Good morning. It is Monday but that is alright. I am excited. Can I share with you my excitement?

When I was in college, I met a young man on my job. Wait. A. Minute!

As I’m writing, now I think this was a setup, by the enemy! I didn’t have to work to get through college. I received an academic scholarship for my entire education plus additional grants. Now I am frustrated. 😡 ok- I digressed, back to the point. I met a young man while working as a customer service rep. He was no good for me but I could not see that.

He was a salesman and he was good at selling. He sold me naivety and I almost went bankrupt on my future investing in his mess. Ugh! I was so naive and gullible. Prior to engaging in this crap, I had ended a relationship that was a mess.

I share all of my messes in my first book: Who You Callin’ Silly? How a Silly Woman Becomes Virtuous.

I didn’t have much exposure to young men. I had “boyfriends” but they were mere cat and mouse games. I pretended but honey I could not stand the thought of the fullness of intimacy (I’m being g-rated here); but you have to understand my upbringing. I grew up in church. As I entered middle school and high school, I strayed away and explored the world (at least I thought); I knew I did not fit in. My mom, still married to my dad, but separated when I was 4 years old (and remained separated) instilled in me the importance of being confident, having an education, and providing for myself – beyond chasing a boy. She always said that there would be time for that. So I gravitated towards sports, music and education. I graduated high school at age 16. When I started the university I attended, I was 17. Now I’m staring at the faces of these young ladies who look as if they can show me all the tricks of the trade, but I was still pretending.

Ok- I digressed again. My mom could see right through this dude’s plans. All the lies. I was on a mission to prove her wrong about him. I had one more year remaining in college and I just knew that a total eclipse was going to occur: all the stars, moon, and sun were aligning and I would be planning a wedding and a graduation. My mom and I even got into a heated discussion and I had the audacity to throw in her face her choice of men- and I lived to tell the story. 😳😱 wheeww! By this time, I was 19. My mom allowed me to go through the experience, but she remained in hot pursuit. This ship (I refuse to call relational) lasted for 3 years. She would not allow me to unravel. She pursued and she persevered for my well being. Of course, she was right. It was one of the worse experiences I had gone through but it was necessary.

Persevere means to continue in pursuit of someone or something, even when it is difficult. God demonstrated the epitome of perseverance and continues to do so.

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God completes what He begins. He started the good work in you when he made you to be like him. Just like me, you strayed away, but God remained in hot pursuit through Jesus. He covered you. He protected you during your times of worldly exploration. He loved you when you were reckless with life and He has determined, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that He is going to finish what He started.

Whewww! Talk about the greatest implementation plan??? The most prolific strategist of all times is your Father.

If we desire to live godly lives in Christ, it is a fact that we will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), but the faithful will persevere, kept by the power of the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our salvation. He will complete what He started in and through YOU!

In my readings last night, I came across the subject of Adam and Eve. God gave precise instructions to Adam, not to eat the fruit from a specified tree, in the midst of the Garden of Eden. Eating the fruit from this tree would give a person the knowledge about good AND evil. 

“And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

First of all, that in and of itself ALONE is amazing. A tree that produces fruit AND gives insight to the eater? Really? And a tree that can give me life? 

Secondly, what was so intriguing about the tree with the knowledge versus the tree with life? In the same verse above, it says that every tree God had planted in the garden was pleasant to the sight and good for food – so…it could not have stood out any more than the others, could it?

Adam, you mean to tell me you preferred to know good and evil over having life? I mean I know you didn’t eat first, Eve did, but surely you gave her a tour of the neighborhood, right? 

I’m referencing Adam because He was given the initial command and shudda been like: “Eve, get some business. God said no and that’s it.” Come on Adam- be a protector. Show your dominion status, geez! 🙄

Maybe Adam felt that he understood what it meant to have “life” and that he already had life. After all, he was living. God did give him the chance to name all of the animals and have dominion. Adam was there when God put him to sleep, only to be awaken by the sight of a beautiful woman who would become his wife. So the creation of life maybe wasn’t a big deal to him. Maybe they were a product of their environment- which simply means the environment you grew up in, influences your decision. 

Maybe Adam didn’t know what type of life the tree of life could produce. Well, Adam sir…maybe because you had not been exposed to death, you didn’t understand the significance behind life. 👀👀

Honey….let me find a life giving tree and especially now having loss my mom? Me and my family would become “lifegans”-  life-tree-eating vegans.  

Was Adam and Eve’s sin really about eating a piece of forbidden fruit? The significance or point in the passage is not the fruit itself, but the command against eating it. God gave Adam and Eve only one barring in His instructions. He could have altogether not allowed them to eat the fruit, but since He made them in His image, they had the power of choice. 

The issue was not the fruit, but the sin was in their disobedience. By eating the fruit (the act of sin), Adam and Eve gained personal knowledge of evil. They now had the contrasting experience of the evil of disobedience and the guilt and shame that sin brings with it.

Satan deceived them. He told them that eating the fruit would make them like gods. When in actuality, they were already made in the image of God, and therefore were like gods. 😱

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

And so it is today. It is our ability to choose that gets us in trouble. The enemy- even if it is of our own mind, sends an illusion that something we know that could be detrimental to our lives, our relationships, and our health, is actually good. It is enticing. It lures us. It makes our hearts pound faster, our mind races and pretty soon, we are giving in to our fleshly desires. Once the act is committed, just as Eve, our eyes come open to the knowledge of the evil act we have committed and the consequences of our actions follow. 

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:13-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

What is the point? When God says NO to something, we better start taking heed; it is for our own good. Disobeying Him, going our own way, or deciding for ourselves what is and is not good, implies that we are “god,” we are in control, and we do not need the Almighty’s help. Let us consider our ways. Our Father desires for us to experience an abundant life both now and forever; but the choice is ours. We have a list of forbidden fruits that everyone seems to be enjoying, but the end of it is destruction. 

“The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, since they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that. I warn you as I have already warned you, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:19-21‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Your abundant life is contingent upon the choices you make, which all center around the obedience or disobedience of God’s principles. Choose this day!

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

What are you fighting for? Is it worth it? What are you expecting to gain?

I have come to realize that there will be many life struggles. To date, death has them pretty much beaten; to lose a loved-one, for me a mother…? Her departure has had more affects on me than losing my child. It was sudden and abrupt. It was unexpected and unplanned. I often find myself saying: “I cannot believe my momma is gone! The life that brought forth my life, is now lifeless.”

My fight has been to survive and only through God’s comforting grace, family and friends, have I been able to push through the pain. This has been my life’s fight. I have come to realize that the push through this pain was necessary to align my purpose.

I have also learned that having someone to help you get through those trying times makes it a little easier to handle.

What is your fight? Are you fighting to reconnect family ties? Are you fighting to overcome a health problem? Are you fighting to reignite the passion in your marriage? Are you fighting to gain the attention of another? Are you fighting for your integrity? Are you fighting to live? Are you fighting to keep your flesh under subjection? If you are fighting with no idea of who your component is, you’re entering the battle unprepared and unequipped. 

If you have the Holy Spirit, why are you so quick to claim defeat? What did you do before Jesus entered your life? Didn’t you fight?

Whatever happened to Him being greater in you than what’s in the world? And when will we begin to believe and operate in this?

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”1 John 4:4 NLT‬

Whatever is the source of your fight, make sure it is worth the effort. Consider a boxer and the training he has to do. Not only does it affect him personally, but everyone or anything connected to him. The pressing, the stretching, the stressing, the preparation, the mental, the sacrifices associated with eating and physical training- it all leads up to one evening, 12 rounds, and a decision that is contingent upon his or her training.

We are all in a fight. There is a spiritual warfare that is happening before our very eyes, but we are so caught up in what is in our direct line of sight, that we are unable to comprehend the broader scope of the fight.

Let me be the first to admit, that when I hear of horrible situations or when I am the main character of the story, and my storm is all around me, immediately my heart races and my initial reaction is almost always: “oh Lord, help.”

But then I have to recall to my mind that He has already sent help. The enemy is declaring war. He has nations fighting against one another. For what? Races are fighting against one another. For what? Then we fight amongst ourselves…FOR WHAT?

The enemy has a designated date to enter the ring with you. He desires a 12-round bout, just you and him. What are you doing to prepare? Stop looking at the warfare and look at the weapon? What are you doing to learn your weapon?

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,” II Corinthians‬ ‭10:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Jesus fought for you! Not only did he fight, He won. He desires for us to share in His victory.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:55, 57‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus determined that we were worth fighting for. The value of the fight was our life. Oh My God! That is so powerful. So humbling, so awe-inspiring…so unbelievable. I ask you on today to remain in the fight. You’re not alone. You have more fighting with you than against you.

“And Elisha prayed, and said, “ LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” II Kings‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Fight…
Finish…
Remain faithful!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Before you are physically seen, thoughts of you fill the heart with joy. What will you look like? Whose mannerisms and features will you have the most? The emotion moves from excitement to amazement. Your feet and hands inwardly, pressing outwardly on the skin of your mother, proving that you are there. Your mother’s outer begins to expand because you are growing. Preparation is being made for your arrival. Actually, preparation had already been made through sleeping patterns, food choices, and emotions demonstrated by your mother, over the course of 9 months. She begins to build your behavioral patterns while you are still in the womb.

The time has arrived. To gaze into your eyes- to see what has been developing for 9 months, having no idea what physical traits you possess. Do you have one arm or two? What color are your eyes? What texture of hair you’ll have? If that’s not faith, I’m not sure what faith is.

Through your infant stages of life, you are solely reliant upon your parents. There is nothing you can do independently. As you grow, they teach you things that are necessary for survival and mobility- walking. Talking. The ability to choose. There is nothing they will not do for you. Even as you grow through stages of life: toddler, youth, adolescent, and adulthood, when you call them because you ran out of gas, they come running to ensure your safety. When you call because you got into some trouble, going contrary to what they taught you, after they may reprimand you (you even considered not calling. Why? You didn’t want to hear them mouthing off) they were grateful that you were safe and unharmed. They were there for your first disappointment. They were there for your first reward. They were there for your first heartbreak. They were there for your first school dance. They were there for your first educational degree.

But before they were there, I Am!

• Before you knew what a parent was, I am your Father.
• Before you were a twinkle in their eye, you were the apple of mine.

I am your Father. Do you think I do not care because you cannot behold me with the eyes I have given you for this earthly realm?

• I gave them the job to provide for you.
• I sent the approval for them to move in the house to provide shelter for you.

In case you do not know what a good Father is…

1. A good father makes all the difference in a child’s life. He’s a pillar of strength, support and discipline. His work is endless and, oftentimes, thankless. But in the end, he is seeking to raise well-adjusted children.
2. A good father loves his children, but he doesn’t let them get away with murder. He strongly disapproves of his children’s misdeeds, using tough love to prove a point. He does this through the power of his words.
3. A good father makes it clear that repeated irresponsibility won’t be tolerated.
4. A good father never lets his children take what they have for granted. From the food on the table to the good education.
5. A good father will make his children see the value in everything they have. He doesn’t let his children treat him like an ATM.
6. A good father also illustrates the importance of affection by professing and demonstrating his love.
7. A good father knows that he must sacrifice his own comfort, which is why I sent you me in the flesh and He sacrificed himself for you (Jesus).

My child, now you know what a great Father does, because I have given you the example of what a great Father is.

Just thought I would share some of my thoughts I had while driving down the street during my me time on yesterday.

Oh Father- we thank you on today. You are the epitome of a Father. I praise you because of who you are. Thank you for being a loving Father.

Yours truly,

Your grateful daughter.

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Oh what joy does the salvation of Jesus bring to our lives. Salvation is simply the deliverance from the power of sin. Have you ever felt so far gone? At one point in your life, or maybe even now, you had the thought that with all the pain you have caused or the build up of anger and resentment, no one could help you? Let me briefly introduce you to David. David was a prime example of success and failure. His faith was tested numerous times and many times he failed, but yet he was described as being a man after God’s heart.

“And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’”‭‭Acts‬ ‭13:22‬ ‭NKJV‬

How? What does that mean and how could David be a man after the heart of God, with all the charges of guilt and shame that stood right before his face? The verse above actually answers the question/ David had a deep desire to follow God’s will and do “everything” God wanted him to do, and he did. Just as some of us who transition from sin to a believer in Jesus, David fell hard. His one costly mistake is one that we hear about often, which led him to adultery, lying, and murder. This was his encounter with Bethsheba. After this encounter,  God sent his servant Nathan, to tell David about his wickedness. David did what most of us have a problem doing: David admitted that he was wrong. And not just that He had sinned, but that he sinned against God. Oftentimes we would rather save face, reputation and position, in front of people than fall to the ground, sincerely repent and have our soul to be reconciled with our Savior.

David did not wallow in his sin. He immediately prayed to God and this prayer and communication is recorded in Psalms 51. Specifically in verse 12, David recognized that he had lost the joy that the Salvation of God brings.

Sin robs us of the gladness received through God’s salvation. Joy is the key to our victory over sin.

What happened to the joy- the simple, basic, unconditional joy you once had when you first fell into the arms of Jesus after receiving salvation? 

Go back. 🏃🏽🏃🏽🏃🏽🏃🏽

Trace where you lost the joy and find it.

• That joy keeps you humble.
• That joy keeps you faithful.
• That joy keeps you respectful.
• That joy keeps you mindful of where the Lord brought you from.
• That joy allows you to understand the power and might of God and His ability to keep us from falling and losing our joy.

Where is your joy?

God offers forgiveness and cleaning for all sin, through His Son, Jesus. Do not attempt to cover it; but rather confess and turn away from it.

The pain of revealing past mistakes is not worth the shame and anxiety of waiting for your sin to find you out.

“But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers‬ ‭32:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you ever heard someone say that the Lord speaks to us by His word, but we have to remove the words from the pages of the Bible and make them real? Today, I will demonstrate how we would actually do this. Check out this dialogue. Some references are general for a daughter or son, referenced as “the child,” while others are specific to a son or daughter.

The child: Hey dad, how are you?
Our Father: The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. (Psalms 145:8-9)

The child: Can I talk to you about a few things?
Our Father: Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

The child: I’ve been really going through.
Our Father: Give all your worries and cares to me, for I care about you. (1 Peter 5:7)

The child: Nothing seems to be going right.
Our Father: My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. (2 cor. 12:9-10)

The child: I thought when I really started to listen to you and began to be obedient, things would get easier. But it seems like they are worse.
Our Father: 1 Peter 5:8-9 (CEB) Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. Do so in the knowledge that your fellow believers are enduring the same suffering throughout the world.

The child: Sometimes I feel so alone
Our Father: Come close to God, and God will come close to you. (James 4:8)

The child: I’ve been hurt sooo bad!
Our Father: I keep track of all your sorrows. I have collected all your tears in my bottle. I have recorded each one in my book. Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

The child: if you love me so much why do I have to go through so much?
Our Father: 1 Peter 2:21-24 (NLT) For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

The daughter: Sometimes I can’t help but to think about how they really hurt me and took advantage of me. Do you not know that a person I used to call a friend gossiped about me? I’m so hurt by her and what she did
Our Father: Proverbs 25:23 (NLT) As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! Luke 6:27-28 (NLT) “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

The Daughter: And then…listen to this. The man that’s supposed to be my dad here on this earth…I am HIS seed. He has NOTHING to do with me and I have NO idea why. In fact, well you know this, I am his first born. We live right here in the same monkey city. He missing out on beautiful grands. He really SUCKS!
Our Father: Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.

The daughter: I’m just scared; I don’t know what to do.
Our Father: Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

The son: I don’t really know how all this works.
Our Father: Psalm 37:5 (NLT) Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you

The daughter: I hear people say you talk to them. Can you PLEASE talk to me?
Our Father: Job 33:14-17 (NLT) For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride

The son: I believe you are real, but man, I think I’ll go back to doing the things you say I shouldn’t
Our Father: Galatians 4:8-9 Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. 9 So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?

The child: it seems so hard to please you and to talk to you.
Our Father: Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The daughter: I know I am your daughter. I know I am.
Our Father: Yes…you are! Psalm 139:13 (NLT) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb

The daughter: Here’s another thing: I really wanted to be with my baby’s dad. He said he was going to marry me but he hurt me sooo much and I stay and deal with it. I know it’s not love or what supposed to be like. I know this. But Why did I have to be the one to get hurt?
Our Father: James 1:14-15 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

The child: Do you hear me? Why does it seem you don’t hear me?
Our Father: (Isaiah 59:1-2) Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

The child: I been learning – You’re my Father and you sent Jesus to help me get back to you because we upset you really bad back in the day, but how will I know what you want from me?
Our Father: Luke 10:27 (NLT) You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself

The child: I hear people talking about purpose. After all I’ve been through you MUST have something for me to do. How do I know my purpose?
Our Father: Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

The child: It’s crazy out here! People dying for nothing. People killing and robbing. Folks sitting in their car and being killed. Why won’t you stop this?
Our Father: Psalm 37 Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

The child: I’ll never disrespect you. SO forgive me if I’m coming off all wrong.
Our Father: Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few

The child: Seriously, I do appreciate you looking out for me.
Our Father: Isaiah 49:15 (NKJV) “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you

The child: I could have died but I know you were there.
Our Father: Psalm 91:4 (NLT) He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection

The child: I just wanna know that you are really here with me.
Our Father: John 14:15-18 (NLT) If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you

Conclusion
We will never know God and learn what His expectations are of us, if we do not communicate with Him. Our relationship is established through the words that He has already spoken. We can find comfort in Him through the words spoken and given to us in the Bible. They will never change and they apply to any and every situation we have and will encounter in this life. Our Father desires to speak with us. Are we willing and ready to listen?

Our Father desires to talk to us and for us to know and experience what true love really is. He is waiting with open arms.

 

Have you ever been driving on the freeway and noticed something lying in the road? From a distance, it looks pretty big; however, as you approach the object, you realize it is small enough to maneuver your vehicle and go around.  

Have you ever been in a situation where you had NO idea how you would get out? Then, when the Lord brings you out and you reflect back over the situation, realizing that the issue was not as big as you thought.

The enemy creates an illusion. The Bible says this:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

Make sure you pay attention to the word of God. God says the devil…AS a roaring lion, seeks whom he can destroy. 

HE IS NOT a roaring lion! He roars LIKE a lion.

A lion is the king of the jungle. Lions are symbols of strength and courage. They are also common symbols for royalty and fierceness. The enemy is not a lion. Please explain how the enemy can be the Lion when God says that Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah?

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. Revelation 5:5 (KJV)

• Jesus is fierce – nothing to be played with. 
• Jesus demonstrates strength and courage.
•  Jesus IS royalty. He came from off His throne to save us. 

Jesus is the true lion. The enemy is always trying to take something that does not belong to him. That is why he was kicked out of Heaven- trying to make himself a god (Isaiah 14:12-14)

On the other hand, a cat desires attention but only when it wants it. They want, what they want on their terms. We have to stop giving this cat, which is the enemy, lion privileges. The enemy is not a roaring lion but he sends an illusion that he is. He has to ask for permission. He is not in control. 

“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.” Luke‬ ‭22:31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Remember who is in control. We honestly have more control than we think we do. We give the enemy permission to control our lives by giving in to our fleshly desires. 

Let us pray. 

Oh Jesus, we have no idea what challenges life will bring us. What we do know is that you are with us. Our strategy to defeat the enemy is to walk with you, talk with you and have an undeniable relationship with you. Lord we thank you for being our Father and we your children. We also recognize that the enemy comes into our lives, roaring like a lion; but we declare on today that he will flee like the conniving and mischievous cat that he is. 

Thank you Jesus for all that you have done and continue to do. We are humbled that you would allow us to approach your throne of grace with our petitions. I humbly ask that you accept this prayer, in your name Jesus, amen.

It’s time to stop creating obstacles and giving the enemy place to make the obstacles difficult to overcome. 

On Monday, we talked about confessing and believing. Today, we dig deeper into the fact that belief carries an action.

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm‬ ‭40:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Psalms 40:1 states I waited patiently. It’s amazing that these words are used together in this scripture.

To wait means to NOT do a thing until something else happens.

To be patient means the ability to remain calm without becoming annoyed.

In other words, Jesus, I have this situation staring back at me like I’m stupid. My personal desire is to resolve it my way but I will remain calm and I’m not doing NOTHING until you do something. 

This brings to light another scripture:

“The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How amazing is it to see the Lord use His miraculous power to confuse the enemies in our lives.

Think about this as well: Just because you decide to wait, does not imply that you are patient. If you are ranting, nagging and crying about the situation, that is not an example of patience but rather impatience. 

Remember to be patient means to remain calm.

Waiting does however imply that you are faithful to God. You recognize that you are stuck. While the illusion of another option may be presented, when we come to the realization that there is not another option, we will refrain ourselves from taking matters into our own hands- seeking another source for help.

Truth be told, Jesus is THE source. He is the root. He is the original. He is the beginning. When we look for other outlets and avenues we are not seeking the source. We are seeking resources which are things we can use. A source is a place from where something originates. A resource is something that can be used. A resource can dry up, end, or conclude. The source is the beginning of it all. It never runs out of resources. We must learn to wait for the source to supply the resource. If we are calm while He is perfecting everything concerning us, we will see the results of our belief come into fruition.

“Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation.”Psalms‬ ‭62:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Waiting proves that you believe. The action of your belief is that you waited on the Lord.

Belief (faith) carries and action. Faith without proof that you have it means NOTHING (dead alone).

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

My soul. Wait only on the Lord. He alone is your source.

Today, we will begin the week with a simple verse that we have heard often, when we are inviting someone to share in the forgiveness of sins and to begin a new life with Jesus Christ.

Have you ever thought or wondered why living saved or being saved works for some but not others? How can that be when God says He loves the world and anyone who believes in His Son, would be saved? So why is it so challenging for some and others it seems so easy?

The other day a thought crossed my mind and a light bulb came on. The word of God says this:

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

This scripture is often repeated or referenced when we are introducing people to Jesus Christ. Here is what happens…

WE REPEAT the scripture.

We are either asked to repeat this verse along with the minister or it is verbalized to us. The bible says confess AND believe. Confession is admitting that we have done something wrong. The word of God has an amazing ability to allow us to see our faults and how we have fallen short of God’s grace, but in such a loving way. We understand confessing with our mouths; that portion is relatively simple because the word of God lays our folly before our eyes in such a way that it draws us to the altar. Here is where the shift begins.

After we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus…AND believe…

The word “and” is used to join words together. After we confess AND believe, then we will be saved.

Confess AND believe! Believe what? Believe the words that you received, from your heart. Believe that Jesus is who He says that He is. If you do not believe, you cannot be saved, and that is the difference! The principles of God stand on belief (or faith), otherwise, we cannot please Him.

…for whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 (NKJV)

The difference between receiving salvation is the belief that you have received a new life in Christ. Belief carries an action. Let me show you.

• You believe that if you perform a specific task, 5 days a week (on average), 8 hours a day, you will be compensated either weekly or every two weeks. We call this a job.
• If your child demonstrates a natural ability or gift in sports or academics, the proof of your belief is the action you take to get him or her involved in additional activities to grow that gift, such as a summer camp, mentoring or lessons.

That is the separation. We confess and do not believe. We see our faults and issues but we take little to no action to support our newly found belief. Jesus says it this way:

These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Matthew 15:8 (NKJV)

Once we confess and believe, then there are some actions that will follow:

1. We want no parts of our old live and habits because we know the fruit it produces, so we separate ourselves (2 Corinthians 6:17).
2. We have a strong desire to learn more about Jesus so we purchase a bible and study (Matthew 11:29).

Just like the example of cultivating your child’s gift, we must cultivate and grow our relationship with Jesus. We want to associate with people who can help us grow, learn and cultivate our spiritual life in Christ these are examples of our belief system.

Don’t just confess. Confession is only admitting what you have done; now you must prove that you believe Jesus can change you.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)