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