In Pursuit of Happiness - Part Eight | 08.20.12

Happiness is found in allowing GOD to be LORD of all in our lives.  When GOD is given permission to rule, it is then that He is indeed seen as LORD.  Webster's Dictionary primarily defines the verb "rule" as "to exert control, direction, or influence on."  Most times, we tend to consider "ruling" to ONLY be controlling; however, let's broaden our perspective and embrace a more comprehensive approach.  I believe the dictionary is on to something here worth exploring, so let's dig into this a bit further.

In evaluating this definition of "rule," we see three distinct forms of a single action.  Since GOD created mankind as being free will moral agents, it is not my belief that GOD controls us nor does He desire to do so.  However, I do believe that GOD CONTROLS the elements of our environment because He established the physical systems by which life on Earth operates.  Additionally, I believe that GOD DIRECTS our paths because the situations and circumstances we face are only those He allows.  Since everything about us was predestined before the foundations of the world, never do we face anything that is not purposed to move us closer to the will of GOD being fulfilled in our lives.  Lastly, because we are free will agents and must choose the way(s) we take, GOD INFLUENCES us to leverage the measure of faith He's already given us (according to Romans 12:3) to believe and take corresponding action.  GOD wants to reason with us.  It's His desire to influence our decision-making, not to force or buy our compliance with His will.  Our choosing to obey GOD must be a decision of the heart, not one of self-preservation.  Otherwise, the authenticity of our choice to fellowship with GOD is lost.

Destiny, Servant of Purpose | 08.13.12

I recently came to a new realization on a familiar topic: destiny is for you, purpose is for others.  Sometimes destiny is easier to see and understand than purpose, and that's okay.  We all have dreams and visions of where the gifts GOD has given will take us, as we submit them as well as ourselves to His lordship.  These snapshots of our future generate overwhelming excitement, and we love to rejoice over the greatness to come.  But know that your destiny is servant to purpose because  it's your purpose--not your destiny--that will impact the lives of people and become the legacy you leave behind.  Destiny is merely the vehicle by which purpose is fulfilled.

I'm reminded of a teaching delivered by Elder Lisa V. Wiley some years ago on her favorite Bible personality, a young man by the name of Joseph.  I won't attempt to recount the extraordinary story of his life, but I encourage you to read it for yourself in the Book of Genesis.  However, I would like to offer this one tidbit to you of which Elder Wiley made me aware: Joseph was indeed destined for the greatness of the throne, but what he envisioned was not his purpose.  Joseph's purpose for being was to bring his father Jacob's family (of less than 100 people) to Egypt, so they could become a mighty nation (that numbered well over 1 million when they left Egypt).  Joseph was given life to prepare the way for GOD's government to be established in the Earth through a nation of people.  If Israel had never become a nation, then GOD's promise to make Abraham the father of many nations--among other GOD-promises--would not have been fulfilled.

In Pursuit of Happiness - Part Seven | 08.10.12

Considering all that's been said til now, let me ask you this...  Do you REALLY want to be blessed? Do you REALLY want to live free of the bondage of sin?  Do you, for the first time in your life, REALLY want to be happy?  Then let me tell you something...  You can't name it and claim it, neither can you blab it and grab it.  You can't turn around three times or just praise your way into it.  You can't even give your way into it because this right here is the result of something much greater: you need to BE TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind.

It takes cutting off your ties to the world system and immersing yourself in the culture of Heaven to experience a life-altering metamorphosis of being.  It requires fasting and spending time in prayer to hear the voice of GOD and clearly discern the spiritual activity happening all around you.  You need to eat the Word of GOD daily and make it a top priority to understand and apply what you're reading, if you plan on walking in the wisdom it declares.  And you need to be filled with the Holy Ghost to walk in the power and demonstration of Heaven's influence over the Earth realm.

The Confidence We Have | 08.08.12

This past Saturday, the following Facebook status I posted seemed to garner a good bit of attention:

"Elton Taylor believes the very best thing to do whenever you feel overwhelmed is to ASCEND IN WORSHIP. Worrying solves nothing. Emotional reactions change nothing. They only make YOU worse off... But when you elevate your mind above the circumstances and begin to magnify the LORD your GOD, something happens... YOU change! Your perspective, your response, your attitude ALL change because NOW you're looking at those same circumstances from a totally different angle than before. You being able to get past how you feel and call for an uprising of GOD's glory without musicians, a worship team or pastor is what keeps you together AWAY FROM THE PHYSICAL SANCTUARY. #TrustMe #YourSanityDependsOnIt"

What I didn't share on Facebook was that I was speaking from my own experience of what was going on that very day.  I began to feel overwhelmed by things happening around me, and it became more evident as my mind began to race with thoughts of "What if?," "How will I?" and the such.  The hovering presence of worry was attempting to set in, and then I remembered something: "I don't have to feel this way!"  I can't tell you how many times I've said, "The joy of the LORD is my strength," "In His presence there is fullness of joy," and "Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the LORD delivers them out of them all."  BUT THIS TIME, I had to do more than just SAY it...  I had to BECOME it.  Those words had to COME to BE...IN ME.

In Pursuit of Happiness - Part Six | 08.04.12

Happiness has so much to do with belief.  To believe simply means to accept as both real and true.  Therefore, we must be mindful that meditating on ANY thought long enough will eventually make it believable.  And in a matter of time, the beliefs we espouse will cause a corresponding pattern of behavior to emerge.  Moreover, if practiced for a substantial period, the behavioral patterns we exhibit will become our own culturally accepted norms; and that which is deemed to be normal within our culture creates an identity to which we ascribe.  And just to think, this identity all started with a mere thought.

SO CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!  Guard your eyes and ears, beloved, from influences whose ideas promise happiness but contradict the Kingdom of GOD.  The media is merely a tool to QUICKLY spread ideas, many of which are held by a minority, to the masses through a program of INCESSANT repetition.  It doesn't take much these days for just one corrupt seed planted in a person's mind to take root and cause a change of mind.  Christians who are not firmly grounded in the beliefs of the faith WILL be targeted and led astray in these last days.  The Bible guarantees this, so think it not strange when you see it happen to people you know!

In Pursuit of Happiness - Part Five | 08.02.12

In choosing to rebel and pursue our own happiness, we face the resistance of GOD as we attempt to satisfy by our own means the cravings of our flesh.  Please understand that this resistance isn't so much GOD going out of His way to thwart our efforts Himself.  It's actually more sophisticated than that.  We essentially come head-to-head with the unseen systems established in eternity before the foundations of the world that govern the environment with which we interact through our five senses.  

Everything GOD created is subject to its respective systems of operation.  These systems govern the cause and effect relationships of all our interactions with the created world.  Therefore, prideful people find themselves perpetually stuck between a rock and a hard place because they're fighting a never-ending battle against a grace-less opponent.  And one can't help but be unhappy living that kind of life.

When we are deceived into believing that which GOD has forbidden makes us happy and determine to pursue it anyway, then arises a spirit of arrogance that blinds us to the impending consequences of our actions.  The high we experience in our perceived happiness is so euphoric that it blinds us to the harsh reality that ultimately lies ahead.  We become so arrogant that we feel invincible; and the grip of pride is so firm that we even dismiss the smaller, less catostrophic consequences of our choices because they aren't painful enough.  Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before the fall.  When you're blinded by pride, you can't see the destruction to come; and when a haughty spirit has you high, falling is the last thing on your mind.

Read the next installment (In Pursuit of Happiness - Part Six).