God of Strategy - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) October 15, 2024

God is in the business of fulfilling His word and He will do so in the most incredible ways you couldn't imagine. My family and I recently experienced this aspect of God's character and we remain amazed at how He does things. (Fine, I'm still amazed).

A few months ago He gave some family members the same word about a situation we have faced for years. The family fasted, prayed and moved in faith. Alas, the result was the opposite of what we expected and we wondered whether we'd done something wrong.

However, God soon reminded us that His thoughts and His ways are far above ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). What we thought worked against us actually worked out for our good. It also confirmed another word the Lord gave about the situation.

Remember how He had the Israelites backtrack in the desert to make Pharaoh think they were lost (Exodus 13-14)? Well, God is still confusing the enemy today. He told us to take a step that triggered a reaction which brought the exact result we'd prayed for. That could not have happened without Him directing our steps.

And because we listened and obeyed, He kept His promise in Isaiah 54:15 - Whoever attacks you, does it without my consent; whoever fights against you will fall (GNT).​

We had no idea what we were doing. Had we taken the time to think longer than we did, we would not have followed the Lord's instruction. All we had was faith and the conviction that God would work things out for us. Initially, it seemed we'd made a mistake because things didn't go the way we'd expected. However, thanks to God's mercy, we soon realized that our leap of faith paid off.

God wants to give each of us the strategy needed for victory. That strategy might seem illogical or produce initial results that are contrary to your goals. But, if you received the word from God, then you need only wait to see His promise fulfilled.

While this message lacks many details, I pray that the lessons will stand out. First, go to God for His word about every situation. Second, when He gives that word, hold onto it for dear life. Third, recognize that you don't know how God will fulfill that word so, expect the unexpected. Fourth, when God confirms His word, praise Him and testify about His greatness.

I want to encourage everyone to stay at the feet of the Father. He will never steer you wrong. Even when the trials seem overwhelming, remember that you serve the God of Strategy, the Mighty Man of War. He will not allow the enemy to have victory over His own. And never forget that He loves you. Your miracle is on the way. Luke 8:50 - Don't be afraid; just believe...

PS: Prayers, fastings, night vigils, and tears made several appearances in the situation discussed above.

PPS: Obedience was key and it wasn't always easy.

PPPS: Regular fellowship with others was also important. Remember, we do not war alone.

To learn more about today's topic, kindly read

1. Bow Down & Worship​

2. The Well​

3. Return & Publicly Testify​

4. Let God Confuse Your Enemy​

5. You Need A Revelation​

6. Faith Advances God's Work​

Don't Envy The Wicked - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) October 11, 2024

Social media provides a window into the lives of others. It reveals how many live contrary to the word of God. It shows that they do so without any apparent consequence. The drug dealer has girls, money, and respect. The girl who leverages her looks has the finest designer goods and enjoys countless trips to exotic locations. Meanwhile, the believer who prioritized God's instructions can barely pay their bills.

It seems backward and hard to understand but the scriptures provide crucial insight. Insight to keep the believer walking in the way of the Lord and not become like the wicked - those who do not obey God.

The Bible states in Isaiah 48:22 - “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.” When God says the wicked have no peace, He means it. And because Jesus said that the scriptures can neither be broken nor ignored in John 10:35, you should believe the scriptures. Thus, no matter how good things seem for those who do not observe God's instructions, the truth is they have no peace because they are wicked. Ignore the fabulous life they present. It is nothing but 'packaging' and does not reflect their reality.

Why would someone try to make others think things are rosier than they are? Again, there's a Bible verse for that. Proverbs 21:29 - The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. These individuals don't reveal the sleepless nights caused by hauntings, the medication needed to function each day, the choices made that eat at their soul, and much more. They seem to have everything but in private they confess they feel empty.

Unfortunately, so many believers have looked at the packaging and decided that the sacrifices of living for God were not worth it. They thought the time spent waiting on God for change in their lives had been a waste of time. They forgot Proverbs 24:1 - Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company. Instead, they chose the 'if you can't beat them, join them' approach and turned away from the faith.

To prevent this, God will sometimes not give a person access to the life of those who wronged them. He knows that if His child sees the packaged lie of their enemy, they will think that His promise of vengeance will never come to pass. And if that happens they will compromise and become the very person who hurt them. Then, God's promises for them will be forfeited because He has sworn not to bless the wicked. It is also why the contrary can be true. Occasionally, God will not allow a person to see the struggles of their enemy when His cup of wrath is in their hand. He does this so they won't sin by gloating and thereby miss His further blessings (Proverbs 24:17-18).

The Bible teaches in Isaiah 55:8-9 that God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not like ours. Everything He does is much higher and thus not easily comprehended by mortal beings. Therefore, let us be humble enough to believe His word that what we see is not the fullness of what that thing or person is. John 7:24 - Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly. Remember, God sees down to the most minuscule part of an individual (1 Samuel 16:7). Their outer appearance is not hidden from him. And He wants us to be the same way. After all, Genesis 1:27 tells us we were made in His image, we have the mind of Christ per 1 Corinthians 2:16 and carry a deposit of His Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22).

Stop thinking that you understand what you see with your eyes. Don't think the grass is greener on the other side. Life is much longer and more complex than you think. Your carnal mind will not get you to heaven so please do not turn away from God, His ways, and His wisdom no matter how tough things get. Do not think that people who don't submit to God have it easy - they don't. Walk humbly with your God and obey His commands because that way, you will enjoy the fullness of life and eternity with Him in heaven. God bless you.

To learn more on today's topic, please read:​

1. Contentment​

2. Don't Be Wicked​

3. Don't Turn From God​

4. Packaging​

5. Godly Contentment​

6. Don't Fake It Till You Make It

Give Your Life To Christ - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) October 8, 2024

Recently, I watched the original Ben Hur movie (1959) and was stunned by how much it focused on Jesus. Despite barely mentioning His name, the film still highlighted the impact He had on people. This got me thinking about Christ's impact on me since I chose to submit to Him and His Father, God Almighty.

Although I'd given my life to Him when I was younger, I did not understand what that meant. Returning to Him as an adult, and in sheer desperation, forced me to pay close attention to what it meant to give one's life to Christ truly. I watched the Savior transform me into a work-in-progress. I went from a person who had never fasted to one who fasted for long stretches. From being unable to sleep at night for years, I became someone who could swiftly drift into peaceful sleep. An unhealthy addiction to coarse language, reality television, and news vanished.

These things happened during a particularly tough season. And, as I continued walking with the Lord, the problems reduced and miracles sprang up. I was in need of a car and received one for free. In need of accommodation, the way was opened to get it smoothly. Over the years, challenges arose and often pushed me to the very edge of my faith in the Lord, but with each situation, I eventually saw His faithfulness and capacity to get me through dark times.

While I am still under 'construction, I continue to learn that giving my life to Jesus cannot be a matter of lip service (1 Corinthians 4:20). I've had to give up things and people that I never anticipated. I don't always understand why, but I know that if God wants it that way, it's for my good. And as I've submitted to His will - sometimes hesitantly - the Lord has opened my eyes to how my obedience blessed myself and others.

If you are a churchgoer who has not submitted your life to Christ, there is a problem. You are a Christian in name only, lacking the authority promised to all who believe in the Son of God. And if you have given your life to Christ but are not walking in the fruits and the gifts of the Spirit of God, that is also a problem. The fruits and the gifts are hallmarks of discipleship. Although they may blossom over time, they are freely given to all who believe in Jesus and seek what He has to offer.

Alas, many of us think attending church, going to conferences, and being good people is enough. Yet, we continue to cheat, lie, and fornicate, wrongly convinced that there is grace for repeated, unrepented sin. Being godly and righteous is what the Lord desires from us. On the other end of the spectrum, some don't want to give their lives to Christ because they don't want to cede control to Him. They believe a life with Christ at the helm will be boring, painful, and poverty-riddled. They also haven't seen or heard Believers make God and His word attractive (Titus 2:10).

God's best is for His children and the Bible states that it is only those who are led by His Spirit that are His children (Romans 8:14). Plus, the sole way to gain His Spirit is to repent of sins, acknowledge Jesus died for our sins, believe He is the Son of God, and live according to what He taught (John 14:15). Without these factors and the application of their faith, Christians are lions with neither teeth nor claws. Casually powerless just as satan prefers because then, they are his to domineer and manipulate.

But God doesn't want that for anyone He created in His image. He wants every person to be filled with the power He's reserved for all who believe in Jesus. He wants to fulfill His Son's word that all who believe in Him will do greater works than He did when He walked the earth (John 14:12). The Lord wants His people to be threshing tools that separate those who need to go from the Body of Christ (Isaiah 41:15). He wants His children to execute the judgment written in the Good Book, so they play a role in bringing His plans to pass (Psalm 149:6-9).

None of that will be possible if individuals don't give their lives to Christ and live as those who have done so. Instead, the devil will get away with harassing people and bringing chaos into families, communities, and organizations like the government or the workplace. Esther fasted for three days and became the most powerful woman in the world. She was the instrument God used to stop a murderous plot against her people. What more you and me who can have Jesus in our lives today and access the power God used to raise Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20)? A people who can declare that God's glory rises upon them?

Ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior today and let Him transform your life. He'll do it to glorify God (John 14:13). There must be a willingness to be changed because that is part of the process when you give your life to Christ. The transformation won't all happen at once but, with time, the Lord will build you into a vessel for His glory. Desire this change because it comes with increased blessings and gifts that benefit you, the people around you, your future generations, and other children of God who will come after you.

Want to give your life to Christ and fully submit to His authority? Please read the post that follows this one. God bless you and join us for fellowship at Noon EST.

To learn more about today's topic:

1. Drink Jesus

2. Consequences of Rejecting Jesus

3. Have You Changed?

4. Stay in God's Service

5. Show God You Trust Him

6. Live As Free People, But ...