You Get It On Credit

You Get It On Credit

Have you ever seen yourself in the future? Had a glimpse of a future you think is impossible to achieve? You see yourself living a completely different, more successful and prosperous life than where you are today but in your current circumstances that vision seems impossible to achieve so you just get on with getting on and accepting that what you’ve got is your lot in life. After all it was only a dream and dreams don’t always come true.  Wrong! God will give you your future on credit. He will show you what He has planned for you; He will show you where your future is at and what your future holds. It’s His promise to you for a better future but you will have to believe in Him and the promise because His intentions are to prosper you (Acts 17:11) Gods word says He will give you the desires of your heart according to His will and purpose for your life.(Psalm37:4)

Today we live in a society of quick fixes, buy now and pay later schemes. Despite not being in a position to afford the quick fixes or the repayments we fall for the seductive call and caresses of the enemy and go ahead of Gods plan for us. We allow our wants to go ahead of His will for us because society dictates that we must have the future now...why wait when you can have it right now? Why not get it now and worry about the future later and before we know it, we are trapped by our inability to wait. We are trapped in a mired of negativity and can’t find our way out but that’s not the future God has for us. That’s not His plan for us. It’s not the future He promised us. It’s the subtle seduction of the enemy that got us here. We were duped by his soft words, his pretty pictures and false promises because that is all he has to offer; that is his purpose; to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He is a counterfeit and uses trickery to trap us into believing his lies and falling prey to his deceit but Jesus went ahead of us and paid the price on our behalf for our debts. Through His death we have been set free. Because of His sacrifice we can look forward to a bright and prosperous future. He will show you a future that is real and achievable but you will have to trust Him, believe in the promise and the dream against all the odds (Psalm 62:8)

Joseph was shown his future at a very young age.  God appeared in a dream to Joseph and showed him the plans He had for him (Genesis 37). Joseph believed in that dream and despite all the attempts of the enemy and the attempts of his brothers to abort that dream, God kept His word and prospered Joseph. Sometimes you will have to keep the dream to yourself. Be careful of who you share your dream with because not everyone shares your vision. The enemy will make every attempt to steal your dream and he will use even those closest to you to destroy you and your dream but what God has for you none can take from you. What is your dream, what is your vision? 

You may have to go through some stuff, you may have to go without for a while, you may have to be separated, isolated, ridiculed be battered and bruised but He will keep His word and His promise. Keep trusting and praising Him and He will repay you double for your trouble (book of Job).  All the “stuff” you have to endure will only be for a season, it’s your strengthening period. He is preparing you to propel you. Hold on and trust Him. He showed you your future on credit and it’s waiting at the end of the payment period for you.

A few years ago I was in a negative financial position. I had no car and no job. I remember saying to someone that I had seen myself in the future and I saw myself overcoming my current circumstances. God gave me a glimpse of what He had planned for me and where He was taking me. I looked much better, stronger and wiser than I was at that point. He told me people are waiting to hear what I had to say and I knew that I was going to get to that place, and be that person but I also knew that for me to get there I would have to trust Him and believe in the promise. I had to, against all the odds, against all the attempts of the enemy, against all the negative words and lack of encouragement, against my own doubts, hold firmly to the promise and my faith in my Father. Are you prepared to go against the odds and the doubting thoughts that attack your vision? What you see and hear in me now is what He showed me many years ago on credit. I can testify today that by His grace I am in a better place, I am a better person and I look and feel better than I did back then. I did not get there on my own strength or my own efforts. I held fast to His word and promise and relied on His strength. He paid for my future but I had to earn it. I had to prove myself worthy. I had to be strong enough to be able to handle it.  I got it on credit.

Moses and the children of Israel were shown their future on credit (Numbers 27:12). They were shown the promise land but they had to go back to Egypt and earn the right to that promise. They had to prove their faith, prove themselves worthy and strong enough to carry the promise. They had to remain faithful and trust God; Abraham and Sarah were promised a child but they had to trust and believe God to make good His promise (Genesis 21); God showed Noah the future on credit.  God told him of the rain and the flood which will destroy mankind 120 years before it happened (Genesis 6:3). Noah had never seen rain before but because of his relationship with God he believed, trusted and stood on the promise of God. He grabbed the vision and held onto it. Despite the snares of everyone around him, despite their unbelief, he held fast to the promise because God had showed it to him on credit.  Because of Noah’s relationship with God, his faith in God and his belief in the promise of God mankind were saved; Because of their relationship God told Joshua of His plans to prosper him. He showed him his future on credit (Joshua 1:37) but Joshua had to stand strong against all the odds. He had to be in right standing with God. God will give you your future on credit. He will give it to you in the spirit before it materialises in the natural but you must be in a relationship with Him. All of these people were shown their future on credit because of their relationship with God.  What’s your relationship with God like?

You will have to go through some stuff to get to the dream. He showed you your future in advance but sends you back to prepare you. Don’t worry about how you’re going to get what He’s shown you because if He’s shown it to you then it is real. You will get frustrated but frustration is your fight to a brighter future. Every emotion used is never wasted. God has so much He wants to give to you but to who much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). He chose you in advance; every hair on your head is numbered; every step you take has been ordered (Psalm 37:23). He knew all your experiences (good or bad) before you experienced them.  He made you for a purpose and He will fulfil that purpose. He will prosper you but no matter what is thrown at you don’t lose faith and sight of the promise.  Despite all the odds say “Lord you promised me; you showed me my future and I’m not giving up or letting go until You bless me, until You come through show up and show off in me and when You do I will use the promise to glorify and magnify Your name.  I will wait on You..........

I will get it on credit

What Happened On The Third Day

What Happened On The Third Day

Where would we be without the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins? Where would we be?

My life has been transformed and my heart renewed because God revealed Himself to me through His son Jesus. No one comes to the Father except through the Son and who the Father reveals Himself to through His Son Jesus (John 14:6). No more are we bound by the trickery and deception of the devil and a fallen world.  Today we are set free by the blood of Jesus and the sacrifice that was made on the cross many years ago (Ephesians 1:7).  

Where would we be today without the sacrifice?

We have nothing that we can offer to repay the debt paid at the cross. We cannot give God anything to repay Him for His grace and mercy.  He is faithful even when we are not (2 Timothy 2:13). God sent His Son to die for our sins (Romans 5:8), so today we remember the pain and suffering that Jesus went through but we celebrate our living God who rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4). JESUS ROSE ON THE THIRD DAY SO WE CAN RISE EVERY DAY.  He conquered death (Revelation 1:18). The grave could not hold Him because He is sovereign

Through our baptism, the confession of our sins and acceptance that Jesus is Lord in our lives we are set free and cannot be bound.  Satan has no power over us (John 14:30).  We are free and have the power over satan and all schemes and plans of the enemy to separate us from God.  We have victory in a fallen world…thank you Jesus!

When Jesus rose from the dead He gave all who believed in Him the power to accomplish all things through Him. Where would we be if Jesus did not go to the cross? We would be running around deep in sin looking for enjoyment, chasing the wind of pleasure which could never quench our thirst.  We will look in clubs, drink, drugs and sexual immorality for something to satisfy us but until we drink from the cup of Jesus we will thirst forever. He is the Living Water and when we drink from His well we will thirst no more (John 4:14).  We would be like wondering sheep in the wilderness without a shepherd but because of Jesus and the cross we are free. We know who we are and whose we are.  No longer are we aimless wanderers. We have a purpose and a promise. He will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 3:6-8).  Nothing shall separate us from His love.  No weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54:17).  He will give us exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask for (Ephesians 3:20-21).

When we are lost who do we turn to? Who do we thank when we wake up in the morning? No one?  When things go bad who could we turn to?  When things are well who do we thank and what for?  We were truly lost in the wilderness with no purpose; in a ship at sea with no compass or direction but the blood of Jesus and the cross conquered all that satan meant for evil.  Satan came to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus came so that we could have life and the fullness thereof.  Through His blood and the cross we have been set free.

Where would we be without Jesus??!!

Did You Get The Memo

Did You Get The Memo

God will often send a memo to your spirit before He reveals the message in the natural.  

We have all experienced that “gut feeling” when we know from somewhere in our spirit that something isn't right or we shouldn't go somewhere or do something.  Well I believe that that’s when God speaks to us in the spirit before revealing the reason in the natural; that’s when He sends a memo to our spirit.  Do you read the memo and follow its instructions or do you go your own way anyway? If you don't read the memo you will never get the message!

I remember shortly after I gave my life to Christ, I was invited by my friends to a night club. There was nothing extraordinary about that. It was very normal for us to link up and go to the club. To enjoy a good night out; music, alcohol and all the trimmings, so I thought, why not?  It can’t do any harm; I’ll go but I just won’t partake in the goings on. I’m a Christian now, I've been saved and I can do this. I’m strong enough to resist temptation. I can rely on me. But when I got there, I received a memo from God.  Somewhere deep inside me I knew I shouldn't be there. It didn't feel the same as before and I knew I had to leave in that instant. You see I was trying to rely on my own strength (Philippians 3:3), I tried to fight a new fight with old tactics not realising that though my spirit was willing my flesh was weak (Matthew 26:41).  I drove home that night angry, disappointed and frustrated at God.  Why didn't He want me to have a good time? But He had a plan for me; a purpose for me and He knew that my strength to fight the enemy did not lie in my efforts but in fact in His strength. I got home that night and received another memo to my spirit.  This time it was to pick up the Bible and read.  To this day I don’t recall exactly which scripture I read but I know that as I read, calm came over me and I felt at peace.  I realised that God was rescuing me from myself. 

Did you get a memo?  Did you read it and follow its instructions?

Many times we do things which we know goes against what is Gods will for us and by doing so we allow the enemy to keep us down but God knows our path even before we take a step and He will speak to our spirit to show us the error of our ways.  He will send a memo to our spirit to show us His purpose for us.  Often what we want to do is not what we need to do and if we would just read the memo and follow its instructions we will not fall off the path that has been laid for us. Our footsteps will be ordered and we will walk in prosperity (Psalm 37:23).  All the great men of the Bible received memos to their spirit before it materialised in the natural as a message.  Had they ignored the memo where would we be today?  Abraham received a memo and followed its instructions.  God spoke to his spirit and told him to take his son Isaac up to the mountain to be sacrificed. Despite Isaac being promised to Abraham, he followed the instructions and Isaac was saved and Abraham blessed for his obedience (Genesis 22). Joseph was sent a memo about being a future leader and despite his suffering at the hands of his brothers he followed the instructions and God prospered him (Genesis 37).  Moses was sent a memo and followed the instructions and God parted the sea for him and the children of Israel to cross over (Exodus 14:21-31).  Noah received a memo in his spirit, followed its instructions and as a result God prospered him (Genesis 6:13-21).

We have all been made by and for Gods glory so when He sees us about to step away from His glory He will speak to our spirit man, He will send a memo to our spirit to warn us; to save us from the attempts of the enemy but we must follow the instructions.  

I am a living, walking, talking testimony of a recipient of “a memo to my spirit”.  God knows I have a heart for Him but so does the enemy and just as God desires me so does the enemy.  I have been tempted in many ways; in my relationships, my finances, my business but each time God sends a memo to my spirit.  He speaks to me in the spiritual.  The enemy can only tempt you with the natural because he is of this world but God says my sheep knows my voice and will follow no other (John 10:27).  Are you one of His sheep? Do you know His voice? You can only receive the memo if you’re one of His sheep.  

Did you get the memo? Have you missed the message?

In Spite Of You

In Spite Of You

You are a winner in spite of your struggles.  You have not been chosen because you are great, you've been chosen in spite of your short comings.  In spite of yourself God chose you and He will continue to sustain you and open doors for you.  There are doors that may never open for you but that’s because those doors are not meant to be open to you.  He will open the right doors at the right time but you must believe in Him. The doors you can see are not always the doors that you need opened for you.  Your journey is not about what you can see but about what God has for you.  It’s not about what you can see in the natural but what you can see in the spiritual and if you can see it in the spiritual then you need to speak it into the natural (Romans 4:17). You must put your trust in Him in spite of your circumstances and believe in Him for better days.  Your life on earth is a journey to Gods kingdom.  All around you may crash but He will always remain (Matthew 24:35).  You will lose some things on your journey; some things will fall away but He will bring new and better things into your life.  You will go through some barren places, you will feel isolated, worn out but He will sustain you, in spite of your circumstance.

I went through a period of famine but He sustained me through it.  I was weary and tired but he strengthened me.  I stood still in His presence and sought Him and He was found by me.  If you stand He will stand with you.  He will provide for all your needs in spite of yourself (Luke 11:11-12). He is the same yesterday, today and forever; believe in Him today for your tomorrow. The life I am living now is my dream from yesterday. It’s my present but it was once my future and it will very soon be my past. It is temporary; be careful not to make permanent decisions in a temporary place. Last week this week was your future and next week this week will be your past. Don’t just sit in your present and expect your future to happen. Keep speaking your future into the atmosphere. Speak it; see it; believe it and live for it.

In spite of your challenges don’t sit in it. Accept its happening but fight back; it’s only the spirit of the enemy but you are armed with the Sword of the Word to defeat him. Speak your way out of your situation. God’s word is all you need, it’s your sword and it is powerful (Proverbs 18:21); it is the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:1-17). It is all you need to get out of your situation. Some situations cannot be fought in the flesh; the flesh will only buffer the situation but Gods word will break it. Don’t doubt that He can help you because you've messed up. He wants to and will help in spite of your mess ups; in spite of your situation; in spite of yourself. He is able and can do all things (Ephesians 3:20). He is the Master, the Creator of the universe and there’s nothing He can’t do.  He will let things happen, let you have your way but in the end He will have the final say in spite of your situation or what you've done. He could have stopped Daniel from being trapped in the lion’s den (Daniel 6:16-22); He could have stopped the three Hebrew boys from being thrown into the fire (Daniel 3:14-27) but He allowed it to happen because the enemy can do what he wants but God will always have the final word and His glory will be seen.  So let the fire burn, let the lion row, let the bills come, let the attacks come but keep God at the centre. In spite of what’s going on around you and in your life, say “Lord, I need to feel your presence now, I need to see your hand but if I don’t, I will still praise you.”  He will always be God no matter what.  No matter what the struggle He will still be God.  While you’re fighting to pay your bills, someone is fighting for their life but He is still God in both situations.  In spite of who you are or what you’re going through, keep Him at the centre and you will win the fight.  You were made to be a winner, a warrior, not for the armchair but for battles.  

One encounter with Christ changes your life and you will never be the same again. You will be a new person in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) but you will have to arm yourself because the enemy will fight to reclaim you (Luke 22: 31-34); to take you back to your old life and you will have to fight so arm yourself with the word of God and wear His armour always (Ephesians 6:13-18). The enemy will have you as a target and you will have to shoot back; arm yourself with God – you can either die standing up or lying down. Stand up for the Lord and fight, you will be whipped, broken and tired but He will reward you (Matthew 5:12).  At the end of every struggle is a reward. 

Some mornings I wake up and struggle to go to work. If I stay in bed I won’t earn to pay my bills so I may as well go to work. As long as I have the strength to work and pay my bills I will use that strength. If you've got God in you, use him. Your life is not yours anyway, it belongs to Him so let Him have His will and His way. It’s about what He can do not what you can do because you can’t do anything without him, He created you. He is God in spite of you, in spite of your inabilities because He made you and gave you your abilities. He gave you life so if He does no more, He’s already done enough.  He made you so that His grace and mercy can be seen in you. You've not been invisible because by His grace He made a way for you to prosper. You will have to fight to take back what’s rightfully yours from the enemy.  He gave His only Son to die for you in spite of your mess ups and your sins so why should you go through life with nothing happening to you. Just as Jesus was tested, ridiculed, beaten and battered you may also be but blessed are those who trust and love the Lord (Jeremiah 17:7-8).  God chose to come into a covenant agreement with you so you’re already blessed; the rest is a bi-product of His love for you. In spite of yourself He blessed you even before you was born and planned ahead to prosper you (Jeremiah 1:5) & (Jeremiah 29:11), so if He decides to put something in you to give to the world, you are even more blessed. What I have got in me, this message, His words, is a blessing and I am excited and humbled but I don’t boast about me I boast about God (Jeremiah 9:23-24).  His hand of favour is on me for you. It’s not about me; He can appear whenever He’s ready and bless me or take away the blessing if I don’t share it, if I don’t use it to glorify Him, if I don’t bless others with what He’s placed in me.  He has blessed me but just like you I go through struggles, dry places, I have concerns and sleepless nights but I am still thankful that even though I may not be having the best time God is so deep within me that in spite of all my struggles He still comes through for me.  He puts me under pressure so that what He’s deposited in me can come out.  Be careful of what you allow to get inside of you because when you’re under pressure what’s in you will be what comes out.  God will bless and has blessed you in spite of who you are, where you are, what you are; He doesn't need you to be God, He is God all by himself in spite of you.

Extraordinary Overcomer

Extraordinary Overcomer

I am an overcomer; there’s nothing that can overcome me because I am Gods anointed (1 John 2:27). I am victorious, triumphant; there is no challenge or situation I can’t overcome.  God put the power in me to overcome.  I will go into every territory and reclaim what’s mine.  Happiness is mine, prosperity is mine, success is mine, the business is mine; I am victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57). God is my portion and will protect what He’s given to me.  I trust Him with everything I've got because He gave it to me.  If I lose something then I know that it wasn't for me and that He’s got something better for me.  People have come and left many times in my life, things have come and gone but my God has never left me; He is always with me and will be to the end of times (Matthew 28:20).

The business I run today is not by accident; God opened that door for me to prosper me because I am His anointed.  He promised that He will be with me come what may as long as I abide in Him and Him in me.  There will be challenges, struggles, fights but whatever comes my way its Gods opportunity to strengthen me and it will work out for my good.  He will raise His Standard and strengthen me to soar to those heights. The enemy will attack me but there’s nothing new he can come at me with, he is a counterfeit; he comes to try and steal my seed because I am growing from strength to strength in and towards God and with God I can shake off the world and be victorious.  This makes the enemy furious so he will attack my growth.  My interest is in God’s word so I expect the enemy to be unhappy, I expect him to try and crush me (2 Corinthians 4:8) but I will rise again.  There will be tight places that I will have to fight my way out of but my strength is in the Lord and I will trust Him (Nahum 1:7). 

The Bible teaches us that the grass and flowers will grow and fade but the word of God will never fade, it is for yesterday, today and forever (Isaiah 40:8).  There are no circumstances where His word will change.  This world we live in will try and dupe us into believing that His word has changed, but the world is our enemy.  Stand on God’s word and see what the enemy’s got...NOTHING.  He is a counterfeit and that’s all he can come at you with.  He has nothing original because he is not a creator; he is an imitator, a deceiver; .

Look back and see where you've come from; you've come a long way and you've been prosperous, don’t allow the enemy to fool you, and don’t give in to the battles and struggles he’s throwing at you.  Even if you've got to go back and get your sling shot, keep fighting you’ll make it.  Jesus already won the battle for you (1 Corinthians 15:57).  It doesn't mean you won’t have battles but God will show you that He is bigger than any circumstances.  He is God and he is God all by himself so He will overcome everything on your behalf.  Whatever the enemy throws at you can only affect you short term because Gods plan for you is for life not for death (John 10:10).  He is your Deliverer.  He is the same God yesterday, today and forever.  He is the same God that delivered the children of Israel from the hands of Pharaoh, the same God that delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fire (Daniel 3:25-27); He is the same God that spoke the universe into existence; He is the same God that brought the dead bones back to life (Ezekiel 37:1-14); so ask yourself...who am I?  You are a child of God and in Him no weapons formed nor no words spoken against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).  Let the enemy come at you with all he’s got because as long as your strength is in the Lord he will lose; he may seem to win temporarily but in the end he will lose (read the book and see the end outcome...read the Bible).

In this world you will have battles to fight and you will grow tired and weary, you’ll be knocked down but you were not made to stay down. Sometimes you've just got to get back into the ring and start boxing again; start running again; get back in the gym and get ready for the battle.  No one said it was going to be a stroll in the park but you were not designed to lose the battle, you are a winner. Don’t be disheartened by the struggles, because God is with you.  Each level of blessing will come with a level of struggle (Jeremiah 1:5-10).  Jeremiah was getting disheartened but God spoke to him.  There will always be different battles, struggles and fights but there will always be one God and in God you will always rise up. 

There is only two places you need to be – up or rising up.  Down is only for visiting, don’t stay there; fight your way back.  Whatever your struggles God will take care of it for you (Exodus 14:4 & Jeremiah 30:17).  It doesn't mean your struggles won’t come and you will get battered at times but God will heal and strengthen you.  He will turn your situation into something good.  What makes something good is the absence of bad; what makes something dark is the absence of light but Jesus said “I am the Truth, the Light and the Life”, in Him all things are good and you will always walk in the light.  Don’t fight your battles on your own, apply Gods word and wait on Him (Isaiah 40:31).

Gods’ word is food, it strengthens us.  His word is wisdom it warns us of the struggles before they come to us.  Feed yourself daily with His word.  Gods’ word is your weapon, your sword and your shield; the enemy is scared because you've drawn your sword.  God told you that the enemy is a liar; he is only out to steal your joy and peace (john 10:10).  God gave you that joy and peace as a gift don’t let it be stolen by the enemy.  He may try to take it but it won’t fit him because it’s for you.  He is the prince of darkness and only operates in lies but God is wisdom and truth, He can’t lie and He promised to win your battles for you so go into battle, get the bloody nose, get battered and bruised but know that God has already won for you.  He is a winner and a sustainer.  Praise Him through your struggles, let the enemy take your things of this world but don’t let Him take the word of God from you.

Because you’re in a tight spot doesn't mean it’s time to give up.  Your tight spots produce fruitfulness and prosperity.  When you’re there don’t eat junk food, eat well, eat healthily, feed yourself on your spiritual food; God’s word.  Even if mentally you've been overpowered speak to God...”Lord, today I am weak, fill me with the light and life of your Holy Spirit and energise me; I am tired and weary but if you would just energise and enthuse me I know I can make it”.  Don’t be disheartened or dismayed; go through the fight, don’t let the fight go through you because He’s already conquered the enemy for you.  Don’t struggle to hold on to the things of this world, you came with nothing and will leave with nothing so keep praising God (Book of Job).  He’s got a plan for you.  He placed the love and desire for Him in your heart and if you call on Him He’ll show you that He is the CEO; the Author & Finisher; the Creator of your faith.  Do you realise what you are and what’s in you? You are what He’s made you.  He fashioned you, you’re the apple of His eye, and you are His prized possession. Don’t settle for less than He has for you.  He’s put you where you are to take you somewhere else; to another level but on your journey you will have to pull up some weeds.  Weeds are never planted in a garden but as the flowers grow so do the weeds and you have to pull up the weeds so that the flower can flourish.  When you’re going somewhere both good and bad things will come your way, expect them but just like the flower bed, you will have to pluck out the bad things. 

Keep smiling through the struggles.   Keep Gods spirit alive in you.  People will see you and say; “wow, your faith is strong” but they don’t realise what you've had to go through to get there, what it’s costed you.  Everything comes at a cost; the word that’s in you comes at a cost in the form of battles and struggles but God created you to be extraordinary.  He is the God of Jacob and Isaac, both extraordinary people.  It’s in your blood line to be extraordinary and achieve extraordinary things.  Your struggles may take you away from where you are to somewhere you may not want to go but trust God.  Moses had to leave living in a lap of luxury; David came from the backside of a mountain and they both had what seemed like enormous battles but God was with them and he conquered the enemy for them.  Job was a man who had it all and lost it all but he remained faithful to the Lord and won the battle.  All extraordinary men who encountered extraordinary battles but they were victorious and prospered.  We all have to go through stuff but we are not like the people of the world, we are extraordinary people.  Your dreams and desires are big but so will your struggle and battles be, but God designed you for them; He chose you because you are extraordinary.

The Power In Thank You

The Power In Thank You

We dream small dreams because of lack of faith.  What you make provision for is what will happen.  Though in the natural things don't look great, keep standing on your faith.  Be careful not to plan too small, it will stifle what Gods got for you but don't make a plan that you've not involved God in. When your plans are too small God won't bless it. You're disappointed because you didn't get what you wanted but God didn't plan that for you. He has big plans for you. When you desire something but go for something smaller God won't open that door for you. Joshua's capability was not to walk through the water but he had to; Peters capability was not to walk on water but he was able to (Matthew 14:22-33 Then Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus); it was what God had planned for them. The circumstances around you will try to dictate your dreams/desires but God is in control. When you dream inside of your capabilities you are limited, you should dream outside of your capabilities. You got to where you are by the grace of God and not by your own strength.  Despite you being on the back of a mountain, your upbringing or where you are, God can give you what you can dream for; He will give you the desires of your heart according to His will but you must have Him at the centre. Keep Him in the centre by thanking Him for what you've got. Him being in the centre means not asking but thanking Him. Saying thank you is such a powerful thing. Thank you Lord for waking me up, for the air I breath, for the steps I take and the food I've eaten. Have an attitude of gratitude. Your thanksgiving prayer is bigger than your asking prayer.

I remember being in my bedroom feeling alone and going through some painful stuff, I was under attack but I got on my knees and just started thanking God. I didn't know what I was thanking Him for but I knew He went ahead, that He's the Author and the Finisher. That He called me out to carry me through. I know the plans He had for me and if I seek Him He would be found by me. I laid on my bed and said Lord I need to feel your presence and in that moment I felt Gods arms around me; I actually physically felt arms around me. 

Your situation is so jacked up that you don't know where to begin praying. That's when you bow down and worship Him, that's when He moves (John 4:22 Worship in spirit and truth).  In my experience those prayers of thank you breaks barriers. There is so much to thank Him for that you just need to stop and thank Him.

God sees your struggles, insecurities, pain, tears that have not even come out yet, they're in your heart but God sees them and is working it through. He's unpacked it, laid it out and is putting it back together making sure each bit fits. He's got you at the potter's wheel (Jeremiah 18:3 So I went down to the potters house and I saw him working at the wheel); It doesn't look like much now, but He is forming you. What you see may be just a lump of rock but that's how diamonds start. What God does with people is like that lump of rock. When you're building a house you will need the best material you have to cut the rough edges out. All the great beautiful buildings didn't just appear beautiful, the rough edges had to be cut out.  
Keep God at your centre but it starts with thanksgiving. Surrender your day, week, month, year and lifetime to Him. Let Him have His will and way.  Lord strengthen me in my weak areas. Lift me up when I fall. Give me discernment to see the things I can't see and know the things I don't know; the things the enemy will bring to me.  Lord I surrender all of me to you because I don't want to fight these things on my own so am giving it all to You. Guide me Lord. Help me to be a good steward of the things You give to me. Let my desires for the things I want not go ahead of Your will.  Let me wait on You Lord. Take possession of my tomorrow.  Our tomorrows are what we dream/think about. Our desires are in tomorrow not yesterday so let go of the past and look forward to tomorrow (Isaiah 43:18 Forget the former things. don't dwell on the past).

What moves God is taking the time to talk to and about Him; to lift Him up; to acknowledge Him as Sovereign in your life. When you thank Him for what He's done, is doing and is going to do it moves Him. Look back and see what you've received and measure what you've given against what you've received. God's already got your house built waiting for you but He's looking for you to build His kingdom because He loves you (Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you). He knows you love Him before you know you love Him. God is previous.  Gods' ways are not our ways.  He is and has your portion.  He is ours and we are His.  He belongs to us and we belong to Him so He is our portion. He has the power to save and preserve. We can't preserve or save ourselves.  Getting saved is one thing, staying saved is another thing.  It's like being married or getting the job, being promoted or being elected. God came and saved us from ourselves. In His grace and mercy He saved and preserved us. He is I Am (Exodus 3:1 God said to Moses "I Am who I Am") - He is all that you need.  He is our Saviour, Redeemer, Provider and Sustainer. He is I Am. Our salvation is totally dependent on God. Through God we are kept and keep what He's blessed us with. Job was stripped of all he had but he kept God at the centre and he was blessed and received twice what he had before. God preserved him (Book of Job).

When I got saved I had everything but I lost almost everything; through it all God preserved me, prepared me and propelled me. While He was preserving me He was placing the seed for growth in me.  He dropped some stuff on me for the future.  What you're hearing now is the growth from the seed that was sown over a period of time.  He saved, preserved, prepared and is now propelling me. Setbacks became setups for comebacks.  

A bow and an arrow is what the Red Indians used to fight the Anglo Americans. You have to put the arrow in and pull the bow back. The bow has to come under a certain amount of pressure and while that is happening the arrow is getting into position.  We must look at ourselves as bow and arrows.  Sometimes God has to put us under some pressure so our arrows can be released.  No matter how good we are, unless God puts us under some pressure what's in us can't come out. There's nothing in us that He doesn't know about.  He placed it there and strengthens us for when the time is right for it to come out.  He that began a good work in us...(Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus).  He's gone to this much trouble to save you why would He give up on you?  He will be with you till the very end but you will have to allow Him.  If you abide in Me and Me in you, you can ask anything in My name (John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you).  It doesn't matter what the world says He will sustain you to the end.  The world will make you thirsty but God will give you water from the Everlasting Fountain of Life (John 7:37 If anyone is thirsty let him come to Me and drink)......Thank you Lord

The Drought Is Over

The Drought Is Over

We all go through dry places; whether we are Christians or not. This can happen even when we are in God’s will, just like Job (Book of Job). Or the spirit of the Lord may have left us like Sampson or Saul. Sometimes our stubbornness and unwillingness to hear from God or anyone else as well as or determination for self indulgence and impatience can lead us into dry, dark, unfruitful places. Some of the wealthiest people in the world are spiritually bankrupt and have an empty existence. We can become snared by the deceitful trickery and promises of the fallen world we live in and the idols we surround ourselves with.

Being born again baptised and Holy Ghost filled does not make us immune to the narrow valleys of life. Our Heavenly Father never promised the road would be easy. He told us that we would have our share of problems, but be of good cheer as He has conquered the world (John 16:33). The seasons we go through form part of our journey and our testimonies.

Our faith in God is very much like a muscle that needs to be trained and put under pressure in order to grow. You may attend the gym to grow your biceps and triceps. Our faith gets bulked up and pumped up in our drought seasons. We see the results as we build resistance to the circumstance and pressures we face.  (James 1:3) For when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow, so let it grow, for when your endurance has fully developed you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

One of our biggest problems is wanting immediate results, either in the gym or in everyday life. We want sunshine every day. But without pain there can be no gain. Hours on that treadmill will pay off eventually. We sow our seed in sorrow but we reap or blessings in the joy that comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Can you endure the test of time for what God has for you?  God blesses those who patiently endure the testing. Afterwards they shall receive the crown of life God has promised those who love Him (James 1 12)

Do You Love Him?  What has He promised you?

We often get caught up in going about our daily life slowly drifting of course like a ship in the ocean. Many of us have found that cracks start to appear in our world just like cracks in the potters jar. God is ultimately our Potter and we are the clay. Sometimes He will have to break us in order to reshape our lives. He may need to reshape you, re-position you in order to propel you.  Your drought or dry place may well be where He is doing this.

Just like with the children of Egypt, God’s will is for us to be free from captivity and the drought of the barren land that we are camped in. Sometimes we stay broken because we have built our house where we should have pitched a tent. We have settled for less than God planned for us on the wrong side of the mountain. While we were there we exhausted all our energy and resources. We need to get back on the Potter’s wheel where we can be reshaped and made new again. Can the clay speak to the potter? No the potter must make what he sees fit (Jeremiah 18:3-6).  God who has begun a good work in you will see it through to the end (Philippians 1:6).  Most of the time our success is hidden under our past failures and we just need to surrender and turn away from our self destruction.

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made him their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or the long months of drought (Jeremiah 17:7-8).  Question: Have you made the Lord your hope and confidence? Are you satisfied with being unfruitful or are you like a well watered tree with strength at all times in crisis and even some to share with others?

Those who trust in the Lord will have renewed strength and will rise up like eagles; they shall not grow weary (Isaiah 40:31).  We all have needs, greed's and desires.  Some of our wants are more legitimate than others, but God wants all of our desires to be met in line with His purpose for our lives. You may wish for a husband, a wife, car, house, better job or even more money. Often we struggle to listen to God and obey His instructions. Disobedience can prolong our drought season. When we listen and ignore the message it’s equally bad (James 1:23).  For those who listen and don't obey it’s like looking at your image in a mirror and doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself but walk away forgetting what you look like. But if you look steadily into God’s perfect law- the law that sets you free - and do what it says and don't forget what you heard, God will bless you.

Let us not miss out on what God has for us and stay in a barren land like the children of Israel for the sake of not acting on what God has told you. (Isaiah 58:11) "As we yield to His voice, the Lord will draw us out of our dry place so that we can become valuable vessels. The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your soul in drought and make fat your bones and you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters shall not fail"

Gods word is sovereign and He wants the best for us. (Jeremiah 29: 11) “The plans I have for you are for good and not for evil; to prosper you and to give you a future. If you seek Me earnestly I shall be found by you.

Brothers and sisters:  THE DROUGHT IS OVER!!