Category: Joy

What privilege it is, to be a part of the remnant!

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 New James Version (NKJV)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Jeremiah 23:1-6 New James Version (NKJV)
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD. Therefore, thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD. “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD.

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,
“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the [c]earth.

In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell safely;
Now this is His name by which He will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Reflection:
No physical church body is perfect. Instead it is a gathering of imperfect people striving for the prize.

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippines 3:13-14

We all approach our faith journey a little differently, but we all have the same Spirit within us bearing witness to what is truth.

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. – John 16:13

We are going on two months now of living in isolation from our physical church body. Although most have adjusted to the new streaming platforms like YouTube and Zoom, it at times, still feels disjointed considering the Word.

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. – Hebrews 10:23-24

This Holy Ghost pause is to get the Church’s attention. Given our time back, how are individuals managing that time? Are the same things that we are pursuing and dominating our thoughts, still the same things we are thinking about now? In Revelations, John was taken up in the Spirit and the Lord revealed many things. During this pause I have been studying out the seven churches. One thing that has jumped out at me is how the Word repeated saying “Whoever has ear let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” and “him who overcomes”.

 Church of Ephesus – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” – Revelations 2:7

Church of Smyrna – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” – Revelations 2:11

 Church of Pergamos – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” – Revelations 2:17

Church of Thyatira – And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. – Revelations 2:26-28

 Church of Sardis – He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Revelations 3:5-6

 Church of Philadelphia – He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Revelations 3:12-13

 Church of Laodicea – To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Revelations 3:21-22

I encourage you to do your own study of each church body. Each of them had something that they could be doing better or different, in the end only a few in each body would overcome and qualify to hear what the Spirit of the Lord had to say. It reminds me of the scripture:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ – Matthew 7:21-23

What an eternal tragedy to have gone through this life doing what is right and still have the Lord say that He does not know you! In our remaining time we have left, use it to hear what the Spirit is saying. What strongholds in your life have you been ignoring, what habits have been a stumbling block to your relationship with the Lord, without the excuse of being too busy there is no reason why you can’t and won’t be the remnant of the Lord after this season is over!

Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
Kenneth E. Hagin has been quoted as saying he tried to “live a fasted life”. This didn’t mean that he fasted every day from food, but fasted from things that may be taking his attention away from his relationship with the Lord.
o How has your priorities changed during this time?
o Has your intimacy with the Lord grown?
o What have you given up during this time that previously you could not?
o What are some of the things you have been hearing from the Spirit during this time? (Write it down and reference it often.)
o Which of the churches in Revelations, describes your relationship with the Lord right now? What are some adjustments that you need to make to overcome?

Remember Beloved, your sanctification walk is not a contest with others, but a race that you are running with the Holy Spirit as your conditioning coach. The ministry of Prayer Warriors Advance is to encourage and support you as much as we can while keeping you accountable as you apply the Word of God to your life. We are all in this together!

Christianity is not a spectator sport…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 New King James Version (NKJV)

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Reflection:

I competed in sports from middle school through college. For every sport I played the same discipline was required to succeed.  I had to be present for every practice, while maintaining my course load and GPA.  If I did not do either of those two things, I was not able to play in the next game/run in the next meet.  The coach wanted only the people that were prepared for the match to be on the field.  At the same time, everyone had to be ready to be called onto the field if needed.

When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you became a part of the Body of Christ. Depending on where you are in life, you may feel like your contribution to the Kingdom is not making a difference, but the truth is when you became a new being, every breathe you take has a purpose for the Kingdom.

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:16-19

The Holy Spirit requires that we “practice” the Word on ourselves, “maintaining” your relationship with the King of Kings and the Lord or Lords through studying the Bible. Our game time is any and everyone that crosses our path!   The is just one objective:

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9

As a Believer you are no longer a spectator in life. You have a responsibility to reach out to the lost.  Everyone has a story to share, a heart ache that is relatable, a scar that is memorable…seek out the lost, share the joy and the love of the Lord as you go.  That doesn’t mean to be loud, it means to be soft and patience just like the Holy Spirit is soft and patient.   You may know every need to say a word.

And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. – Acts 5:14-16

A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine was going through a difficult situation. I helped her as the Lord lead me to help.  She called me up one day and told me that her father was adamant that I was an imaginary friend.  “People don’t just help people like that, they would be crazy if they did.” She and I laughed about it, but it blessed me to know what I thought was a little thing, was having ripple effects in the thoughts of others.  I pray that her father comes to the saving knowledge of Christ, but just being in the shadow of my dear friend’s trial.

Beloved, it is all about souls. Resolve in your heart to be purposeful about your interactions with the individuals around you.  Listen to their words and apply what you have learned from the Word to the situation.  Revival starts with one, be that one Beloved, be that one!

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Have you been shy about sharing your faith with someone else? Why is that? Write down the worst thing that could happen?
  • Sharing faith comes in all different forms. You may not have to even speak, but people just sense something is different about you. Think back, write down any past experiences that you have shared your love for the Lord without saying a word.
  • Now pray and have the Lord put certain people on your heart to love on. Every little action is a seed sown into eternity. Reflect often on your words and actions towards others, you will be surprised the ripple effect that you have!

 

Your supposed to be different…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Psalm 139:13-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Romans 8:29-31 New King James Version (NKJV)

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

 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Reflection:

Do you remember your cafeteria experience growing up? If your school didn’t have a cafeteria, anywhere where large groups of kids hung out and socialized. Some of you don’t have to think back that far, because you have a cafeteria at your place of employment…where sometimes…just sometimes…people act like children.

It is amazing no matter how many years lapse there are still the same type of groups – the in-crowd, the out-crowd, and the in-between crowd. Depending on which crowd you were/are in, you experience life experiences from a different perspective than your peers. For me, I fell in with the in-between crowd, I was not popular, but at the same time I wasn’t relentlessly bullied. In a society that defines success as perfection, it is not a surprise that un-satisfaction and anxiety is on the rise.   The manufactured social media posts only perpetuate this idea that our best is not good enough and that we are failing in life despite our greatest efforts.

It is when I feel my most awkward, I grab my Bible and remind my heart what is the truth in the face of a sensory overload of inadequacy. The Bible says in Psalm 139:14 that we are wonderfully made. It didn’t say “perfectly” made, it didn’t say “cookie cutter” made; it said wonderfully made!

The God of the universes created you to be different! When He said “let there be light”, He had you in mind. He predestined all of your days.  You are the apple of His eye!  Your life in the Lord, is an orbit/a singular universe to attract souls to Him.  The Son that lives in you, holds this world in the palm of His hand.

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible – Hebrews 11:3

So, if we are supposed to be different, then why do we all feel a need to fit in? In my observation, to be in a crowd is to relinquish responsibility for the injustices that we see every day.  I am not talking about on the grand cultural stage, I am talking about our daily interactions with others.   At the same time, to purposely isolate one’s self to avoid rejection or “march to your own drum” can at times have an even worst ramification.  So where does that leave us?

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. – Galatians 5:16-18

Our flesh wants to be a part of something in this decaying – counterfeit world, but our spirit knows that our citizenship is in Heaven. Unfortunately, until we get there we will have to continue to play this internal tug of war.  With that said, constantly reflect in comparison to what the Word says, your thoughts…intentions…words…and actions.  Teach and/or mentor the young adults and the little lambs in your sphere of influence to be different in the Lord.  Yes, it is not going to be easy, but in the end it will all be worth it.  Always remember Saints:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. – 1 Peter 5:8-9

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Think back to grammar school, middle school, high school and/or college
    • What crowd were you a part of during that season of life?
  • What is the crowd break down in your current life?
  • For those of you that have kids or nieces/nephews, what crowds do you observe in their lives? Are they similar to what you experience as a child? (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
    • How are you helping them navigate their awkwardness? Are you reaching for a man-made fixe or a Bible proven truth?
  • Make is a habit to mediate on a scriptural promise every week. Embrace the truth that we are made to be different!

 

The Gift that never stops giving…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

John 14:15-27; 25-27 New King James Version (NKJV)

17 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “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.”

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Reflection:

As the glow of Christmas and New Year’s fade into our rear-view mirrors and the horizon of the 2019 stretches out in front of us; I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but feel a mix between exhaustion and expectation…like my glass is half full.

Christmas is my favorite day of the year! The remembrance of the birth of Christ, ushered in from eternity into time – God’s perfect gift of redemption. Though, the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day can be a pressure cooker of emotions that climatically release, like fireworks on the thirty-first of December; the new year is also symbolic of a clean slate of possibility and opportunity.  What a fitting time to remember the birth of our Lord at the close of all things old and familiar; on the cusp of all things new. Although God’s gift to us has since left the earth (exited time back into eternity), He has left a part of Himself in the Holy Spirit. Jesus is truly the gift that never stops giving. An eternal present wrapped in the folds of time. Can a calendar really define the evolution that the Lord has brought in your life?

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”. 

– Lamentations 3:22-24

Instead of looking at 2019 through the same old earthly lens, look at it from an eternal perspective. Our days on this earth are numbered and our Lord Jesus can return at any time, either way you look at it, thinking from a calendar perspective is unacceptable. Instead we must exam ourselves on a moment to moment basis. Our thoughts…our words…our actions.

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

God gave us His son and when He completed His assignment, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit. When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you invited the Holy Spirit to take residence in your heart. Spending time in prayer and meditating on the Word daily, will change your calendar view to an eternal view. We are the Body of Christ; our assignment is to touch any and everyone we meet for the Lord. So slow down in this new year, take the time to love on people whether they are loveable or not. Make your light shine for all to see, then you too will become a channel for the Gift that never stops giving.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Think back to the best gift that you ever received? Write down in detail, the event – how you felt, what did you do with the item, what ultimately happened to that gift – did you play/use it until it was all used up?
  • Think back to the first time you accepted the Lord into your heart? Write down in detail, the moment – the circumstances leading up to it, that moment, and then the days/weeks/months to follow.
  •  Now write down a vision – a life with no boundaries – what would you be doing?
    • Is that vision earthly or eternally purposed?
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to help you catch the vision that the Lord has for your life. More likely than not you are living far below your heavenly potential.

Remember Saints…

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

 

 

 

The human condition of the heart is sick…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Jeremiah 17:9 English Standard Version (ESV)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Reflection:

Have you ever seen the light go out in someone’s eyes? It is the light that makes them, them.  Over the last six months, the Lord has brought across my path two individuals that act outwardly, how I felt like inwardly many moons ago – disenchanted.

Several years back, a co-worker of mine, that has since left my company, but I think was sent by the Lord told me the best adjective to describe me at the time was sullen…me, sullen! Now, the last time I checked that was not a fruit of the Spirit.  After much reflecting and soul searching, I realized that I had allowed the light I had in the Lord to go dim.  There are certain areas of our lives where human civility has gone out the window.  One area that most of us can relate to is the workforce – you are either in it or closely connected to someone navigating through it.  Either way, there are plenty of opportunities and circumstances in that mission’s field to become disenchanted.

It is my observation that there have always been ethical and moral issues especially as relates to the workforce. What has masked the complacency of the masses has been professionalism – a set of social norms that regulated manufactured sincerity. With the passing of time, certain things have fallen by the wayside.  For example, formal attire is seen as restrictive, while casual Fridays, have become an everyday and every situational dress code.  In many cases, not all, one’s job becomes one’s primary source of income and social network. It is when life becomes this transparent, idol worshiping is right around the corner.

No one can serve two masters’ for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. – Matthew 6:24

The Lord placed these two people in my life, unbeknownst to them, as teaching tools for me. Living parables played out before my eyes.  Both these individuals look at their jobs as their only source of life and feel trapped. The Lord revealed to me, when you feel trapped, you will start feeling hopeless; when you start feeling hopeless you start feeling anger; when you start being angry you start justifying this anger then the root of bitterness will set in.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. – 1 John 2:15(NIV) 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2(NIV)

For a Believer, allowing the root of bitterness to grow, is one of the worst things that can happen. This metamorphosis of the heart in this manner causes you to become a poor witness for the Lord. It is an indication that you have gotten off on the wrong track. Remember friend, we are to be in this world not of this world.

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.  And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

– 2 Timothy 2:3-5

In all circumstances you must choose to be content. The Lord holds the whole world in His hands. His precepts cannot be shaken or changed.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? – 2 Corinthians 6:14

In this world where “grey” has taken over the truth of the light vs. the darkness…truth vs. fact… morale & ethics vs. perception is reality…we must purpose in our own mind and heart not to be consumed by things that are just not right. Remember David tried on Saul’s armor before going out to face Goliath, but it didn’t fit. The ways of today’s world will not fit us, Saints!  Our hope must be in the Lord that despite feeling naked and powerless in front of “giants” that by the world’s standards are above us; your covering and strength is in the Lord. In Him, you can overcome any and every hardship you face.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What area(s) in your life have you allowed your eyes to grow dim?
  • Why have you lost your hope in this area?
  • Think back when your eyes shined bright?
  • Ask the Lord to renew your strengthen. Press the reset button, through prayer and meditation and watch that area change by the power of God.

 

 

 

Content, but not satisfied

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

John 15:9-18 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me]. If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love. I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.

This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you.

No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.] 

You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], He may give it to you.

This is what I command you: that you love one another.

If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you

Reflection:

This past year I hit a big mile marker in age. Not that I am usually age conscious at all (my husband is eight years older than me, so I always “think up” in age anyways), but when I transition into a new decade of life, I take a different kind of pause than my habitual monthly marathon partner accountability goal assessments.  My life’s endeavor has always been to hear from my Heavenly Father – “well done My good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).  To accomplish such a lofty goal, one must always have eternity in mind.  It is at these “pinnacles” in life, I double, and triple check my “God positioning Spirit” (GPS).

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. – Ecclesiastes 3:11

To stay on course, we as Believers must always be seeking the Lord for direction in this journey of life.   In my personal experience and observations, this can only be accomplished through constant truthful and candid discussions with the Holy Spirit.

And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. – Matthew 6:7-8

Beloved, remember your flesh will always tell you “yes” and although the Word does say His answers are yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20) – it is only within His will. So, in His will, you may hear “no” or “not right now”, but it is ultimately for your own safety and good.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9

I am fully persuaded and confident that the Lord will never leave me nor forsaken me (Hebrews 13:5, AMPC).  I have had many a dark day – week, even years…but His Word is written in my heart (2 Corinthians 3:3), so I am completely content with my life.  Content is defined as a state of peaceful happiness.  People that know me, know that my husband and I are passionate about striving after and keeping our peace in the Lord.  Our peaceful witness acts like a light house in our “mission fields”.  We live out and understand what Paul was saying in Philippians:

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:11-13

Sadly, some Christians get to be content in their own lives and forget that there is still so much work to be done for the Kingdom.  My lack of satisfaction is not one of ungratefulness, but one of great expectation in the One that created the universes.  Satisfy is defined as completely fulfill/meet expectations, needs, or desires of (someone).   As I look back at my last decade lived, my soul overflows with love and joy, however at the same time, it grieves/groans for Jesus to come.

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.  Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. – Romans 8:20-23

Beloved, never be caught being content with life, always look up in the expectation of the Lord and never quit until you are fully satisfied (fully measure and complete and overflowing).

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Mentally sort the people and/or situations in your life in three categories – positive, negative, and neutral.
    • For the positive things – first give thanks to the Lord that they are where they are, then ask yourself if you are content or fully satisfied with how things are.
    • For the negative things – seek the Lord and see if you have been holding something that had once been a blessing too long or holding on too tightly to something deep down your afraid to surrender to the Lord.
    • For the neutral things – seek the Lord and see if you are luke warm in this area. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you either hot or cold to the person or situation so that growth in that area can start again.

Life is not about treading water…although there is a ripple effect.

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Psalm 27:4-6 New King James (NKJV)

One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.
 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. 

Reflection:

I have a to-do list the length of my arm every day. For me, some tasks are dependent on others, so they remain on the list for long periods of time.  Couple that with my prayer list and the waiting period associated with my requests, it can all become very discouraging.  Although I never talked about it, one day the Lord brought it to my attention my cookie cutter response to “How are you doing?”.  When someone would ask me that question I would either say “I am doing well, thank you” or simply “Maintaining”.  The Lord impressed upon me, that Jesus didn’t die on the cross for me to let the world know when asked that I am maintaining.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. – John 10:10

The fundamental challenge with a list is that whether you accomplish everything or don’t make a dent in it, it is always there. When we ask Jesus into our lives, He tells us the same thing He told Peter when he asked to walk on water… “Come.” When Jesus becomes our Lord and Savior and we step out of the boat (rational thought) onto the water (supernatural thought) we are stepping out in faith.  What keeps us walking on water is the blessed assurance of Lord’s love and anointing.  This can only be attained through diligently seeking the Lord on a daily basis.  And not one of those “drive by” sessions, but truly abiding in His presence.

What the Lord showed me was that, I was out of the boat, but instead of walking on water, like Jesus did, I was treading water. Sure, treading water caused ripple effects in my life and in the lives of those around me, but I was not advancing in the Spirit with this approach.  The Lord created time to be temporary.  We have one path through this life, to make the most impact for the Kingdom.  Do you want to make a big splash or a tiny ripple? Beloved, don’t get burdened by the things that you feel are not being accomplished.  Instead, press in each day to His presence.  Have the Holy Spirit dictate your to-do list.  Not only will you find that things get done, but you will find and keep your peace.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. -Psalm 16:11

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • List the top three things that have been on your mental to-do list for last six months.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance – i.e. Should these things be on your list to begin with?
  • Set a goal for yourself – at any given time your list shouldn’t have more than 3-7 items on it. If you’re lead by the Spirit, find an accountability prayer partner.

Remember above all else to advance in the Lord in all that you do!

There is no point shutting the door, if you are going to leave the window open…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Daniel 6:10 New International Version (NIV)

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

2 Corinthians 4:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

Reflection:

There are certain things in life that cannot be argued with. For instance, gravity, if you jump up, you will ultimately come down.  The same is true in the spiritual realm.  You are either ‘all in’ with Christ or you’re not.  There is no in-between.  Beloved, ‘all in’ doesn’t mean perfect, ‘all in’ means that you actively choose to stay in the race of faith when others have fallen by the wayside. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) …the worlds were formed by the Word of God (Hebrews 11:3) …Jesus spoke to the fever and it left the women (Luke 4:39) …

The only way you are going to experience true victory in Christ is through renewing of your mind (the window) + speaking the impossible out of your mouth (the door) + all the while expecting a manifestation of His Glory = blessings abounding and overflowing.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. – Galatians 2:20 

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit – Romans 8:1

The Lord spoke forth from eternity into time – let there be light and light was (Genesis 1:3). The same is true today, you must speak forth from the rivers of living water within you (John 7:38), light into the dark and cursed situations in your life.  If it is a loved one far from the Lord – call him/her back!  If it is a self-serving co-worker that is creating a toxic environment – speak to the strife like you would speak to any storm – lay down and be muzzled!  If it is your financial situation that look dire – praise the Lord, we serve a Lord that does not have impossible in His vocabulary!

The problem with the Church today is that the people around us can see through the windows of our lives that we love and serve the Lord. They may witness the fruit of the Spirit on the “front lawn”, but it is not until the door of our mouths are opened and the miracle working power of the Anointing comes forth that change will come to that situation…only then will the tides shift.  As a mighty prayer warrior in Christ each day we need to be advancing with the shield of faith up, the sword of the Spirit out and all the rest of our armor that the Lord has uniquely equipped us with.  If God is for us, who and what can be against us?

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What areas of your life do you need to open your “door” to?
  • What has kept you silent till now – if the motive is not of God, ask the Holy Spirit to deal with that stronghold.

Remember, renewing your mind daily will keep you in the will of God.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. – 2 Corinthians 1:20

So, what are you waiting for…advance…advance…ADVANCE!

 

 

It can’t be that easy….

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Matthew 11:28-30 The Message (MSG)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Reflection:

Rest has been the hardest concept for me to grasp in the Bible. All my life I have heard you have to work hard for the things you want in this life.  Being a busy bee, my mother can attest to this.  I am always moving, always thinking, always planning…sitting still was always the last thing on my mind. (By the way one of our daughters is the same way…it amazes me how much she moves even in your sleep…lol).  Then I met the Lord and the Bible told me that on the seventh day, God rested from all His work (Genesis 2:2-4).  When things went sideways at the very beginning with Adam and Eve, He already had a plan in Jesus to set it straight again. Now is it just me or did the Lord take generations to execute that plan.  The perfect play, but waited until a certain time to put it into motion.

When I ran track, I was a sprinter, although long distance running prepared me for my season I hated it because of the time it took get there.

The more time I spend with the Lord the more I understand it is that easy and it does take time to execute the perfect plan in this sin ridden world. The Lord gave me an awesome visual – a rubric cube!  In order for anything to line up several twists and turns of the cube has to happen to line up people and situations to create a miracle.  I don’t know where you are in your spiritual journey, but from a “recovering” busy bee, it is really that easy!

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What about your life currently is not so easy?
  • Why do you think it isn’t easy?
  • Are you striving in your own strength or are you resting in the Lord to delivery you?

 

 

 

Why are you still asking for an Aaron?

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

But Moses argued with the Lord, saying, “I can’t do it! I’m such a clumsy speaker! Why should Pharaoh listen to me?”

Exodus 6:30 New Living Translation (NLT)

Reflection:

When the Lord put it on my heart to start a blog, my first thought was yeah right. Not because I didn’t enjoy coming along side someone and loving on them, but because the thought of social media exhausts me.  Everyone having their own opinion, whether right or wrong the medium just seems like a whole bunch of people yelling in the same room.  Not in the same words that Moses used, but I basically told God, what could I have to share.  People relate to heart ache and pain, I didn’t have any of those things.  Can I tell you something, don’t ever question the maker of the universes, He knows what is best! In the year or so, that past after the Lord put that on my heart, I started unpacking my life….not to say that I am done, but there was a lot of stuff that pushed down or set aside.

The more time I spent seeking the Lord, His vision for my life didn’t get any smaller to match my view of things, if anything it became bigger. It took my brother-in-law being put in prison to get me to start writing.  I made it a point to e-mail him as much as I could, especially in those early days.  The Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance Matthew 25:36 –I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. I stayed with it for his year sentence.  It warmed my heart that I could minister to him, and his appreciation for my consistency gave me the nudge I needed to at least start setting up the blog.  Now social media had not changed in the time that the Lord gave me this assignment, but my mindset that manifested from my time encouraging my brother-in-law, changed me.

I wish I could tell you I have it all figured out, but I live and walk out the scripture Isaiah 55:8-9 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. I heard someone say one time “Delayed obedience, is still disobedience.” I don’t feel any more equip today then I did when I first got the call, but I have the resolve that with the Lord all things are possible.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What big visions or dreams do you have on your heart.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit for direction.
  • What little steps can you make today towards that vision or dream?