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

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!

John 14:13 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son.

Reflection:

I have asked and pleaded with the Lord for some squirrelly things in the past. They were never anything bad…”Lord, I would really like to get on the soccer team”;” Lord, I would like to get that job”; “Lord, that guy seems like a good one, can he be the one?”…etc.

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths. – Psalm 5:21

Looking back now, each time when the Lord held His peace after certain requests, it brought me from a place of ‘self-reliance’ to one of ‘God-dependence’. I heard a quote on the radio today; “God is only giving you what you would’ve given yourself, if you knew everything He knew.” Even if it doesn’t feel like it, the Lord sees us every moment of our journey through this life.  In the valleys and on the mountain tops, He is the same (Exodus 3:14).

For great example of perspective are activity books vs corn mazes. Unlike mazes in activity books, one cannot gauge if one is really making progress in a corn maze.  Even with the clues, you are bound to miss a turn and hit a dead end at some point during the process.  Same is true in life.  Don’t you feel like that sometimes? Like you have been praying and praying and then suddenly you feel like you have hit a “dead end”. Fear not, Beloved! The Lord has pre-destined our paths…if you allow Him to lead…we may go through similar storms; our life will look different than others.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” – Matthew 7:24-27

We all are going to go through difficult situations, however what our lives look like after those storms will be determined by our foundation. The Will of God for your life is not a hidden secret; it is a natural as your next heartbeat or you next inhaled breath. The plans He has for you are good, they are “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. (Jeremiah 29:11).  So, if you are in a valley today, look up to the Lord, resolve in your heart that despite what you see and what you hear you are moving through this valley.  Read the Word, it is filled with promises.  Confess those promises over your specific situation that applies.  God is waiting and listening to bless you, you just need to get back on your path.

For the eyes of the Lord run to and for throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Think back to past valleys in your life. How was God faithful to you then? Describe the mountain top just beyond that valley.
  • I know that no other valley or pit can compare to the one you may presently be in, but the truth is that God is every present and you will get through this one too.   Three things to consistently do every day:
      • Pray for wisdom and discernment
      • Confess scriptural promises over your situation
      • Be thankful for the small things
  • Soon Beloved this too shall pass and you will be stronger in the Lord for it!

 

What is the point of china…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Matthew 25:1-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Reflection:

My husband and I have been together over fourteen years. As I dragged out our Christmas tots this year, I noticed yet again our “good” china still stacked up in moving boxes tucked in the back of the basement closet.  I asked myself, what is the point of china when we don’t use it?

I remembered the joy when registering for wedding gifts, one of the musts, was china. My husband and I like to host, but not in the formal way as to require china, but since it a something people register for when they get married, I signed us up.  Our family and friends were very generous with the gifts that were given and every piece of china we asked for we received.

Fast forward till now, we have moved twice and have hosted dozens of times over the years, but there hasn’t been an occasion (even Aunt Bunny’s 90th birthday party) that we pulled out this precious china.  So again…what is the point of china?

In our foundational scriptures, there were ten virgins awaiting the arrival of the Bridegroom. Five of them, stayed vigilant and prepared during the waiting period, while the other five got caught up in the day-to-day activities of life.  The Bridegroom came unexpectedly and the virgins that were ready, were the ones taken to the wedding.

The Lord, revealed to me the parallel between our wedding gifts and the anointing that is given to all Believers through the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, at that moment, the predestined plan of God is activated in our lives.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. – Romans 8:28-30

We have an obligation as vessels of the Lord to keep the oil of the anointing pure and fresh within us. Although, we may not feel like we are making a difference in the lives of those around us; if we stay vigilant in our daily prayer/devotional time, when the time arrives, and we are called upon by the Lord, we will be ready.

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. – 2 Timothy 2:19-21

I have purposed in my heart, in the upcoming year, to use our wedding china. There is no better time than the present to prepare for the coming of the Lord.  A formal gathering, to love on our family and friends independent of a calendar special day, is as unexpected as the arrival of the Bridegroom.  As we gather around the table this Christmas, remember the true reason for the season about all else.

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Have you been putting off something in your life, waiting for the perfect moment?
  • What is your hesitation?
  • Has the Lord put on your heart a family member or friend this holiday season?
  • What is stopping you from reaching out?
  • What changes do you need to make in the new year to put you in a better position to hear from the Lord.
  • What are you willing to sacrifice to reach that goal?

 

 

 

Precept upon precept..is the best tea spoon

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Scriptural Foundation:

Psalm 119:27 King James Version (KJV)

Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

Mark 4:10-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that

‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”

Reflection:

Years ago my mother, signed us up for a sand castle contest at our local beach. On the morning of the event, we arrived with our kid shovels and pails and to her dismay the people there were constructing palaces out of sand.  The tools that we brought were no match for the equipment and precision of the other participants.  Needless to say, we didn’t win…back then they didn’t hand out participation ribbons (not that I am a big fan of participation awards…that is another discussion all together).  A couple of days later visiting that same beach, nothing remained of those sand masterpieces.  Just re-affirming for me as a child that even the winner of the contest efforts was futile.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 2:11

In these moments when life seems as unimpactful as a grain of sand; looking back over your life these same moments in the Father’s hands can become a beautiful mosaics. Our lives are like private beaches, with a limited view of the world where people visit, and the waves of emotion are relentless.  We may witness many storms, but one thing remains, the horizon of God’s glory will always be in front of us.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” – Matthew 7:24-27

Our foundational scriptures speak to the Lord’s tea spoon approach to wisdom. Each of us have a purpose to be fulfill.  The Lord reveals that purpose one moment at a time. It is up to us if we are going to use these moments, His instructions, and His commandments to bring it to pass in His timing.  Or we can use our grains of sand (our time, talents, and treasures) to build something to suit ourselves.  Are you going build something that will stand and last for generations to come or something that will be washed away with the very next challenge?

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Do you have areas of your life that feel futile? Why do you feel that way?
  • Go back to the last time you experience peace in that area? Did the Lord reveal something to you? Did you take it as a commandment(precept) or a suggestion?
  • Find a scripture to stand on to bring that area in your life back in line with the Word. Meditate on that Word until it comes alive in your inner man and restores this area to righteousness.

 

 

Aborted Prayers. . .

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Scriptural Foundation:

2 Corinthians 1:20 New King James (NKJV)

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 New King James (NKJV)

Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

2 Timothy 2:13 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.

Reflection:

The Lord speaks to me sometimes when I am doing the most mundane tasks. Laundry is one of those tasks.  It is a never-ending chore that must be done.  It is something taken for granted by individuals that solely benefit from this task being completed.  For example, on any given Saturday, my daughter can change her outfit three different times and all of them end up in the once empty laundry bin.  Arrrrg…the struggle is real, folks.

The laundry process has a clear objective – clean an article of clothing and return it back to its proper place. This process can get interrupted at any time, but the end objective never changes.  There are certain times in our walk with the Lord, we are closer to Him than others.  It is during these times, we come into agreement through prayer with the things that are poured into our spirits.  However, our soul (mind, will, emotions) gets involved and tries to convince our heart (our spirit) contrary to what has been revealed by the Holy Spirit.  Your mind is where prayers are aborted.

Abortion is when one makes a choice to end a life. Individuals may debate as to when life starts, but the bottom line is a seed of life was planted and it took hold in a womb and the end of that process is life no matter when it is interrupted (Psalm 139:13). Hence abortion is a choice.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. – Deuteronomy 30:19-20

The Lord gives us a glimpse via our spiritual eyes into His glory and then the Word upholds that vision until it manifests. The choice it up to us, to hold on to these visions or to abandon them.  If our prayers line up with the Word of God, it is the Will of the Lord and His answers are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20).

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

So then why are we not all walking through a field of daises? I perceive in my spirit that too many of us are aborting these prayers somewhere in the process. There will be challenges in your life that are there solely because you have chosen self over the prayer you had once spoken in faith. Prayers are conceived in faith but are aborted in doubt. When your words and your actions deny our Lord’s sovereignty to resolve a certain storm in your life. . . that is your choice not the Lord’s to abort that prayer.  But praise God we have a merciful Father! He sees when we choose to put on dirty garments (shame, rejections, pride, etc.)  instead of the ones He has laid out for us. He is faithful to take all these garments and put them through the sanctification measure – His heavenly laundry process.

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. – Lamentations 3:23

Beloved, fear not . . .

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35

Make up your mind today that you will not abort another prayer placed in your heart by the Holy Spirit. Then rejoice that the manifestation is upon you (2 Timothy 2:13).  Faint not dear warrior of the Lord, faint not.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Do you have a journal specifically for prayer requests? This should be separate than your spiritual growth journal. If not, start one!
  • By practicing Habakkuk 2:2-3, you are actively choosing to see your prayer through to manifestation. It will serve as a reminder for you when your mind(soul) gets weary of waiting for your breakthrough.
  • Lean on the Holy Spirit and He will comfort and keep you through to victory.

 

 

 

Are you spotless?

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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

John 13:9-11 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, [wash] not only my feet, but my hands and my head too! Jesus said to him, anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is clean all over. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you.  For He knew who was going to betray Him; that was the reason He said, not all of you are clean.

John 4:23-24 New Living Translation (NLT)

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Reflection:

Lately my children’s favorite program has been Keep-it-Spotless.  It is a game show that has two sets of friends competing for a grand prize.  The goal is to go through several obstacles with paint coming from all different directions and try and keep as spotless as possible.  The team that has the highest percentage of “spotlessness” goes to the final round where they can win a cash prize.  Again, the cleaner they are at the end of the challenge the more money they receive at the conclusion of the show.

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, spiritually speaking we receive our first “bath” in the Spirit. From then on, we have a personal responsibility to keep our spirits pure – That He (Jesus) might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless] (Ephesians 5:26:27).  The Holy Spirit gave me a precious visual for the continuing sanctification process:  Lather, Bathe, Rinse – Repeat…

Lather = Prayer

Definition for Lather – A frothy white mass of bubbles produced by soap.

Bathe = Praise

Definition for Bathe – Wash by immersing one’s body in water.

Rinse = Worship

Definition for Rinse – Wash (something) with clean water to remove soap, detergent, dirt, or impurities.

Let’s start with prayer. The act of prayer…asking the Lord for guidance or asking Him to fulfill a need…starts the suds phase.  In our day-to-day interactions, we come in contact with things that may sullen our countenance, it is through prayer the cleaning process is started.

Once we are all prayed up we need to maintain a spirit of expectancy through the power of praise. There is something about turning our eyes off of self and praising the King of kings and Lord of lords…it is like drinking a refreshing cup of water. 

“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”– John 4:11-14

Praising begins to wash away doubt and unbelief, making way for the Anointing and the Blessing.

Finally worship, true worship, celebrates the Lord with every fiber of your being.  The only way I can describe it is a joy so full, your body can’t contain it.  Nothing can compare to the fulness of joy – a radiant grow – a warm and secure feeling.  People may say it is like an out of body experience without leaving your body.  Still others may go so far as to say for a brief moment in time they feel invincible filled with the Lord’s presence.  This space, this devoted time of worship, is where everything is washed away completely, and you are spotless once again before the Lord.

Lather, Bathe, Rinse…as Believers, we can choose to end this edification cycle at any point. However, rarely getting to the end of this “wash” cycle will leave our hearts feeling inadequate and weary in our walk with the Lord.  Do yourself a favor and give yourself a “bath” as often as you can.  Not only will your spirit fell lighter, the sweet scent of the Anointing coming from you will attract those around you to the Lord and isn’t that why we are here?

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What does your lather phase look like?
  • What does your bathe phase look like?
  • What does your rinse phase look like?
  • Do you allow for the full “bath” cycle to complete in every area of your life?
  • Has the Holy Spirit revealed to you where you have may be habitually stop the process and/or cycle?
  • Determine in yourself to be an individual without spot or wrinkle…because the Holy Spirit is in us…we are the church.

In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.  – Romans 12:4-6 The Message (MSG)

Pride before the fall…

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Scriptural Foundation:

Proverbs 16:18 American Standard Version (ASV)

Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 

Proverbs 18:12 New Living Translation (NLT)

Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.

Reflection:

I am the best human coat hanger. How do I know this? Several trips to local theme park and I don’t ride roller coasters.  I am not a fan of heights, so I would prefer to keep my two feet on the floor.  My family and friends on the other hand, love the exhilaration of twisting and twirling through the air.  The adrenaline induced euphoria, bring us back to the park every year.  Being around all things tall and fast, I can’t help but think of how riding a roller coast closely simulates the pride process.

What is the pride process, you ask? It is a slow mental build up to the greatest emotional high one can naturally feel.  Where fear is conquered and you have earned a seat at the table; a head above the rest.  Likened to the slow lines at the theme parks; we wait for our turn to shine – wither it is at home or at work.  Finally we make it up to the front and then are asked to strap in for a wild ride…a ride of which we have no control of – speed nor stopping it.  Upon the conclusion of the ride, one is dropped right back where they started, but with the gained satisfaction of having survived the ride ahead of the new individuals now standing on line.

Pride is defined as a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.

It is one of those human emotions that creeps up on you, similar to the spirit of entitlement. It is a feeling that comes from a job well done, however, if mixed with another little something called ego it spoils the whole situation. The Bible says in due time we will all be lifted up; but we have to be mindful of the condition of our heart in the process. If you feel like you are a “self-made” person, your drive will get you far in this life, but eventually the fruit that you will bare will only be that of chaos and destruction. The individuals that rather serve that be served, will be raised up, but the difference will be that they have the firm footing of the Word that will sustain them.

For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].  They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. – Psalm 91:11-12

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Pride is one of those things that cannot be seen right away in ourselves. Ask your spouse, or a parent or a good friend what topics or areas they see as prideful in your life. This may be hard to here, but then it will be a two-fold application exercise of practicing the fruit of forgiveness.
  • Compile this list and present it to the Lord. Ask Him to convict you have the topics or areas that are really a prideful issue (some of the things you will hear for a loved one maybe from their own perspective that may or may not be truth).
  • Prayerfully work on these areas in your life and watch the Lord transform other things seemly unrelated in your life.

 

Sow Thanksgiving. . . Reap Blessing. . .

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Genesis 8:22 New International Version (NIV)

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

Luke 16:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

Reflection:

I once got in an accident with a parked car….yes parked car. Living in the Northeast, snow is just a way of life, but still sucks. Due to my husband’s position, he must be at work basically in the middle of the night to make sure his division, supervisors and operators are prepared for the morning commute.  That leaves me to drive into school and then work by myself.

This past storm, I got on the highway and at every onramp traffic was flowing so nicely that I was not concerned for one minute about the inclement weather. Halfway down, the Holy Spirit brought to my attention that each time that I passed an onramp without incident, I thank the Lord.  Not that I didn’t hear an audible voice, but a whisper in my heart, He said “That acknowledgement of the Lord’s mercy, orchestrated the next situation.”  Now that He got my attention, I observed the remaining way of the ride down.  Sure enough, after each smooth merge with the cars coming on the highway, I continued to thank the Lord.  I ended up getting the kids to school safely and on-time!  As I headed to work, the Holy Spirit dropped Genesis 8:22 in my heart.  Then he said, “with each acknowledgment of thankfulness sown, you will reap another blessing from the Lord.”  Hallelujah! What an amazing example for such a simple truth!

What are you lacking today? Start being thankful for things that you may be taking for granted. The Bible says in Luke 16:10, if you are faithful with the few things that the Lord gives you, He will give you more, if not then even the little that you have He will take away.  These are spiritual laws!  Just like you can’t fight the law of gravity, the same is true here. The more you are aware the more you can thrive for in Kingdom of God.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • List out your blessings big and small.
  • Make it a point for the next week to thank the Lord for the simple things.
  • Take note of the unexpected blessings that well occur.

 

What melody is your heart playing?

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Colossians 3:16 Easy-to-Ready Version (ERV)

Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Reflection:

Your life is a song and it is a melody that radiates outward (it interacts with other people) effect your environment/surroundings. This is not something that the sense realm can pick up (seeing, hearing, feeling, etc.), but is something that is in the spirit realm.  The devil has a rhythm that tries to disrupt your melody as it tries force its way inward to your mind.  These competing forces, your melody and the devil’s disruptive rhyme, if left unmanaged creates confusion in your mind.  By focusing on your melody (things that get you excited, fills you with joy, and give you purpose) you can eventually drown out this disruptive rhythm and create the change that you need to get past current negative habits and thought processes.

Dictionary.com defines melody, song, and rhyme as follows:

Song – a short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung.

Melody – a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying.

Rhyme – a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.

So if your life is a song that God created and you have a unique melody that the devil is trying desperately to eliminate, shouldn’t you protect that melody with all that you have?

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What hobbies or volunteer work or dreams have you set aside for the purposes of being more practical?
  • What is stopping you from returning back to it?
  • Ask the Holy Spirit which item(s) you should pick back up again.