Your Fears Become Your Destiny!

From the moment they walked out of Egyptian captivity, the Israelites grumbled and complained. Their fears of what could possibly lie ahead continued to overwhelm them. Although they had just witnessed the mighty power of GOD carried out right before their eyes, all they could do was grumble and complain. Fears built upon fears creating a grim future outlook in their minds.

Finally, GOD became fed up with their lack of confidence in His abilities to continue to deliver them. He said to Moses and Aaron: “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. So tell them, ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: In this wilderness your bodies will fall’“ (Numbers 14:26-29).

Their compounding fears continued to haunt and plague them to the point that GOD finally allowed their fears to shape their destiny. GOD gave them exactly what they desired—to die in the wilderness.

As he stood on the edge of the Promised Land, Joshua, the new leader of the nation, recognized that the fears of the former Israelites had become their destiny. They had died before seeing this day of victory. To discourage such a thing from happening again, he addressed the nation with these words: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

You are possibly facing fears in your life today? Fears of the unknown—fears of what tomorrow holds. Fears develop into bigger fears if they are allowed to continue. Whatever fears are plaguing you, it is time to release them from your life. It is time to be strong and courageous and to trust that GOD will be with you wherever you may go.

If you continue to allow yourself to dwell on your fears, they will eventually shape and become your destiny. Release your fears today, in Jesus’ name, and allow faith in GOD to re-shape your destiny to a life of victory.

Just Lost Your Best Friend!

For three years, the disciples had followed Jesus. They left their jobs, their families, their homes—everything—to become a part of what the Great Teacher was speaking of. But all of a sudden, all their dreams and hopes were shattered as Jesus was crucified. They were lost in their shattered dreams. Everything they had hoped for was over. They’d just lost their best friend!

There was nothing else to do but just go back fishing. John records it this way: “‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus” (John 21:3-4). So in the midst of their chaotic situation, they choose to return to the only thing they know how to do.

You know their feelings. You’ve been there. You’ve experienced similar situations—situations where you thought life was on track and going great—but all of a sudden it’s all shattered and falling apart. Whatever the reason may be, it’s like you’ve just lost you best friend! You’ve lost all hope and find yourself returning to your old way of life—your old habits are calling; the old places you used to frequent are calling; life like it used to be is looking better all the time.

That was the disciples. As they went out in the boat that day, God hadn’t abandoned them. He was still there for them. They retrieved their nets and nothing! Jesus, standing on the seashore, hollered at them to try the other side. They didn’t recognize Jesus but did as He said and they caught more than they could drag in. As they came ashore they recognized Jesus. And as He spoke words of life and love into them, they began to realize their mission wasn’t over, it was just beginning. Their best friend hadn’t left them. On the Day of Pentecost, God put things in motion through them to evangelize the world.

God isn’t through with you either. Don’t look back. Don’t turn back. Stay the course God has put you on. Your best friend, Jesus, is still right there with you no matter how the circumstances may appear. Simply trust!

Just Hang On!

Israel found themselves in a difficult situation—surrounded and outnumbered by their enemy—doomed to defeat and destruction—without hope. When Saul heard of the grave situation GOD’s people were in, the Scripture says, “the Spirit of God came upon him in power and he burned with anger” (1 Sam 11:6). 

Saul sent messengers back to them with these words of assurance, “By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be delivered” (1 Sam 11:9). When he and his fighting men arrived on scene, they utterly destroyed Israel’s enemy. Although defeat appeared inevitable in the eyes of the Israelites, Saul encouraged them to just hang on, victory was on its way!

We often find ourselves in difficult situations—financial, health-related, marriage, lost loved ones, any mountain standing in your path. These situations grow bigger and bigger as the enemy taunts us with them. Soon, we find ourselves overwhelmed by their immensity. And before long, we are ready to throw up our hands in surrender and just give up.

Peter wrote: “Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Pet 5:8). Satan is out to devour and destroy anyone who will listen to him. What often begins as a little issue soon becomes a major problem as Satan continues to twist and lie to us. Before long, our problem overwhelms us and we find ourselves at the door of defeat—ready to give up.

This is the time to re-focus our attention. Understand our position in GOD. John tells us: “you belong to God. So you have won the victory… because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Satan’s bite is averted as we recognize that greater is the One who is in me, than the one who is roaring outside me. The GOD in you is bigger than any mountain you are facing, bigger than any situation you come against. Your battle belongs to Him and He will conquer your enemies before your eyes.

So, today, just hang on and trust GOD’s promises for your victory over everything that the enemy brings against you.

Worth the Wait!

Our impatience often hinders our receipt of the fullness of GOD’s blessings that He has prepared for us! Consider Elisha for a moment. Scripture tells us that he had connected himself to the prophet Elijah as his personal attendant. He served him quietly for a long while—watching, learning, waiting patiently.

As Elijah’s life on earth was rapidly drawing to a close, Elijah tells him: “Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” But Elisha was not content to continue life just being who he was or what he had. He know GOD had so much more for him and he was determined to receive all the blessings God had stored up for him. He responded to Elijah by saying: “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you” (2 Kings 2:4).

Three times Elijah encouraged Elisha to stay put but he refused. Finally, Elijah asked what he could do for him and Elisha responded: “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” (2 Kings 2:9). And, because he remained committed to receive all GOD had for him, he received Elijah’s mantel and the long-awaited “double portion.”

It’s important to recognize that Elisha was not waiting on a blessing for personal profit or gain. He was waiting upon a special blessing of anointing to enable him to carry out GOD’s purpose and plan—to impact others for the sake of the Kingdom of GOD.

As you are waiting upon GOD’s special blessing on your life, consider what your motive is—consider what you wish to gain and what your heart’s true intentions are when you are asking things of GOD.

Contrary to popular teachings and beliefs, GOD’s blessings are not for our personal gain but to enable us to carry out “GOD-SIZED” acts of ministry toward others for the building of GOD’s Kingdom. GOD has a “double portion” waiting for you. He is waiting patiently for you to get your motivation right and to make an “Elisha-type” commitment to receive it. And when His blessing comes through, you will find it will definitely be “worth the wait”!

Come On In!

In the Old Testament, GOD established a means whereby the sins of the nation of Israel could be “covered over” by a once-a-year event performed by the High Priest. On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would take the blood of the required sacrifice and go behind the huge veil in the tabernacle and later in the temple and offer it up to GOD in the Most Holy Place. This act could only be carried out by the High Priest and on only one specific day a year. The general population of people had no direct access to GOD, it was only through the priest.

Today, that’s all different. Scripture tells us: “when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Mt 27:50-51). At that moment, and from that moment on, access into the presence of GOD was granted to all humanity, through the sacrifice and shed blood of Jesus Christ.

For a better understanding, consider the words of the writer to the Hebrews: “since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God” (He 10:19-22). The great priest he is referring to is Jesus Christ.

GOD is saying, “Come on in” to all peoples through Jesus Christ. You no longer need any man, priest, pastor, preacher, missionary, Mother Mary or anyone else to intervene for you or to be an intermediary for you—everyone is invited into the Lord’s presence by Jesus Christ.

Fact is, there is no human being who can get you there. Jesus paid the price. Jesus made the way. Stop trusting in rituals and deceits of the church that teach otherwise. Follow Jesus and answer the bidding of the Lord to “Come On In!” You can enjoy His presence and fellowship in a personal way through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Come on in!

Worrying Will Get You Nowhere!

Glenn Turner, a foreign athlete from years gone by once said: “Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.” In year’s past, I have found myself overcome with anxiety about upcoming events in life. The anxieties my mind would create would hinder my sleep, my ability to concentrate, even my ability to carry on life in normalcy. Long story short, the reason for the anxiety rarely resulted in a situation as bad as the spell of anxiety itself. You can relate, I am sure.

Jesus addressed this particular situation with these words: “don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? Can any of you add a cubit to his height by worrying? If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:22-26)

You arise in the morning to discover that the tomorrow you worried so much about yesterday is not as bad as your thoughts led you to believe it would be. Our worry has a way of making tomorrow’s problems and troubles seem so much bigger than they turn out to be. Our imaginations run wild and our anxieties build. The little thing becomes gigantic as we conintue to allow it to overwhelm us. Overwhelming anxiety and worry is a chief cause of suicide in our society today.

Think about it, Jesus tells us “don’t worry about your life!” He’s got this. He’s got your back. He is here for you and He will take you through the problems and bring you out victorious on the other side. What you feed, will grow. If you feed your anxieties, you will worry more and more. If you feed your faith and trust, it will grow. Trust God to give you the grace to overcome the troubles of the tomorrows. Worrying will get you nowhere but frustrated and troubled. Trust God today!

Rolling Around in the Gutter!

I was thinking about the story of the prodigal son. He left his dad’s house with wealth. He went out into the world and frivously threw it all to the wind. Before long, he had absolutely nothing. The Scripture says it this way: “After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything” (Luke 15:14-16).

Did he leave his dad’s expecting to be broke in a short time? Did he ever consider finding himself living with and feeding the pigs as he eventually ended up doing?  No, I don’t believe the idea ever crossed his mind that he would end up rolling around in the gutter. But, he did!

The young person experimenting with drugs never intends to wind up a drug addict on the streets hurting others, stealing, whatever it takes to get the next hit. Or the man socially drinking has no intention of one day succombing to his drinking and becoming an alcoholic destroying his home, family, loosing his job. These people and so many others who fool around with the world and its ways never intending to one day discover they are rolling around in the gutter—but they do!

Consider this saying for a moment: “Satan (sin, this world, drugs, alcohol, porn, etc.) will always take you farther than you intended to go; will always keep you there longer than you intended to stay; will always cost you more than you intended to pay!” Sooner or later those who continue dabbling in this world will be overtaken by this world. Paul tells us: “come out from among them and be separate” (2 Co 6:17). Get away from the gutter before you end up rolling into it!

Wandering Around the Same Old Mountain!

I see so many discouraged, downcast Christians today. They are down on everything—continually negative about everything. Somewhere along the way they have lost the victory of the cross in their lives—they’ve lost sight of what GOD has done for them and have allowed their attention to be focused upon all their problems. Seems like we just keep going round and round this same old mountain of difficulty and problems.

Have you ever considered what creates this problem in people’s lives who should be living victorious? I went back to Joshua and discovered an interesting concept that may help to draw you back to victory, if this is you. Consider Joshua 5:6 for a moment: “For the Israelites wandered in the wilderness 40 years until all the nation’s men of war who came out of Egypt had died off because they did not obey the Lord.“

The mountain of Sinai represents GOD’s place of judgment on the past. It was the place where His commandments were given. It was the place where we learn to obey GOD whether our hard hearts agree with His commands and statutes or not. It is the place where humanity learns to find obedience to Almighty GOD. Problem we find here was the Israelites had a hard time obeying GOD. They did not necessarily agree with GOD which was evidenced by their continual disobedience. They always thought they had a better way, a better plan. Because of their stubbornness, they marched round and round that same old mountain for forty years.

Being discouraged, being downcast, being down and out are common human issues especially with all the problems in the world today. However, believers are called to victory through Jesus Christ. You don’t have to live that way. As you look at your life today, are you living in obedience to the Word of GOD? The Israelites wandered around for forty years because of disobedience. Perhaps you are wandering around with that same spirit?

Take a good look at your own life today. Ask GOD to reveal issues you may have in your life that are preventing you from stepping into your Promised Land of Victory. Be willing to step into a life of obedience unto the LORD. Quit wandering around that same old mountain day after day and find GOD’s deliverance and peace in your life through simple obedience!

Judgment Has Befallen Us!

John Calvin made an interesting observation that contains a great deal of validity as history has revealed. He said: “When GOD wants to judge a nation He gives them wicked rulers.” Take a look at 2 Kings 21 for a moment: “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites” (vv.1-2).

Note Manasseh served 55 years as King over Judah; the longest serving king in their history. Note also that he did evil and followed after the detestable practices of the pagan people the LORD had driven out of the land. It is also important to note that he was the son to King Hezekiah and even served alongside him for a time. Hezekiah had been a strong religious reformer for the nation bringing them closer to GOD and His worship than any for a long time.

The Israelites had drifted far from GOD and even through Hezekiah’s reforms, many continued their idol worship, making it easy to drift back under Manassah. Their hearts remained distant from GOD and He sent His judgment upon them through the wickedness of Manassah.

The wickedness in America has resulted in GOD’s judgment falling upon us. The murder of 65 million unborn babies is wicked to the core. The great falling away from godly truths and principles has left our nation open to the judgment of GOD and I believe we are seeing that played out before our eyes as our government sells us out to pagan nations around the world. We are been invaded by ungodly, pagans who have transform our understanding of the true GOD.

We are also under an internal invasion by supposed preachers of the Word living fairytale lives, teaching ungodly truths, pacifying and comforting the people in the pews. The pied-piper reigns supreme in many of the mega-churches here in America and rather than speak up and out against them, we continue to allow them to spout their lies and deception drawing the masses into their clutches.

Church, judgment is here! GOD is looking for an unspotted church, sold-out to Him. If we do not rise-up against lies and ingodliness, America has no hope!

Simply Say, Here I Am!

Samuel had served the priest, Eli, faithfully. Now at twelve years of age,the LORD came to him at night and called out to him three times. Samuel had never heard the LORD’s voice so he assumed Eli was calling. The Scripture tells us: “Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. He told Samuel, Go and lie down. If He calls you, say, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:8-9). Once again the LORD called and Samuel received the LORD’s Word and stepped out in faith becoming a tremendous worker for the kingdom of GOD.

Today, you may be in a position where the LORD is attempting to speak His truth into you. You may feel that GOD is attempting to teach you new things, maybe even positioning you for greater works of service in His kingdom. Don’t be intimidated by your age, your lack of education, or anything else as GOD chooses those whom He wishes to serve Him.

GOD seeks out those with a willing heart. He looks for those who will simply respond as Samuel did: “Speak, LORD, I am listening!” You have felt the LORD leading you, but you have’t found the right direction. Simply step out in faith and trust the GOD for direction. Take the promise of Psalm 2:8 with you, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession“ and carve out new territory for the kingdom of GOD.

Step out in faith and watch GOD do great things in and through you as you make yourself available to Him. Samuel simply said: “Here I am!” and GOD used Him in ways he would have never imagined. GOD is looking for “Here I am” people today. Step up to the plate in response to GOD’s call and then ask Him to empower you and to grant you GOD-sized opportunities for His kingdom’s sake.