by mondayslife | Nov 14, 2016 | America, God Great, Mondays Life, Praying, Religion, Wait on God, Yes
America has been in an emotional transition for a few weeks. From watching the on-the-edge election campaign to dealing with the string of murders that not only affect the black community but mankind. What is the need for America at this point? The Last thing we need is a new president. The last thing we need are protests and marches. Not to minimize the importance of them. We are dealing with severe injustice in the world. But we as Christians must remain spiritual in the midst of natural disasters and chaos.
This is an opportune time for churches to stand up. It is easy to point fingers and shoot blame from one group to another and to keep that cycle going, but we must stand back and see what is working in the background of the current affairs in the world. The problem is that many churches are not trained to see the spiritual but to solely focus on the natural. It is difficult not to stay focus on the natural because we are being bombarded with media and it causes our emotions to rise. There is a spirit behind what is causing fear in the hearts of man. There is a spirit behind what is causing protesting and civil unrest. We cannot walk around in fear for our loved ones, or do not want to continue life ourselves. Psalm 112:63 says that the righteous will never be shaken. This is the time for our spirit man to kick in and ask the question, “Lord, what’s going on in the realm of the spirit?”
The solution is to pray. It may sound evasive and so simple but it is about what you are praying. If God has given you a heart to pray for the nation, God will show you what it is you need to pray for. In Acts 17:26 says that, “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” The times that God appointed are in motion and we must tune in to what God is saying doing. Even though it may seem chaotic in the land, remember God’s word in Isaiah 46:9-10 that says, “Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.”
How can we make God even greater? By coming together and fighting the spiritual warfare, not the physical. Ephesians 6:12 says that, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” You cannot pick and choose when will you be in the natural or in the spiritual. The spirit realm is the causal realm and it is more real than the natural. We must live a daily life with our mindset in the spirit realm and constantly praying the things that the Lord is trying to show us. Revelation 3:22 says that, “‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” We are the church and we are the called out ones. God is speaking loud and clear. The question is who is posturing themselves to hear to make great the works of the Lord? Whatever we go up in the spirit to bind, it will bind here on earth. Whatever we go up in the spirit to loose, it will be loose. This is a call to the church to get into our rightful positions and be the watchmen, the leaders, the true prophets God has called us to be. Once we do what it is God wants for us to do by making his name great, then God will make our name great. 2 Samuel 7:9 says that, “I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.”
by mondayslife | Nov 7, 2016 | Mondays Life, Praying, Religion, Transition, Wait on God
For the past few months my new church has been in a season of transition. From new jobs to new homes, the church has been blessed. We have been exposed to great new relationships and been confronted with the truth of others in the midst of lies. There are those who experienced job loss and home loss as well. Many have experience the good side of transition and there are those who had been dealt a bad hand to play the best way they could but God never left their side. We also see those who refuse to transition and stay in the current situation they are in.
I experienced a taste of both sides. I received a promotion at my job that gave me $4,000 more a year. Two months later, I had to quickly move out of my apartment and into my mom’s house. The owner sold the building and did not tell the tenants that it would be converted for a place for the MRDD. We were supposed to be given 60 days but the previous owner refused to break the news and put the new owners in a bad position to tell us now we only have 30 days. So I quickly moved out of my house and moved everything in storage within 3 days from hearing the bad news. I had no idea what to do.
It moved me WAY out of my comfort zone. I am a person who lives alone and do not mind it. Perfect rent. Perfect place. Before given the bad news, literally my prayer was, “Lord, I have everything I need and I thank you for it. I do not ask for much so I am grateful for what I have. It may not be the best, but it fulfills my needs.” Then the doorbell rang. After receiving the news, I wanted to cry and scream but I remember the season the church is in that I currently attend: The season of transition. God is always moving and transforming us to look more and more like Him. When you are in a comfortable position, prepare to be moved to the uncomfortable. Just know that it is God’s Will.
How do you conduct yourself in the season of transition? What prayers are you supposed to pray? I am a very private person so for me to even write this is a huge step! One thing that I am learning in the midst of my transition is to wait and hear from the Lord. I have so many people in my ear telling me what I should do. Waiting in (not just on) God can seem like the longest wait but even in the longest wait has its meaning and purpose. He redeems time and restores the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). You can have confidence that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28, NIV). Not one minute of your journey is a waste of time. See it instead as a priceless opportunity for learning and growth.
My prayers never changed because God remains to be faithful and good. A mind at rest stays at rest until an external greater force moves it. Transition requires the mind to shift from one paradigm (a way of thinking) to another. I had to see God in the midst of storm. I could not focus on the storm but what comes after the storm. Ecclesiastes 7:8 says that, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.” Even though the end of a thing cannot be made out at the moment, you got to keep your mind on the higher because God will always exceed our expectations (Eph. 3:20).
If transition is where many of us are in this hour, then humility will be the path to peace. If we act out of a humble heart we will show to ourselves and to God that we are the people He wants us to be. Don’t speak against transition but embrace it. Remember that God is always with you. Sometimes you may not be able to feel Him, but He is there standing by. Never try to figure it out on your own. God has the ultimate plan and answer during your season to transition. During the season of transition God, will mature you, grow you up, heighten your senses and allow you to be more aware of God in your life. Just remember to mediate and stand on His promises.
