Are You Using Your Compass

Are You Using Your Compass

The Holy Spirit is there to remind us of our right standing with God but also to make us aware of our sins.  Jesus said He will send us a Comforter (John 14:26).  His Spirit in us is our Comforter. The Holy Spirit is there to speak to us about where we are and where we are meant to be. To show us what is right and what is wrong according to God’s Word.  It is our SatNav, our compass to the place of righteous in Christ. It is Christ in us. The Bible teaches us that we are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit and if a man does not have the Holy Spirit then he does not belong to Christ (Romans 8:9).  We live in a world that does not have the Holy Spirit because the world is not seeking the Holy Spirit, a world that seeks human philosophy and not the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 2:5). Without the Holy Spirit we are continually faced with questions without answer because our minds are continually in the dark.  This world bases its’ faith in religious laws and rituals but we are made righteous by our faith in Christ (Romans 5:1)  Once our faith reaches its rightful place our Spirit will align with God’s laws. We are renewed as Christians by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). It is only by the renewing of our minds that we can see clearly and come into line with the laws of God (Romans 3:28); (Galatians 2:16).  The Spirit is a gift given freely to us by God and it comes with benefits (1 Corinthians 12-14).  When we operate in the Spirit of God we gain the peace that surpasses all understanding, not that the world can give or take away (Philippians 4:6-7).  To operate in the spirit is to let peace be the umpire in our entire decision making.  God alone can give us that peace through His Spirit.  The devil cannot counterfeit that peace.  He lives in a world of confusion and does not understand the peace of God.  When we obtain that peace we no longer need to fight the unseen evils of the world.  The Spirit becomes our defender.  We no longer have to fight the things of this world by our might or strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit (Zachariah 4:6)

It is through the Holy Spirit and the conviction of our faith that we fall into obedience with the laws of the Word and Gods will (Romans 3:22-31).  As our Spirit grows we are drawn to do things that are pleasing to God.  As our faith grows so does our Spirit and we are then able to stand in obedience to the laws of God’s Word.  Obedience to the Spirit is key to a fruitful Christian walk and a devoted relationship with God. Every act of obedience is rewarded by God and no act of disobedience goes unnoticed (2 Corinthians 5:10).  Like any parent who rewards and disciplines their children, it isn't always done at the moment of the act.  As a child growing up I knew that when I did something good, an act of obedience, my parents would reward me..eventually, either by praising me or with a token gift.  At the same time, I also knew that when I did something wrong, an act of disobedience, at some point I will have to pay the penalty by way of some form of chastisement.  My obedience or disobedience never went unnoticed or unrewarded.  Disobedience is the sin that removes Gods Spirit from us.  Saul lost his life because of disobedience (1 Samuel 15:1-35); Moses never saw the Promised Land because of disobedience (Numbers 20:12). The Spirit of the Lord left Saul (1 Samuel 16:14), Samson (Judges 16:20) and Solomon (1 Kings 11: 1-13) but neither of them realised it until it was too late.  Obedience is the act of faith for which we are rewarded.  Noah obeyed God and was rewarded (Hebrews 11:7). Abraham was blessed for his obedience (Genesis 22:1-18).  Job was faithful and obedient and got double for his trouble (book of Job).

The whispers we hear; the voice of reason that makes us uncomfortable with any given situation; the awakening of our conscience to guilt or discomfort, these are the vessels used for awakening us to Gods Spirit in us.  It is an inherent blue print of what’s right and what’s wrong.  It’s our built-in compass.  Let the Spirit be your guide to the Truth, the Light and the Way (John 14:16)

The Promise And The Problem

The Promise And The Problem

How many of us run from the problem and rob ourselves of the promise?

We fail to get the promise because we don't want to deal with the problem. We want the fit body but don't want to go to the gym. We want the promotion but not the responsibility. We want armchair results but God said "I go before you to make your path straight" (Isaiah 45:2). He made a promise and He is not man that He will not fulfill His promise.  Actions comes before motivation and if we would only take the first step toward overcoming the problem He will walk us through the problem to the promise.  He is always with us.  To get to the promise we may have to go through the valley but He will not abandon us, His rod and staff (Word & Spirit) will be with us (Psalm 23).  When we step up and deal with the problem He will give us what we need on our journey. At the beginning of our journey we will be weak but He will strengthen us, He will give us our daily bread, He will feed us enough for each day of the battle. He gives us what we need on our journey to the promise. Once we make the first step He will energise us, He is the Waymaker (Exodus 3:21)

The promise always comes with a problem but God ordered us to have dominion (Genesis 1:26-28). The promise land was called the promise land because it was a promise but Moses and the children of Israel had to work to get there. They encountered problems on their journey.  God never said the journey to the promise was going to be easy but He said He will be with us all the way.  Joshua and Caleb saw giants in the promise land but Caleb knew that they had the favour of God and was able to take on the problem and win (Numbers 13:30). The land was the promise but the giants was the problem.  Don't rob your self of the promise by not handling the problem. 

Don't delay, the promise is on the way. The promise is hidden in the problem. What are the problems in your life that you're running from? Peter, Jesus' most loyal disciple wanted the promise of eternal life but when the problem before the promise came he bottled out (Mark 14:66-72).  He did not want the hassle of acknowledging Jesus as his friend.  His association with Jesus posed a problem for him. Adam and Eve was in the Garden of Eden, God gave them the promise of eternal life but the problem was the tree of knowledge. The promise was delayed because they couldn't handle the problem.

God said we are to wear Him at all times (Ephesians 6:11) and we will be protected from the problem.  We were created to be conquerors not to be conquered (Romans 8:37), to be overcomers not to be overcome.  Go through the problem don't let the problem go through you. He will make you the head and not the tail    (Deuteronomy 28:13) Don't let the tail wag the dog, let the dog wag it's tail.  

The Promise is yours, the problem is His

Are You Prepared To Stand Alone

Are You Prepared To Stand Alone

If we are totally honest, standing alone can be uncomfortable and most of us avoid it wherever possible.  We even fear it.  But God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Abraham had to leave all that he knew to enter a foreign land where he was alone (Genesis 11:39 & 19:9).  God had to get him out of his comfort zone in order to use and bless him. The Lord promised Abraham that He would make his descendants as plentiful as the stars in the sky. Ask yourself these questions : Are you in your comfort zone? Can God pour out His blessings on you where you are and if He did would you recognise that God had sent them? 
The truth is we never stand alone. Our Heavenly Father always stands with us, even if we don't realise or recognise Him.  Maybe we need to stop depending on family, friends and familiar things. Familiarity breads contempt, contempt breads bad company and bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).  Gods word teaches us to not lean on our own understanding but to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways and He will direct our path (Proverbs 3:5-6).  Standing alone does not mean being alone. We can be surrounded by people and still feel alone if they are the wrong people.
Right decisions are not always popular but that does not mean they are not right.  Popular decisions are often wrong.  Pontius Pilate made a decision to free Barabbas and crucified Jesus.  At the time it was a popular decision but was it the right one?  If we stand on the Word of God when making decisions, He will order our steps. Noah heard from God when he decided to build the ark (Genesis 6:14). This decision made Noah look silly and unpopular but when the rain came everyone wanted to be next to Noah. 
When I surrendered my life to Christ many people thought I was crazy and could not understand why I wanted to turn away from the  things of the world.  They thought I'd lost the plot.  Some of them stepped away from me.  Overnight my popularity plummeted.  I had gone out on my own against the norm but I knew then as I know now that it was the best decision I ever made.  I received immediate peace.  The peace that surpasses all understanding, not the peace the world could give to me or take away (Philippians 4:7).  Many of my friends are still chasing, seeking the peace that I have, they look for it in multiple relationships, night clubs, drinks and drugs.  My unpopular decision served me well.  I was prepared to stand alone and stand for Jesus.  This decision was not about being popular, it was about my salvation and eternal life. It turned out to be the one single decision that transformed my life as well as the test of my life and my faith in Jesus.  What decisions are you facing?  What's at stake and who is guiding you?
Just like Abraham, by faith I followed where God led me and I realised He led me here, far away from my comfort zone and all I knew to raise me up to be the man He wants me to be and to bless me so I can bless others.  Just like when the Lord blessed Abraham. God will get the glory and praise because my life would be a testimony of what He can do.  I came away from my comfort zone with neither man or woman by my side.  My decision was to be bold and follow where the Lord leads me.  God said to Joshua, "Be bold and of good courage" (Joshua 1:9).  He said "Every place that the sole of your feet tread upon I will give to you" (Joshua 1:3).  Where is God asking you to go?
God can do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask for (Ephesians 3:20).  Will you stand alone with Him?  My decision to start my own business in the midst of a recession was like Noah and the ark which was built when there was no rain.  Many said to me that I was crazy and I shouldn't do it because it was the wrong time, I didn't have the money or the experience and in the natural they were right but I had Gods Grace and I heard His voice.  He didn't tell me to get a regular job, He told me He didn't have a job for me but He had a business for me.  He said step out and step up, be bold and courageous. We all want to walk on water but remain in the boat.  Major decisions are often made by a minority like Jesus and the twelve disciples. A few good men can change the world. People like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Moses, David, Joshua and Caleb...heroes but still men.  God promised that though 1000 may fall at your left side and 10,000 at your right nothing shall  touch Gods anointed (Psalm 91:7)
No eyes have seen no ear heard nor has it entered the mind of man all that God has planned for him (1 Corinthians 2:9) :  Will you stand alone for Jesus today?

WHEN THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD

WHEN THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD

What do you do when the rubber hits the road?  What do you do when things have gone totally wrong?  It's all gone pear shaped.  The marriage is broken.  Little Johnie is not at uni but is selling drugs and gone to jail.  You've lost your job.  The doctor says you have a lump in your breast.  Your mother just died.  The house is going to be repossessed.
We all know someone who has faced something like this.  Maybe you have too.  The devil has the art of deceit  darkness, devastating decisions, depression, distraction and ultimate destruction.  We know that he is a liar (John 8:44).  What do we do when we've prayed, fasted, tithed, cried and things are still not changing?  The devil wants us to say "where is God now?"  to question the power of God but I say that God is exactly where you left Him.  He is in heaven dealing with what you can't deal with.  He is watching just as He watched Jesus go to the cross for us.
We call all things as if they are so even if they are not so, we declare it so so that it can be so because Jesus said so (Romans 4:17).  In other words, speak victory over your situation; in the midst of your battle praise Him and give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  It's easy to praise God when we have what we want but what do we do when the rubber hits the road and the world says no.  We call on and wait to see what God says.  
I personally had a Job experience (Bible book of Job). I lost my job, my car as well as being separated from my family and all I held close.  My status and all I thought I stood for was gone...why? why is this happening to me? I asked myself.  So I called out to my God.  He had finally got my attention and it was then that He placed me in the words that I write today.  He said, hold on...can you still praise me now?  I want to know your heart...can you still worship me now?  Like Paul and Silas when they were in prison (Acts 16:16-40)...will you still lift up My name?  You may be in the wilderness now, but that's where Jesus went and that's exactly where God wanted Him.  God will never leave or forsake you.  It matters not what you go through, He's not brought you this far to leave you.  You may be in a storm feeling abandoned but if God is in the boat with you, you are in the right place.  So as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death fear no evil because God is with you.  When Moses went to ask for the freedom of the children of Israel, the Lord was with him (Exodus 3) and He will remain with you today in your difficult time....seek your Father who is in heaven,  He is waiting for your call.  Remember He knows and sees all.  He went ahead and dealt with all that concerns you.  The key is that He is waiting to see what you will do.  Will you seek Him or believe the lie of the devil?  When you have done all you can do in the natural, seek the Lord as He works where we can't see.  That's what you do when the rubber hits the road

You’re Not Ready For This: Don’t push yet

You’re Not Ready For This:  Don’t push yet

A pregnant woman in the throes of labour must learn to breath and push at the right time in order to give birth to the baby she is carrying. She has to wait and go through the contractions before she can push.  She has to endure pain and hardship before birthing what she is carrying.  She has to exercise patience and tolerance before she can receive and hold the blessing of her child.  Although it is her body enduring the pain, she is dependent on the midwife and doctors, the professionals to guide her and point her to the exact time to push.  Until she has fully dilated she is not ready to birth what’s inside her but when she gets to that point of complete dilation, she is guided through the pushing process until her gift is birth.
This is much the same as when God is about to take us to the next level of birthing what He’s placed in us.  He takes us through the pain and guides us into the delivery of the gift. He is the professional. We have to endure before we enjoy.  We have to learn to be patient in the midst of the pain.  Endurance is not about being made to suffer, it’s about being made stronger, it’s about being prepared, it’s about being made ready to receive His gift to us (Hebrews 10:36 AMP).  There are aspects of us that need chipping away in order to smooth our edges.  We need refining.  We need shaping.  A diamond has to go through the hottest fire in order to be refined, to be perfectly shaped.  God will take us through the fire but we won’t get burnt (Daniel 3:22-26 AMP).  It is the preparation process for our purpose.  Until we have been refined, gone through the fire and be made fit for purpose, we are not ready for what God has for us. Until we are fully open to His way and will we are not ready to receive the gift.  When God is refining us sometimes the situation looks disfigured, ugly and bent out of shape but just as the potter and the clay; the clay can’t tell the potter what he should make or dictate the process by which the end product is achieved.  The clay has to go through a shaping, refining process.  During the birth of a baby the worst pains are just before the baby is born but what a joy when the birth takes place.
Sometimes we need to go through pain while our dreams and ambitions are being birth.  The pains may last for hours, days or even months; the length of my night and your night may be different as will be our waiting times but weeping may last a night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5 AMP).  Joseph, Joshua, Moses and many other profound people of the Bible went through trials and challenges before the dream materialised.  We will all go through trials but remember God is in control.  Even Jesus had to go through trials and pain but what joy He received in the end.
God has placed something in us that He has a plan and a purpose for but He needs us to be ready for it.  He needs us to be strong, to be refined and ready to push and give birth to it.  He makes no mistakes and the process He takes us through is only a journey to our destiny.  It’s a building and strengthening process.  Pregnancy lasts nine months during which time the baby, the gift on the inside is developed, refined and formed.  At the end of the nine months when the gift has been made perfect, the gift carrier has to go through a process to be made ready to receive the gift. (Isaiah 48:10; 1 Peter 5:10; John 23:10).  Be comforted in the knowledge that your trials are Gods way of developing and preparing you to give birth.  To receive the joy He has purposed for you

The Seed Is In You

The Seed Is In You

When we look at an acorn it looks so insignificant. It's just a seed compared to an oak tree but do you realise that without the seemingly insignificant acorn there will be no oak tree? God placed His seed in all of us and hides success in what we deem to be strange places. Sometimes under past failures.Opportunities don't always come with a sign saying opportunity written on it. Some of the successes in my life came off the back of disappointment or were hidden by previous failures.  

David was on the backside of a mountain deep in sheep dung when the prophet Samuel sent  to get him - David was the successor for Saul (1 Samuel 16:11). God had already chosen David for great things although no one could see it, not even David himself. The acorn was already an oak tree. David was overlooked by his father Jesse and his brothers. Many of us have experienced this in our families and relationships but David was God's chosen vessel from the beginning of time. God makes no mistakes. David may not have been as big or experienced as others but God chooses His vessels in advance. He chose David and He's chosen you also. The Word says "the first shall be last and the last shall be first".  David came from the backside of a mountain to the battlefield. He needed no armour or shield, just the spirit of the Lord. The seemingly insignificant shepherd boy had the seed of a king. What seed are you carrying? David came from mediocrity to notoriety. God did it for him and He can do it for you. Saul offered his armour and spear but David refused.  He walked with the spirit of God, a sling and a stone (1 Samuel 17:45). God will use what you have in your hand. What do you have in your hand?  

Many of us have bought into the lie of the enemy. You can't do this; you can't have that; you can't go there...lies and more lies. I too bought into that lie as a child but the Lord had placed a seed inside me and the acorn burst and grew into an oak tree that now writes these words. The devil is a liar. When the Lord puts a seed in you, there will be a harvest.  It doesn't matter if the world says you're not smart enough, not qualified enough or you don't have the right education or background. We are heirs to the throne of the Almighty (Romans 8:17). We can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:10-13). David brought down Goliath with a shiny stone and a sling shot. God qualifies us not man. What giants do you have to tear down?  God has qualified you.  The seed of success and glory is already in you. Whatever you were told you can't do is not important. David was laughed at by his brothers but God had provided all David needed for the battle ahead. I believe God has done that for me. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23-26). The Word says seed time and harvest will always exist. The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. God has a huge harvest for us but we need to labour. You are an oak tree even if you feel like an acorn. Tap into the seed God has put in you and don't buy into the enemy's lie and believe the seed isn't there. The Lord came to give us life and the fullness thereof. Satan came to kill, steal and destroy.  The first thing he will steel is your joy but "Greater is He that's in you than he that's in the world" (1 John 4:4).  God's seed is in you and you are destined for the Throne.

All In Good Time : Stuff

 All In Good Time  :  Stuff

There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV).  God makes no mistakes and He will only take us to the place where He wants us to be at the appointed time.  He will only give to us what He has waiting for us at the appointed time.  How long will it take Him to get us there, for it to be given to us? Time...God’s time.

Even before we were born God had a plan for us. He chose to put us on the earth (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV).  He had already decided what He was going to do with us and where He was going to take us but there is a process to our progress.  Our journeys are not mistakes it was planned and where we are is where He meant for us to be.  Sometimes He keeps us where we are so that we can see some stuff, go through some stuff, live some stuff in order to know some stuff to be able to testify to some stuff.  Sometimes we have to fall down to be able to rise up (Micah 7:8 NIV).  Sometimes He will take us out of our comfort zones in order to bring us into our purpose zones (Matthew 19:21 NIV). The stuff we go through is only an endurance test to take us to our enjoyment rest.  The Bible tells us the story of Job who in the eyes of the Lord was found blameless but he had to go through some stuff in order to be refined and become as pure as gold (Job 23:10 NIV).  Job was an innocent man but he had to go through some stuff and at the appointed time he emerged pure as gold.  As people living in the natural we are quick to believe that we are ready for a blessing, that we have done all that’s required of us and that we are blameless and deserve the blessing.  God is not a respecter of man and He will decide when we are refined enough and able to handle the blessing He has for us.  All success stories are filled with struggles and coping with stuff before the glory day.  We go through stuff because if the blessings are given to us before we have the strength to handle it we will wreck it.  Even Jesus had to go through stuff before He got to the next level...We have not yet been tested to the point of death.  God makes no mistakes and His plans for us are according to His time.  If we would only praise Him at all times (1 Thessalonians 5 NIV) He will bless us with the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

His Delay Is Not Denial

His Delay Is Not Denial

God’s delay to answer our prayers is not a denial of the things we ask for.  His time is not our time and His ways are not our ways.
We operate in the times and ways of the world, the natural but God operates in the supernatural.  When we pray, we pray for where we are and what we can see but our God is omnipresent. (Psalm 139:7-10 NIV). He is where we are and where we’re going.  He sees what we see and what we can’t see so He answers our prayers based on what He has for us and where He’s taking us.  His answer to our prayers is based on the bigger picture, a picture we can’t see because we operate in the natural.  He operates in the order of things to come and takes us through a process to get us there.  All things worthwhile have to go through a process; wine always tastes better after its aged. The grapes has to be crushed, refined, left to settle for a while before being bottled but the longer it stands the better it tastes; Recipes has ingredients but in order to enjoy the end product it has to go through a process of time to be cooked; The changing of the seasons goes through a process. During each season the one to follow is being developed, it’s being processed in time.  Sometimes we have to endure before we can enjoy; it’s the refining, strengthening process.  He takes time to answer our prayers because He needs us to drop some things off.  The delay is so that he can prepare us to propel us. All good things take time to happen, to develop so God delays it for a reason, it may tarry but it will come to pass (Habakkuk 2:2 NIV).  What now?  Ask yourself, how many times I’ve been given something and wasted it? How many times I’ve said “If only I hadn’t done that I would be better off now”?  “If I knew then what I know now”?  If we’re not prepared we can’t prosper.  God’s delay is our preparation.

Our Mission : Gods Work

Our Mission :           Gods Work

(John 20:21 (AMP) Then Jesus said to them again “Peace to you! (just) as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.” And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”

Jesus was sent to us to carry out the works of God the Father.  He was made flesh so that he could walk amongst us in order for us to see and believe the works of the Lord and just as the Father sent Him filled with His Peace, so He has filled us with that Peace so that we can carry out the work of the Father.  He filled us with the Holy Spirit, the knowledge and power to do the works of the Father.

Jesus had a mission to complete and He walked and talked amongst the people of the earth ensuring that the mission was achieved but along the way He continually strengthened Himself by eating the Spiritual Food, fasting and praying; a process of replenishing Himself.  He went about His mission steadfastly feeding everyone not just by telling them of the Good News but by being an example of the Good News. 

We all have a mission.  We have all been given access to God’s Word and our mission is not to just read the Word and strengthen ourselves in the Word but to preach the Gospel of the Word.  Our mission is to practice, preach and teach the Gospel whether we are at home or on missionary work in Africa.  We are called first to be doers of the Word and not just readers of the Word.  It is our mission to bring the Word to the world and so we must live the Word as well as preach and teach the Word.

(Matthew 5:13 (AMP) You are the salt of the earth but if the salt has become tasteless how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and be trampled underfoot by men”). We are the salt of the earth, we season the earth but we can’t do that by simply reading the Word.  We don’t buy salt and leave it in the cupboard in the hope that our food will be seasoned because we have the salt.  We use the salt to add flavour to our food, to make it edible.  The word of God is given to us to be used, to bring God’s flavour to each other and this can only be achieved by hearing, teaching and living the Word.  God poured out his Holy Spirit into us just as we are to pour it into the world.

As Christians, Kingdom people the world watches what we do and say, how we live our lives.  Everything we do must line up.  (Matthew 5:16 (AMP) Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven).  We are disciples of the Word.  (Disciple: to be disciplined in our ways; to be imitators of what we are taught).  Disciples are imitators of their teacher and so we must disciple and imitate what Jesus did.  We must walk in line with the scriptures. We must have all our business in order.  We must go about our Fathers business in like manner as Jesus did. How do we deal with life and its challenges?  We must be seen to deal with life’s challenges with Christ and bring the Word to the world.

(Matthew 5:17 (AMP) “Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfil them”).  God the Father sent Jesus on earth not so as to do away with the Law but to fulfil them.  To do the Works of the Father so that we may know His grace and mercy.  He came so that we could learn from Him what is required of us to complete our mission.  It is by bringing to life the seed planted in us by God that we bear fruits, that we strengthen each other in the Way of the Lord.  We are called to our mission by not just the things we do in our private life but by being an example of God in our public life also.  God wants us to be examples of His grace which fulfils the Law

So what is our ultimate Mission?  It is to be walking, talking, breathing, living examples of the Father.  It is to be servants of the Lord - a servant administers to the needs of others and in turn is rewarded for his good work.  God administers to our needs and is rewarded by our good work

CREDIBILITY : The enemy is after your credibility

CREDIBILITY    :           The enemy is after your credibility

The Word of God cannot be changed.  It’s the same today, tomorrow and forever and it’s by His Word, our spiritual food, that we are able to change lives.  We are to live by the Word and be an example of the Word but if we are not credible our power to reach people through the Word is lost. The enemy wants to stop us from getting and spreading the Word. If he can mess up the credibility of the Word giver, he can dilute how it’s received and acted on. If non believers don’t hear and act on the Word they cannot benefit from it. (Romans 10:17 (NIV) Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ). The enemy, (satan) knows the Word of God and its strength.  He knows it brings light into darkness and strengthens the believer so he sets out to stop us from spreading the Word.

The world was in darkness but God spoke into the darkness and brought light to the world. The Word was God and God was the Word: (John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God). (Genesis 1:3 (NIV) And God said, “Let there be light”, and there was light).  (John 1:4-5 (NIV) In Him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it). Satan is the king of darkness and darkness is ignorance. Darkness keeps you from the Truth but the Truth, the Light; the Word – will set you free from the darkness.  Satan sets out to steal the Word seed and abort you from prosperity and your destiny.  He knows who you are and who you can be. He knows the impact you can have on the lives of others and the power you have in the spoken Word of God. He cannot steal the Word from you but he can destroy your credibility.  We must maintain our character integrity.  Protect this at all times from the wolf, the thief.  God has placed people in our paths to receive blessings from the Word and our credibility is the platform. Our ability to live by the Word and the message of the Word strengthens our credibility and gives power to our delivering the Good News of the Word. The enemy has placed people to trap us into backsliding and into a life of sin.  We all face struggles with our walk in the Word and maintaining our credibility in the Word but it is imperative that we continually feed ourselves with our spiritual food, the Word of God.  Upholding our credibility in the Word is to uphold the message of the Cross. 

Without my credibility I would not have been asked to the top table of Chigwell Business Group nor would I have been nominated for the British Franchise Award. My relationship with God is something which I continually give priority to in all aspects of my life.  Often times in my line of business I face challenges and decision making situations which could easily put me in a position of following the way and expectations of the world which in turn would damage my credibility when edifying others with God’s Word but I recognise the importance of maintaining my relationship with God and letting His Light guide me.  I endeavour to ensure that His work in me is seen and be an example to others.  It’s about being credible in every aspect of my life. I have and will continue to face attacks from the enemy but by strengthening myself with the Word, God continues to be the Light in my life and it is with this Light that I walk daily.  It’s this Light that enables me to not look to the left or the right but keep striving forward to be the best I can be, to maintain my credibility so that others can not only hear the Word through me but also see the Word manifest itself in me. My credibility affords me the privilege of being an example of God’s grace, mercy, favour and blessing to others. By living my life in the Word, for the Word, by the Word and with the Word I am able to win the fight against the enemy’s attempts to steal my credibility and dilute the message of God

God is the Light of the world and we are His children therefore His light shines through us. We are the living, walking, talking credibility of His Word and by living in His Word the enemy is powerless......maintain your credibility and be a true disciple of our Lord

Man: The Lion and the Lamb....A tender warrior

Man: The Lion and the Lamb....A tender warrior

As I child I was small and quiet, a child that did not even know how to cry. I was bullied at home physically and mentally which lead to low self esteem, which led to further bullying at school.  I finally accepted the message that the world gave me, a message which said I needed to be tough. Through my teenage years the tough aspect grew stronger. You see, I have never experienced or seen a tender man. My father is old school and never displayed tender love, just tough love. Consequently tenderness was never a learnt behavior for me.

My time on the inner city streets as a young gun soon taught me that tough was the only way to survive and people got hurt along the way as a matter of course. I justified this by telling myself it was every man for himself and that’s how I am supposed to be in order to be a man. That’s the reason we see young men killing each other, even children as young as 14 and 15. We see this heartbreaking news every week because the world programs us to accept it, to believe that in order to be men we need to destroy, that we need to be warriors all the time, but the devil is a liar.  God teaches us different….be a Lion and a Lamb. 

There is a time for everything. Ecclesiastics 3 tells us this. Jesus put the story straight for me. I’m a David character and a giant killer, a game changer and a warrior but coming to know Jesus softened me. He never changed my character, because he needs me to be a warrior for Christ, but he touched my heart and opened up a hidden tender side because he also needs me to be a humble inspiration.  To be humble is to be tender in our thoughts and ways.

Even Jesus had times when he was tough and other times when he was tender, as demonstrated in Luke 8:23-25; Luke 11: 37-42; John 2: 12-17; John 11:34; John 14:27: Matthew 19:13-15; Matthew 21:12, Revelation 19:15 and many such scriptural references.  We are made in His likeness to be tough and tender, to be lions and lambs, to be all things to all men.

In life we have to be tender warriors.  As men this means being so many different things but particularly as Christian men, men walking in the Word. It is essential to be all that we are called to be and we can only achieve this by letting God renew our minds.  We are not able to be all that we are called to be if we rely on our own strength, society will not allow that but when we rely on the strength of God and rest on His everlasting arm all things are possible.

Whether in relationships, business or church we have challenges.  We can’t please everyone so we must choose to please God.  We will have to make decisions which are tough.  Popular decisions are not always right and right decisions are not always popular.  It is important to sometimes be in the minority but decide for the majority.  Be able to decide to decide and not be double minded.  A double minded man is unsteady in all his decisions (James 1:8).  To make sound decisions we need to be tender and tough, they are both good qualities which are to be used to balance each other.

The four pillars of a man are: A friend: Jesus was a friend to everyone who came to him.  A warrior: Jesus knew how to fight the good fight against the enemy.  A protector: Jesus is our protector and will shield us from the enemy.  A provider: Jesus provides for all our needs; He is faithful even when we are not.  He is a tender warrior.

Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb. Have you ever seen a lamb sleeping in the bosom of a leopard?  As men we need to be the lion and the lamb too and demonstrate both qualities. Those who are closest to us need to feel safe in the knowledge that we are their protector yet be confident in our love. We are to love with the heart of a father but fight with the spirit of a warrior. To provide a safe haven in the midst of a war. This can only be done when you know who you are in Christ and also as a man. You will get the peace that surpasses all understanding, not that the world could give or take away (Philippians 4:7).

The Sheep Knows The Shepherd’s Voice : Who Is Your Shepherd? Which Road Are You On?

The Sheep Knows The Shepherd’s Voice :  

Who Is Your Shepherd? Which Road Are You On?

The Lord is our Shepherd He leads us into green pastures (Psalm 23)

God loves us all and has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11).  He goes out of his way to get us to where His plan for us lies and in the midst of that He gives us free will.

In my own life I have learned to recognize that God sends people and situations to direct our step. 

Sometimes He sends people to us who we least expect and in situations we could not fathom but it is important to hear and recognize His voice through those people and in those situations.  His Word says His sheep know His voice and they will answer to no other (John 10:27).  They will not go to a stranger (John 10:5).  I could be in a crowded shopping centre but if one of my children called out to me I would hear them over every other voice.  God hears our cries above everything else.  Once we know him we also learn to hear his voice in the middle of a storm, in the message from an unexpected source, in the most unusual places and circumstances.

I remember watching Sheep Dog Trial on TV many years ago and observing the shepherd being sent out amongst the sheep.  The aim of the trial was to get the sheep through a series of obstacles in a set period of time.  The sheep wanted to go their own way in their own time but the shepherd had a plan for them.  It was funny to see the dog (the shepherd’s aide) running around barking at the sheep but the dog had instructions too, he too was being directed by the sound of the whistle from the shepherd.  Even the dog had to listen and obey instructions, he recognized the “voice” of his master.

Sometimes God sends what we deem to be dogs into our lives in order to help us get through that narrow gate.  The Word says many will take the broad road which leads to hell, few will take the narrow road that leads to prosperity and everlasting life (Matthew 7:13-14). 
The sheep dogs in our lives are sent to encourage us and help direct us through the narrow gate but we won’t get there if we do not recognize and follow that voice and the instructions.

God does not send hired hands to guide us, He sends guardians appointed by Him.  In the case of the sheep and the shepherd the hired hand will run off if a wolf comes to kill the sheep (John 10:12).  We come across many wolves in our life, in relationships, in our workplaces and even in our own families.  The Lord is our true Shepherd and promised never to leave or forsake us and His promise is everlasting but in order to recognize the wolves when they come we must KNOW our shepherds voice above all else,

Who are the sheep dogs that’s been sent by the Lord into your life to help direct your steps to the narrow road?  Are you hearing your Shepherds voice and following instructions? Are you exercising free will and choosing the narrow or the broad road?

Your Route Is Planned

Your Route Is Planned

Our journey is not for us to decide.

God has already decided our journeys and it doesn't matter how far we go He will always bring us back to where He wants us to be.

When God decided to bring us into this world, it was because He had a purpose for us (Ephesians 2:1). Our journey was already planned. He already had our route mapped out and along the way we may struggle against following that path, we may stray even but He will always bring us back to where He wants us to be. No matter where we think we want to go or should go, it’s not up to us, God has a plan for us and His will will take us where He wants us to be.

If we chose to go where we want to then His grace will not be on that journey but His grace will find us on that journey.  He will never forsake us but He will not encourage us on our chosen journey, He will bring us back to His chosen journey for us. When we listen to and allow Him to lead us, He takes us to the purpose He has for us. His grace is on that road and it doesn’t matter how many times we fight against His will, He will always win because He is the Author and Finisher (Hebrews 12:2) and His will will be done in us

What Is Your Legacy

What Is Your Legacy

"What is your legacy....what will be left after you're gone?”

There are two kinds of legacy: material legacy and spiritual legacy. As people we are expected to leave a legacy, an inheritance for those following us; the next generation, so we work hard to obtain material wealth to hand down to the next generation, it's our legacy and their inheritance but God is not interested in our material legacy/inheritance. He's interested in our spiritual legacy, what we have passed on as an inheritance to those to come. 

Just as you accumulate material wealth and then look at what you've done with it, so does God look at what you've done with your spiritual wealth. A business owner will sit with his accountant who will provide proof of what he had, what he spent and what he's got left. The accountant continually keeps an eye on what you're doing. It's an account of what you've done. Is there a deficit or have you made a profit?

God’s Word is like your business and God (your accountant) at the end will inquire of you what did you do with the Word He gave to you? How did you use it? How did you spend it and did you make a profit or is there a deficit? (Matthew 25:14-30).  A business in its first year often makes no profit (loss), it's a period of lessons but you learn from that loss and you make adjustments to start making a profit. It's much the same as Gods Word. When you first come into the Word you make mistakes, there's often a deficit because it's a learning period, a struggle to maintain yourself in the Word and not give in to temptation. The struggle is your training but after the training you're equip to start putting into practice the lessons learnt and make a profit. You start to recognise the blessing in every situation and pass on those lessons and blessings. It's a process of feeding others Gods food - His Word - you teach others His ways by way of spreading His word. You become an example of His love and grace, you bring light into the lives of those in the dark.

You leave a legacy, an inheritance for those to come.

His Grace Is Not Performance Based

His Grace Is Not Performance Based

The Grace of God is not performance based.  His Grace is given freely and without being earned.  

God does not look to see what we are doing and then decide to give us His Grace.  We don’t have to “perform” for Him. We can’t earn our way to get what He has for us, He gives it to us because He can; because He loves us; because He wants to.  His Grace isn’t generated by our performance because even when we don’t feel His presence He is still watching us and providing for us; He is still carrying us {Footsteps In The Sand}. 

We don’t serve an emotional God, He is not moody, He feels us when you don’t feel Him, He cry’s and pleads on our behalf even when we can’t speak because when we can’t speak, when words fail us that’s when our spirit speaks and He reacts to our spirit.  Our mouth only confirms what our spirit feels.  

His Grace is not given based on what we’ve done, it is given in spite of what we’ve done.  He is our father.  As a parent we don’t supply for the needs of our children based on what they’ve done, we supply for their needs in spite of what they’ve done because we love them unconditionally....That’s how God loves us