Monthly Archives: January 2012
The enemy has become so predictable
Over the last 27 years a pattern has emerged. Inevitably, before we are overtaken with incredible blessing from Yahweh, the enemy sends a barrage of attacks to rob our peace, finances and hopes. He wants to try to disqualify us from being overtaken with the provision from the Father with bitterness, anger, and frustration – his only weapons. The blessing of Yahweh can only be stopped by our own unbelief and it is our choice to stand and remain that will enable us to persevere through and claim what is rightfully ours. So many believers give up and in just before their greatest gifts and rewards are received. When we begin to understand that the enemy cannot keep the blessing of Yahweh from us – he can only persuade us to disqualify ourselves – we will meet each challenge with the courage and resolve to maintain our course and be steady on.
It’s during these times that we have learned some of these attacks are not as bad as they appear to be at first. As the dust has settled, what seemed to be catastrophic has turned out to be somewhat manageable. At times, the first words we have received – we take “with a grain of salt” (skeptical) – as the scenario is played out – the picture has always changed. Whatever the battle has cost – when we come through – the expenditure has always been reimbursed and abundance added on. Yahweh is all about – “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” Luke 6:38.
In order to redeem all that has been lost, stolen, or given away, we will have to be able to endure the bullying tactics of the enemy. As we position ourselves faithful over all he sets our hands to do, we can stand confident in Him. He has given us His Holy Spirit – so we are not alone. Let us have clean hands, pure hearts, resolve of spirit, confidence, passion, steadfastness, and endurance.
Don’t give up on your dreams…
We all have dreams, desires, hopes, wishes and expectations. The challenge is to respond the right way when things don’t go exactly the way we thought they would. Yahweh is such a faithful father. Psalm 37:3-4 “Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 20:4 “May He grant you according to your hearts desire, And fulfill all your purpose.” Hopefully we all understand that we are not talking about “name it and claim it – blab it and grab it.” We are talking about the expectation of being faithful over little and more being added. We are talking about Yahweh’s promise to make us the lender and not the borrower. We are talking about Yahweh making our name great in the earth. We are talking about having all our needs met with extra left over for those who cross our path and are in need.
There has been a scenario played over and over again in our walk with Yahweh. While the expectations and dreams have always ultimately been met and exceeded, the journey along the way has been fraught with unexpected turns and “short-term” disappointments. We have had to see past many obstacles and keep our eyes on Yahweh – knowing He has the timing and the ultimate plan already in progress. We have had to encourage each other and not allow – what appears to be giants – to dissuade us from persevering and walking on into Yahweh’s purpose and plan for us.
Our greatest confidence is in knowing that Yahweh is faithful and true. When you have given your first and your best, when you have kept your hands clean and your hearts pure, and when you have set your face like a flint toward the Father – stand fast and firm – there is nothing and no one that can stop the provision of Heaven from you. It may not come exactly the way you envisioned – but it will come – and in most cases – be more than you could ask or think. He has been more than faithful to us. Let’s be courageous and faithful and see the favor of the Lord revealed in the earth!
A Voice of Faith
It doesn’t matter how long you have been walking in the Kingdom, every now and then you will find yourself in a fierce battle with the enemy. His intention is to steal your faith in Yahweh and the peace that His Holy Spirit provides. While you maybe able to stave off an isolated assault now and then – a barrage of continuous disruptions can find even the mightiest among us a little weary. When these situations arise, we have come to understand the importance of finding someone full of faith to speak life unto us and renew our zeal and vigor. There have been times –even with our resolve – that we have sought out a friend we could trust – that would not just sympathize with our dilemmas, but would draw out of the heavens the Kingdom perspective to combat the natural tendencies that bombard our minds. We mostly fulfill that role to one other as husband and wife, but we do have a circle of friends that we count on as mighty warriors in this Kingdom walk.
There have been times we have felt led to email or text an exhortation or word of encouragement to a friend, but we are learning the importance of not just the written word, but also the critical and decisive advantage of someone hearing a strong voice speaking and releasing faith on this earth. We are pretty sure that a tactic of the enemy to rob our younger generation of their ability to change the world is to eliminate their voice. Most teenagers are consumed with texting and Facebook entries. This is an excerpt from an NPR article Teen Texting Soars; Will Social Skills Suffer? By Jennifer Ludden: “In Los Angeles, Harvard-Westlake High School considered an outright ban last year. Nini Halkett has taught history there for two decades and laments the bad spelling and writing that seems to worsen as texting becomes more widespread. As her students are increasingly immersed in texting, Halkett also finds them increasingly shy and awkward in person. ‘They can get up the courage to ask you for [a deadline] extension on the computer,’ she says. ‘But they won’t come and speak to you face-to-face about it. And that worries me, in terms of their ability — particularly once they get out in the workplace — to interact with people.’” http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126117811
As with anything else – if we as Kingdom believers will demonstrate and set the standard, the world – in their time of need – will recognize and seek us out to bring healing to them. So next time – instead of texting or emailing – talk to a friend, leave a voicemail, or as we have learned how to do recently – mms a “voice memo” from your iPhone. Let your voice be heard – resonate words of life to someone…
Do unto others….
Something Apostle Ball taught us early on was to rejoice with those who rejoice. If you cannot be happy for those who are receiving blessing, you’ll never sow the seed for the blessing to come to you. Some people become bitter and complain about their situations – only to prolong the agonizing wait. We have talked about it so many times – the law of seedtime and harvest applies to these situations – not to mention “the golden rule” – Matthew 7:12 “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.” It is a great lesson to think about as you go through your day. It can really become natural as you meditate on this law and interact with people and situations. For example: for Christmas we purchased a hostess gift for someone who had invited us to their home. It was an electric grinder for salt and pepper. We noticed that it required batteries – which it did not come with. Thinking about what we would want – to be able to use it right away –we purchased batteries, peppercorns, and sea salt and put them in the bag. We wanted the receiver to not have to look for the items in their home – maybe to be disappointed and unable to use the gift. A little forethought can make someone’s day and sow a seed for blessing to come back and overtake you – so that you can have everything you need.
We know that it can be hard to overcome your mind – especially when times have been tough. You may have been faithful and waiting on your harvest. Sometimes Yahweh tests our hearts. We need to be confident – knowing that our Heavenly Father knows what we have need of and in due time (as Pastor Ron used to say – “He is seldom early, but never late”) we will receive all that He has for us. It all comes down to a choice. Make a conscious choice to be happy for those around you who are reaping blessings in their lives – soon you will find those around you rejoicing with you as you receive all that you have sown for.
Choices
The one thing that Yahweh bestowed upon every human being is the right to make choices. Choices are a powerful and important part of life that dictate the paths that will be laid out before us. Choices can open up great opportunities or limit one’s ability to fulfill a life of blessing and peace. We are not alone in navigating through the choices that we are faced with each day. Holy Spirit is our helper. He makes us wise and enables us to choose wisely as we walk down life’s path. The most wise decision any of us can make is to learn to tune in and hear His voice. As we walk today into a new year of opportunity, I declare the following over us and the decisions that we will make….
Yahweh, thank you for the ability that you have given us to make choices in this life. Help us to remember that our life is a reflection of our stewardship over all that which you have given unto us. May our choices in 2012 be wise and sharp. I declare that we will walk every day and honor you with the first and the best of our provision and increase. I declare that we will, above all else, keep our hands clean and our hearts pure. I declare that we will desire the things of the Spirit above the things of this world. In all that we do Yahweh, we will be generous and cheerful in giving to others as you so lead. Help us by your Spirit Yahweh to be the best husbands, the best wives, the best employees, and faithful sons and daughters in your kingdom as we walk out every day in this new year.
kingdombizness 