Don't Let Go

And Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with him until daybreak. And when [the Man] saw that He did not prevail against [Jacob], He touched the hollow of his thigh; and Jacob’s thigh was put out of joint as he wrestled with Him. Then He said, Let Me go, for day is breaking. But [Jacob] said, I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing upon me. (Gen. 32:24-26).

I just want to encourage all who will read this to be encouraged and continue in prayer. Even as I sit and meditate on these scriptures today, I am encouraged to prevail in prayer. All of our battles are won on our knees in prayer. No matter the situation we are to pray because it is our lifeline to God. We see in this scripture Jacob wrestled with the Angel of God all night. He refused to let the Angel go until He blessed Him. He refused to stop wrestling despite of the agony and pain. The bible says, “…men ought to always pray and not faint” (Luke 18:1). There is a tendency to faint in prayer when we don’t see the results right away. We think our prayers are not being heard but the bible declares, “The eyes of the Lord are toward the [uncompromisingly] righteous and His ears are open to their cry” (Psalm 34:15).

            I just want to share with you some notes from The Matthew Henry Commentary to inspire you. It says, “However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us. Nothing requires more vigor and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Jacob kept his ground; though the struggle continued long, this did not shake his faith, nor silence his prayer. He will have a blessing, and had rather have all his bones put out of joint than go away without one. Those who would have the blessing of Christ, must resolve to take no denial. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer.”

          The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). If you have to lose some sleep to seek God’s Face in prayer all night, then so be it! Maybe you have to pray on your lunch break or in the car. Do what you must to pray. He will hear and answer. Don’t let go until you get an answer. Be relentless in prayer and like Jacob declare, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

Blessings                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                           

Tested By Fire

1 PETER 1:6-7 “…even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

If you are reading this right now you may have at one time or another felt as if your faith was being tested. You may very well be in that season right now. In the above scripture, Peter is comparing the testing of our faith like that of gold. Gold as precious and valuable as it is, is tested and purified by fire. The word fire in this scripture refers to a purifying agent capable of testing the quality of one’s life and works. Our faith being of more value and even more precious than gold must be tested by fire as well to purify and perfect it. The bible says for without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We need faith in order to obtain the promises of God and to please God. So, our faith must be perfected and the only way to perfect it is to test us. There may be moments where you feel as though God has forgotten about you. No matter how much you pray and fast, still no answer. You may be doing all that you know to do to be faithful but still no answer or even a sign from God…just silence. Temptation and hardship seem to be everywhere you turn. If you are there, my friend you are being tested.

Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12). God Himself calls us blessed as we endure the various trials that He allows in our lives. In times of trial we are to trust in Him with all our hearts, lean on Him, and not our own understanding. We are to go through asking, “Lord what would you have me to learn from this? How would you have me to respond to this test? What does the Word of God say?”

Yes, it’s hard and no it’s not pleasant. However, the testing of our faith and the trials that God allows in our lives help us to grow up spiritually. Will you give up and throw in the towel? Will you turn away and stop being faithful? We are to be instant in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2). Whether our circumstances are to our liking or not, whether God is silent or not, whether we feel like it or not, we are to remain steadfast. Go wants us to endure patiently under tests and trials. No, this is never easy as it feels unfair and unwarranted. As we often think to ourselves, “Why should I, a faithful servant of the Lord be going through trials and tribulations? Why does my life have to be inconvenienced, aren’t I doing my part God? Why do I have to endure such trying times?” Yet, the bible declares that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). The tests and trials that we go through are working on our behalf to make us wiser, stronger and more confident in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2). So instead of being bitter, angry, and fainting in our hearts we are to respond to each trial with joy. I know that sounds like a paradox but I’m reminded of Paul when he boasted of his sufferings for Christ (Read 2 Corinthians 11:16-33).

As believers we choose to trust God in every situation.  We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5). The amplified version says, “And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].  Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Be encouraged as you endure whatever situations the Lord allows in your life. Pass the test. Please don’t continue going around the same mountain for years, never fully understanding what the Lord is teaching you. Allow the fire to perfect your faith and purify you. After you have done all, you stand and keep standing. Then, when it’s all over you can say like Job, “But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]” (Job 23:10).

Stay Encouraged & God Bless!

Compromise Is Not an Option

And [Potiphar] left all that he had in Joseph’s charge and paid no attention to anything he had except the food he ate. Now Joseph was an attractive person and fine-looking. Then after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “See here, with me in the house my master has concern about nothing; he has put all that he has in my care. He is not greater in this house than I am; nor has he kept anything from me except you, for you are his wife. How then can I do this great evil and sin against God?” Gen. 39:6-9

Compromise:  

1. An endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc. “A compromise of one's integrity.”

2. Accept standards that are lower than is desirable. "We were not willing to compromise on God’s Word.”

As I have been thinking about what it means to compromise as a Christian, I thought about Joseph. Although a slave, he had obtained favor in the sight of his master, Potiphar. Certainly, that favor was a result of the favor of God on his life. I believe the favor of God and pleasing God was of the utmost importance to Joseph, more than anything. As I look at the situation in Genesis 39 with Potiphar’s wife, I don’t see anywhere in the bible where it says she was not attractive or Joseph was not attracted to her. She may have been an attractive woman and any slave may have fallen at her feet to have sex with her. Joseph may have thought she was attractive as well. However, none of this mattered to Joseph. His priority, his main focus, his heart only cared about doing right in the sight of God. He refused to compromise and do “this great evil and sin against God.” The next verse says, “And so it was that she spoke to Joseph [persistently] day after day, but he did not listen to her [plea] to lie beside her or be with her.” (Gen 39:10). Can you imagine this type of temptation? This was a grown man being tempted every day to sleep with a grown woman. But, Joseph’s heart was fixed on pleasing the Lord. He was a man of integrity not willing to compromise at all.

Most of the time it’s easier to do the wrong thing than to do the right thing. However, the bible says, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…” (Heb. 10:26). The word that sticks out to me here is deliberately. This means on purpose. It means you just do what you want and live how you want despite knowing the truth of God’s precepts. Make no mistake about it, we can’t fool God. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap” (Gal. 6:7).

I just want to encourage you today to be steadfast in your faith in Jesus Christ. Remain steadfast and stand on the promises of God. Despite of what tests and trials come your way, remain faithful to Him. Don’t move to the left or to the right, but be still and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). Set your heart on pleasing the Lord. Make that your main priority. “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also” (Matt 6:33). So, whatever it is that you need God will supply it and you won’t have to compromise to get it. Don’t allow your tests and trials to pressure you into compromising. But, let your tests and trials press you into His presence.

God wants us to live holy not only in public but in private. He wants us to have integrity not only in public but in private. Our private lives should be free of compromise as well. I’m convinced, that our Father who sees in secret will Himself reward us openly (Matt 6:4). Therefore, be encouraged to fight the good fight of faith so on that day you may hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Be Blessed!

A.M.

Don't Sleep Your Night Away!

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;

Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

To be honest when I was getting ready to write this blog the title of it was completely different. It was different because I was focusing on the wrong part of the scripture. I wasn’t focusing on what God wanted me to focus on. The title was “Joy Comes in the Morning,” but that’s not what the Lord would have me to contemplate upon today. Normally when we read “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” we tend to concentrate on the morning part. But there is something to be said about the “night” seasons of our lives. First off, what is the “night” season? Many times in the bible the word night would refer to a time of pain, suffering, sorrow, despair and/or disappointment in one’s life. This is the season when nothing that God is doing seems to make any sense. In fact, it may seem as if He is doing nothing at all in your life. The “night” seasons are those seasons where God doesn’t appear to be present or moving on your behalf. It may seem as if God has completely forgotten about you. It can be painful and hard to smile in the “night” season. But as I began to study this scripture, the Lord began to highlight some important elements about the “night” season.

Many times we are too focused on the night being over. We pray for the morning, fast for the morning, weep for the morning to come, but never take the time to fully understand the purpose of the night.

God speaks to us in the night season.  In 1 Samuel 3:1, the bible declares that, “…the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.” God was rarely speaking to His people and there was no divine revelation at all in that time. But something miraculous happened as young Samuel lies in bed. The Lord begins to speak to him giving him divine revelation and the word of the Lord. Notice the Lord did not speak to him in the morning or in the day, but at night. It was in the night that Samuel began to hear the Word of the Lord. It was also in the night that the Lord began to establish Samuel as the Prophet of God. Two things happened that night: Samuel began to hear the voice of God and his calling was revealed to him. It is in your night season, your darkest moments that God will speak if you will listen. It’s in your night season that the Lord will reveal the calling on your life and unlock your spiritual gifts.

In the night seasons of our lives we should be studying the Word, listening to the Word, fasting, praying, and listening for the voice of God. Some of us have given up and are not doing these things anymore. Many of us are too busy waiting for the morning to come and we are missing what God is saying in the night. My friend, there is more to gain in the valley than on the mountain top.

We know that joy comes in the morning; it’s a promise which means it’s for certain. So why do we sleep our nights away? Why are we sleeping? Spiritually I mean. Many of us are spiritually asleep in our night season. Consequently, we’re not receiving all that God has for us in the spirit realm. I say “we” and “us” because I’m first partaker of this Word.

There is much that God has to say to us if we will seek Him despite of how we feel. There are spiritual gifts waiting to be unlocked if we would press in His presence a little further. Don’t waste this time in the valley. Get all that God wants to give you. Morning will come, but don’t dare go into your next season empty-handed. Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light. (Eph. 5:14). So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober (1 Thess. 5:6). Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God (Rev. 3:2). Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed! (Rev. 16:15). Don’t sleep your night away.

 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev. 3:22

Be Blessed.

A.M.

Hold On to the Word of God

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matt. 24:35

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Is. 40:8

I didn’t know whether to title this, “Stay with God” or “Hold on to the Word of God”. Either way, we need to do both now more than ever. With all that is going on in the world it’s easy to become distracted, discouraged, and down right depressed. Life and all its cares make it easy for us to take our eyes off of God and His Word. Hopelessness and despair can overtake us if we are not reading our bibles, applying the Word to our lives, and staying before God in prayer.

Sometimes we can look around at the world and even our own lives and notice things seem to be getting worse, not better. Sometimes it can seem as if God is not even present or listening to our prayers. But I’m reminded in 2 Corinth. 5:7 that we are to live by faith and not by sight. He is a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). I want to encourage you today to stand. Stand on the Word of God and on the promises of God that have been spoken over your life. We know that the promises of God in Christ Jesus are Yes and Amen (2 Corinth. 1:20). So, stand. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 that after we have done all, to stand. After you have taken up the full armor of God, after you have believed and prayed, cried and prayed, fasted and prayed, you stand.

Matt. 24:35 and Is. 40:8 reminds us that the only sure thing in this life is the Word of God. The Word is the only thing that will last and prove to be true. Don’t give up on the Word, don’t give up on His promises for you, and don’t give up on God. How will you know if you really have faith if you’re not tested? You say you have faith, so be strong and stand.

I know it’s easier said than done but I’m convinced that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). He honors faith. And He honors His Word (Psalm 138:2). You have to be like David as he encouraged himself in the Lord. He said in Psalm 138, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me… The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” No matter what it looks like, feels like or seems like, you have to know that God will perfect that thing that concerns you. You must have faith to know that God will perform His Word. He said that He watches over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12)

As Balaam said in Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” Be encouraged in these last days and hold on to the Word of God. He is faithful to perform it.

Be Blessed.

A.M.

Stay At the Feet of Jesus

For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. Matthew 6:32-33 Amplified Bible (AMP)

It’s been awhile since my last blog. So I wanted to write something that will not only encourage the person reading but something that I know that the Lord is saying to me personally. I received this word in church on Sunday and as my week began I realized this word was just for me. This is just a word of encouragement to you who are reading - Stay at the Feet of Jesus.

In Matthew 6:32-33 we see Jesus giving the cure for anxiety. With the many roles that we play in life, sometimes we can become consumed and distracted by all the different things we face, whether it’s ministry duties, paying our bills, taking care of our loved ones, etc. Life can be a bit overwhelming at times. But Jesus is the cure. We are not like those who are without God and don’t have a prayer life. We are not pagans. We are citizens of God’s Kingdom. Therefore, we need not worry about life’s cares as if we don’t have help. God tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. Moreover, God promises that if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, all these things will be given to us … and more. What are those things? Well, only you know what you are worried about.

In Luke chapter 10 we see two sisters but two completely different focuses. The one sister Martha was entirely focused on ministry (serving).  And the other Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus. I can imagine all she wanted to know was, “What is God saying?”  Martha complained that Mary wasn’t helping her, but Jesus corrected Martha saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her” Luke 10:41-42 (AMP).  In other words, Jesus was saying, “You’re putting too much emphasis on the wrong things. Come and sit at my feet. What I have to say is going to keep you in this life.” We can be so busy serving & worried about things, but not have the slightest idea of what God is saying in this hour. I’m not saying don’t serve or take care of your responsibilities, but it shouldn’t take priority over spending time in God’s presence. Additionally, we shouldn’t be so worried about the issues in our lives that we become anxious over them.

Like Martha you may be concerned with this and that…this person and that person. You may be worried about family members, friendships, or even naysayers. In the end, it’s all earthly and carnal. Only what we do for Christ will last. So don’t worry. Realign your focus.

Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. Colossians 3:2

Be Blessed.

A.M.