The Purpose for the Present Pain

The seasons of brokenheartedness we experience, as worshippers, come to break our will power of the stubbornness that has led us astray from the heart of Yahweh. By disregarding Father's wishes to instead do that which we have deemed to be right in our own eyes, we ultimately set ourselves up to experience the sort of painful spiritual reckoning that is meant to crush the soul as well as the ego. 

As spirit beings having a human experience, we must undergo a maturing process that makes it unmistakably clear to us when even our best intentions conflict with Heaven's agenda. Consequently, the only way Father can most effectively get our attention is by ALLOWING us to presently experience the pain of our humanity contending with the plans He both ordained and set in motion before the foundation of the world. 

Pain creates brokenness. And yes, there are times in our life journeys when it takes us experiencing brokenness to produce our willingness to embrace the culture of righteousness. In other words, sometimes our way has got to hurt more than we ever thought it would in order for us to see why Yahweh never wanted us to go that route. But it is often through brokenness that we are steered back into the right direction.

Demand More From Life

There is so much more to life than merely existing or surviving.  It was never GOD's intention for our lives to be stuck on repeat, literally spending our days purposelessly navigating through the routine boredom that life tends to become for so many.  Furthermore, it was never Father's intention for our lives to be filled with so much trouble that we find ourselves encountering episode after episode of seemingly endless drama.  Like, for real... At what point do we truly live?  When do we embrace the possibilities life affords?  And why aren't we really enjoying life? 

As scripture tells us (in John 10:10), Christ came that we might have life more abundantly. So let's do ourselves a huge favor here and STOP being content with just getting by. We've celebrated long enough that we've made it through, we've survived and that we've not let go. It's now past time for us to demand MORE from life. 

There's absolutely nothing wrong with expressing gratitude for wherever you may be in life and what you've come from. After all, we're instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to give thanks in everything. But let's be clear: our refusal to settle for whatever life dishes doesn't make us ungrateful. Yet, it does motivate us to REACH higher, WORK harder and THINK bigger. Because, for those who are determined to have (and enjoy) a "life more abundantly" experience, good enough is simply NOT enough. 

To the truly renewed mind, we are much greater than where we are right now. And it's not rocket science to see that we'll never achieve greatness until we first experience a shift in culture towards greater. Our way of living MUST shift away from satisfaction with a "just getting by" cultural mindset. 

We must challenge ourselves. We must embrace more progressive paradigms. We must dare to do things differently than we've seen them done. In order to experience life more abundantly, we must be willing to humble ourselves and be taught by the Set Apart (Holy) Spirit how to leverage Heaven's influence over the earth for the advancement of our King's agenda.  For EVERY believer, that literally means adjusting to a whole new way of life.  So, are YOU willing to demand more from life?  Or will you just continue in the way that seems right because it's all you've ever experienced?

Father, it is our prayer that we be shifted from the vain traditions that have influenced us to live beneath our privilege as Your children. As You continue to open the eyes of our understanding that we may be enlightened, keep stirring within us the desire to demand more from life. Do not allow us to remain complacent with how life is (or has been) for us. Ignite our passion, O GOD, to pursue the greatness which we are more than capable of manifesting. May supernatural strength arise in us to reach higher, work harder and think bigger. For the glory belongs to You, forever and ever. Amen. 

In Pursuit of Intentional Corporateness

It is often said that teamwork makes the dream work. And as cliche' as that may sound, it really doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that two heads are better than one.  We live in an increasingly social culture that strongly encourages collaboration in the areas of education, commerce, and even government.  With greater emphasis now being placed upon building high-performing teams as opposed to celebrating superstar MVP's, the Body of Christ has an amazing opportunity to lead the way in exemplifying how the culture of Heaven interprets teamwork.  More importantly, we can shift the cultural dynamic in the various environments in which we go in and out by appropriating Messiah's teachings in our everday dealings with those whom we collaborate.

As an observant believer, I more clearly see now why the Body of Christ MUST be in the world but not of the world.  The world around us is filled with messy situations that cannot be overlooked.  And if we--as high-performing teams--are going to shift the cultural climate in the territories to which we have been sent, then we simply cannot afford to be "religious" ostriches burying our heads in the sand.  No more can we avoid grappling with matters we deem to be ungodly.  That excuse has been overly used to deflect attention from any frank admission that the messy matters lying before us are REALLY above our theological pay grade, and we know not what to say of these things without risk of sounding irrelevant.  As citizens of the Kingdom of Light, we have been placed in the earth to be light bearers wherever we are sent.  Our very presence is meant to eradicate darkness--not in a judgmental, condescending way but in a loving, encouraging manner that evokes the same kind and quality of conviction with which Messiah communicated during His earthly ministry.

Why Momentum Requires Maturity

It recently became clearer to me how maturity affects momentum.  As I read over some notes taken during a recent teaching shared by my good friend William Johnson, I began to reconsider various unmet personal goals from years gone by.  And as I pondered them, the Set Apart (Holy) Spirit began showing me how the maturity I lacked back then killed my momentum.  I lacked the necessary force to drive through the obstacles blocking my path.  Therefore, unable to plow through what stood in my way, I made no further progress towards reaching those goals.

Lately, my thoughts and energy have been consumed with what's next for me.  One of the pivotal statements William made that evening was, "Momentum is necessary for the assignment that lies ahead, because you can't be slowed down in the coming season."  Obstacles will indeed be faced in meeting the demands of assignments to come.  But this time, things must be different!  Immaturity cannot be given the opportunity to zap the zeal that comes with the excitement of starting something fresh.  I have, therefore, committed myself to ensuring that the momentum I start out with is not only sustained but intensifies according to the maturity by which I operate in my work.  In doing so, I am also committed to changing because that's ultimately what maturity requires.

When pursuing a different outcome, staying the same is no longer an option.  Change must occur, and it must be intentional.  And in order to possess the degree of momentum that drives through obstacles, there must be an intentional pursuit of holistic development.  This process of maturation requires personal change, which means I must be held accountable for building my own momentum.  After all, maturity is essentially the willingness to accept responsibility for your own success.  The mantra of maturity pretty much says, "I will not put the responsibility for MY change on someone else."

Building momentum starts with being burdened for change.  The slow down you may be experiencing is most likely due to you not changing.  And the reason why you're NOT changing is because you don't care enough.  The burden for change has yet to weigh heavily enough upon you to make something happen.  Yes, please understand that it's burdened people who make things happen.  They don't just watch stuff happen and talk about what they see.  They feel the weight of what they see and are inspired to change.  They're inspired to mature.  And like a seed fighting its way through the soil to the light above the surface, their momentum increases to bring the transformational development that makes seemingly impossible goals reachable.

Eliminating the Separation

In a moment of prayer a week or so ago, I heard my spirit man say, "May Heaven be brought to our attention.  Awaken in us the passion to make where we are a Heaven to go to Heaven from..." 

If you don't mind me asking, doesn't it seem like during the last few months of the year that unexpected deaths occur more frequently than usual?  Whether or not this is true, I have no idea what the numbers reveal.  But I do know that the fall/winter holiday season tends to make the emotional scarring of death more pronounced. 

As I was talking with Father in that aforementioned moment, it became more apparent to me that the key to overcoming the sting of death is the elimination of separation between the earthly realm and the heavenly realm.  What makes Heaven so near to us in our earthly state is the manifestation of Heaven's culture on Earth.  It's no different than if I lived in Tokyo, Japan.  Although I would physically be thousands of miles away from home, the separation is instantly eliminated when I hear American music, watch American films, and enjoy the aromas and tastes of American food.  In that moment, it doesn't matter that I'm way over in Tokyo because I am experiencing the culture of my home country right where I'm located.

Sadly, many of us experience a religion that EMPHASIZES the separation between the physical and spiritual realms as opposed to ELIMINATING it.  Believers are "longing for their heavenly home" instead of actively manifesting the heavenly culture where they are geographically located.  Death of our physical bodies should not be seen as a way of  escape from a life that is too often described as "hell on earth."  The cessation of life here should be viewed as a seamless transition from this realm to the next.

Therefore, be encouraged to make your existence here a Heaven to go to Heaven from.  Eliminate the separation between the physical and spiritual realm by experiencing Heaven's culture here as much as you can.  And no, that doesn't mean being at a church service every day of the week or even multiple times on Sundays.  It means you intentionally live in such a way that the activity of Heaven is welcomed into your life and free to manifest its distinguishable characteristics in your environment.  The fruit of the Spirit should be evident, and the gifts of the Spirit should flow freely.  Father's presence should be felt, and people should be able to discern that what they're experiencing (as they encounter you) MUST be what it's like to be in Heaven.  Once the separation is eliminated, then death loses its sting.

Why Your Gift Makes Room For You

In Proverbs 18:16, it reads, "A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men."  As I've heard this verse of scripture both preached and taught throughout my life, what I heard (and in some cases read) explained "a man's gift" here as an individual's innate ability to excel at various exploits.  The idea was that GOD has placed something special within you that is purposed to bring you before people of great influence and renown.  With that said, if you so desired to be great, you would then discover what gifts you possess and cultivate them to the extent that the excellence you embody when exercising them, in turn, becomes a platform upon which you can prosper.  It's a great concept that makes perfect sense!  If I may, however, allow me to share with you a little something extra I just learned regarding this...

As I researched the terms in this particular verse of scripture, I noticed that the word translated as "gift" in Proverbs 18:16 is the Hebrew word "mattan" (pronounced "mat-TAWN").  It means "a present".  In considering this information, the verse immediately took on a whole new meaning to me.  As I see it, when you aim to sit among people of greatness, it is the gift you bring that makes room for you to be in their company.  In other words, time is an extremely valuable resource; and influential people are in no way obligated to give their time to anyone, especially those who do not value it.  Their knowledge, wisdom, and feedback often comes at the expense of the failures, mistakes and setbacks they have experienced along life's way.  Out of respect for all it took for them to ascend from the bottom to their places among the top within their areas of influence, you just can't glean from them FOR NOTHING.

Power Belongs To The Responsible

I was reminded last week of something my good friend and brother Prophet William L. Johnson II shared in a teaching a couple of years ago: "Power belongs to the responsible."  That statement really stood out amongst all he shared in that particular evening of revival, and it arrests my attention even now as I ponder over who power belongs to.  If you have ever taken a Physics course, then you're most likely familiar with the idea that power is the ability to do work.  Not just something that lies dormant, it is a force that enables the empowered entity to fulfill some degree of purpose. Therefore, power is only as valuable as the work it actually accomplishes. It makes no sense to possess power if it results in nothing purposeful. And let's be frank here: irresponsible people lack a sense of purpose.

In the hands of irresponsible people, power becomes abused (or "ABnormally USED").  As my favorite teacher, Dr. Myles Munroe, has said, "Where purpose is NOT known, abuse is inevitable."  Irresponsible people do not seek to understand purpose because it requires too much of them.  And without an understanding of purpose, people are totally clueless as to how they should respond to anything.  Furthermore, if responsibility indeed be the ability to respond, then why should supernatural power be entrusted to those who fail to appropriately exercise the limited ability they've already been given to favorably respond to life's demands?  It makes zero sense whatsoever...

How Worship Births The Unimagineable

It is amazing how we find ourselves in situations with GOD that surpass our understanding.  If you may recall, the Bible shares with us that the highly fragrant perfume in Mary Magdalene's alabaster box was valued at "three hundred denarii" (John 12:5), which is approximately a year's wages for a common worker.  When Mary took it upon herself to throw custom out of the window and break open this box, it was ironically the disciples of Jesus who criticized her--particularly Judas.  They were appalled that she would pour this costly perfume on Him because--TO THEM--its value was "ONLY" a year's wages and what good THEY felt could be accomplished had it been sold.

Now according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for U.S. workers in the fourth quarter of 2016 was $849 per week or $44,148 per year.  So you're probably wondering, "What DOES he mean by 'ONLY' a year's wages?"  After all, most of us have probably NEVER given a single monetary offering of this magnitude to anyone, let alone our Redeemer.  So seen from THIS context, the disciples' reaction to Mary Magdalene's actions doesn't seem so far-fetched.  However, her act of love and appreciation for Messiah signified so much more.  It was an act of worship...  But not just ANY act of worship.

The worship Mary Magdalene offered carried a value that far surpassed the fair market value of the pound of spikenard oil in that alabaster box.  One might even imagine that--in her mind--the oil's value paled in comparison to that of Him who had raised her brother Lazarus from the dead.  Widely noted as Messiah's greatest miracle, the coming forth of Lazarus in his grave clothes was nothing less than astonishing because he had been dead for four days.  And with saying all that, EVEN SHE--in her expression of immense gratitude--had no idea that she was anointing Messiah's body for HIS ultimate act of worship: Calvary.

Hand Him Your Worst

For the sake of not looking as pitiful as our situations may be, most believers--especially those who are well-acquainted with church culture--have mastered the art of disguise.  Oh yes, we go to great lengths to mask the struggles with which we grapple, the insecurities secretly tormenting us, even the consequences of the mistakes we've made.  Because GOD forbid the saints see how jacked up we REALLY are!  So we say, "I've got to give the LORD my best..."  And all the while we are hiding our worst, and for what?!

Recently, a dear woman of GOD by the name of Evangelist Cynthia Diggs shared on her Facebook timeline, "We are so busy trying to give Jesus our best but our best without Him still isn't good enough. He actually wants our worst so He can make it better!"  What an encouraging Word for this modern day church!  There are too many people of faith NOT receiving better because they remain hung up on trying to publicly present a version of themselves that is not only inconsistent with their present reality but one that actually hinders them from truly experiencing life more abundantly.

As Evangelist Diggs continued in her status update, she referenced Mark 3:1-5 where Messiah healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath.  It angered Yeshua Jesus to see people in the synagogue so caught up in THEIR OWN agendas that it was just accepted for the afflicted to remain bound.  There was no mercy, no compassion--just hardness of heart from the very people whose lives should be the very embodiment of Yahweh's loving-kindness.  The behavior of this people evidenced a culture of worship that was very much counterproductive to the restoration of that which was withered to a state in which it was made fully functional.

The Hardships Were Sent To Harden You

Throughout our lives, we will experience seasons of hardship.  It is, therefore, not wise for us to view life through the rose-tinted lenses that deceive us into thinking that everything will ALWAYS be pleasant for us, especially as born again believers in Christ the Messiah.  Right here is where sobriety of the mind is necessary in order to endure the afflictions we will--without a doubt--experience.  Sober thinking, furthermore, ensures that our souls (i.e. mind, will and emotions) PROPERLY process the trouble we experience.  When we appropriately handle hardship, the hardness we experience fulfills its purpose to bring forth THE BEST of us and not OUR WORST.  And with understanding of the order of righteousness, according to Romans 8:28, we are better able to see how GOD is indeed HELPING us by HARDENING us to difficulty.

If you would, take a look back over a season in your life that was hard for you to get through.  As much as you may hate to admit it, what you suffered most likely helped you in some way.  And as a result of enduring that as well as other hard seasons of your past, herein lies the good news: thanks to what you've been through, the challenges to come won't even phase you!  Because you know it was GOD who brought you through the past hardships, you can trust and believe that He will bring you through whatever trouble comes your way next.  And why is that?  Because every hard thing you overcome toughens you to face the adversary's forthcoming attempts to defeat you.

Extracting The Greatness In You

Nothing worth having comes easy.  This is why there are people dying every day who left themselves no choice but to leave this life unfulfilled.  They played it safe.  They settled for good enough.  They chose the familiarity associated with survival over the risk of potentially thriving.

Understand that it's YOUR unwillingness to experience discomfort that's keeping you from being great--NOT PEOPLE.  In order for greatness to come forth, YOU must be willing to step into discomfort.  Yes, the struggle is real; and you won't even begin to scratch the surface of greatness until you're willing to face your self-imposed limitations head-on.

You Have Something To Offer

My friend Chandra Hill shared a story about an occurrence earlier today that got my attention in a very unavoidable way.  She was getting gas and noticed an older gentleman doing the same across from her. After finishing, he got back in his car to leave but the vehicle failed to start.  So, as expected, he popped the hood to inspect things.  However, it still would not start once he got back inside.

By this time, Chandra had finished pumping her gas and was in her vehicle preparing to drive off. But before she could leave, she heard the Lord say, "Ask him if he's okay..."  Her initial thought was, "If he isn't, what can I do?"  The Lord's response was no different: "Ask him."  So she rolls down her window and does what she was instructed to do.

"I need a boost," he says.

"Well," she replies, "I have cables, but hooking them up is another story."

His response: "I can hook them up, if you have them."

The Process of Fulfilling Purpose

There is indeed a process to fulfilling purpose.  As part of this process, what often goes overlooked is the transformative work being accomplished within us.  When in pursuit of purpose, the pursuit forges the degree of maturity required to experience success on Yahweh's terms as opposed to our own.  It takes mature offspring to understand that what actually makes success, according to Father's plans, so sweet is that it's timed so perfectly.  This is why one of my favorite biblical phrases has become that of "in the fullness of time."

In our microwave mentality of a society, we daily see people willing to settle for "good enough" right now instead of waiting to receive "the best" at the appointed time.  While this largely occurs because of an impatient mindset, some people are simply worn down mentally by the frustration of waiting.  Their frustration further manifests itself in their hearts.  No longer willing to await destiny's arrival, a frustrated person may--with seemingly good reason--buckle under the pressure of waiting in order to obtain immediate relief and easily settle right now for that which is pleasing instead.

My encouragement to us all in the days ahead is that we intentionally ascribe to the words penned in Philippians 4:4-8.  Within these extremely powerful verses of scripture are found life-changing keys that the Set Apart (Holy) Spirit has made available to us for the express purpose of ensuring we fulfill purpose and are matured by the process of its fulfillment.  Since the weight of this topic is resting so heavily upon me, the final weeks of this year will be spent expounding on these five verses in a multi-part series to prepare us for the New Year.  So please be on the lookout for the coming installments.

Accepting The Paint

One thing I've come to understand about life as a believer is that Father's methods can raise a lot of questions.  We often have our own ideas and perceptions of how things should go; and each time we do, we're reminded that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours.  When we feel like we're at the end of our ropes, He's waiting for us to let them go so He can catch us.  When we feel like our backs are against the wall, He's waiting for us to stop fighting long enough to allow Him to lift up a standard against the enemy.  See, we struggle with letting go of life's ropes and putting down our fists when the fight seems to be the most intense; yet scripture continues to remind us that His strength is made perfect in weakness (as found in 2 Corinthians 12:9).

In contemplating the frailties of life, some days this journey plays out like a suspense thriller.  Finding myself in one vulnerable place after another is honestly quite stressful, and there are indeed times when my moody side just doesn't want to be bothered after having dealt with all the drama. (Can I get just ONE witness?!)  Yes, as grateful as I am to Yahweh for making ways, opening doors, snatching me out and catapulting me forward, the compounding stress that comes with waiting on Him takes a toll on me when TIME is of the essence.  If you didn't know, well now you know: living on eternity's timetable is NOT for the faint of heart because He who is from everlasting to everlasting is literally in no one's hurry.  He has His own appointed time for everything He sets His hands to do to be accomplished.  And regardless of how we may feel, there's absolutely NOTHING we can do about it.

The Pleasure of Purpose

I came across an anonymous quote once via social media that goes, "STRESS makes you believe that everything has to happen right now. FAITH reassures you that everything will happen in GOD's timing." As I pondered this thought, what came to me was Psalm 118:24. This familiar verse encourages us to recognize that this is the day that the LORD has made and further inspires our choice to rejoice and be glad in it.  Given this thought, we must not allow stress to ruin what should be enjoyed.  Regardless of the circumstances, the choice to rejoice is ours! And we ought not allow anything or anyone to make us feel like we cannot rejoice in our time of waiting.

Our Father is faithful to perform that which He has promised (Hebrews 10:23). And guess what? Whatever Yahweh promised will come forth in due time. Therefore, we can stop all the worrying about WHEN it's going to happen.  That time, energy and effort can be better spent making preparation for the promise's arrival and focusing on ensuring the atmosphere is saturated with joy.  You see, our waiting should not be overshadowed by feelings of uncertainty simply because what we desire to happen isn't transpiring now.  We are to instead rejoice, knowing that GOD will make it happen EXACTLY when He planned for it to manifest.

In situation after situation, life's experiences have consistently revealed that timing doesn't get any better than the impeccable timing of Yahweh.  He is the author of time, and everything that exists entered into time at His choosing.  As we place our faith in Him to perfect (or bring to maturity) that which concerns us, we are then able to rest in the reassurance that Father has everything under control.  Just as no amount of worrying is going to make a cake bake any faster than the time already appointed for it to remain in the oven, so it is with the various matters in our lives that Yahweh has undergoing the process of perfection.  When our focus can shift from how long we are waiting to ensuring the process of perfection is complete, time really won't even matter.

The Power of the Tongue

We often quote (or hear quoted) that life and death is in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  It's a very familiar scripture; and often times, out of our familiarity with something we've heard more times than we can recall, we may overlook deeply embedded truths that can unlock new levels of understanding for us but are only uncovered in our time of meditation.  For instance, regarding the aforementioned verse of scripture, I've been greatly impacted by this interesting take on life and death being in the power of the tongue: Each statement we verbalize SIMULTANEOUSLY empowers certain things to live and other things to die.

I love when Holy Spirit gives me such profound insights into the scriptures because from them I'm able to develop better everyday habits through the application of both the written and spoken Word of Yahweh GOD.  This insight, in particular, has inspired me to begin asking myself BEFORE releasing words into the atmosphere, "What will my words empower to live, and what will they empower to die?"  Since BOTH happen each time we speak, as noted above, it's imperative that we not wait until AFTER our words have been released to consider this.  And by making it a practice to ask this question, especially in those moments wherein our emotions seem to be getting the best of us, we can step out of our feelings and be targeted--as opposed to careless--in our speech.  THAT'S the place in which we must strive to be.

Don't Forfeit Your Inheritance

In a recent Bible study at church, Minister David Humphrey shared in the evening's teaching on "Spiritual Warfare" that the believer forfeits his spiritual inheritance when in sin.  This couldn't be more true!  While we all sin and fall short of the glory of GOD, the spirit of conviction will compel believers to confess their sins (i.e. come into agreement with how GOD sees their actions) and repent (i.e. change their actions by turning and going the opposite direction).  However, there are some believers who choose to repeatedly engage in behavior that is not in alignment with the culture of GOD.  These are the individuals who willingly forfeit what Christ Jesus has secured for all who believe in Him.

The word "forfeit" means "to lose or give up (something) as a punishment or because of a rule or law."  It also means "to lose or lose the right to especially by some error, offense, or crime."  This forfeiture is apparent on multiple levels, but it's most plainly seen in scripture when Jesus says to those who claim to have done many wonderful works in His name that He never knew them (Matthew 7:21-23).  It doesn't get more clear than this, folks!  Workers of iniquity (i.e. illegality), those who do not do the will of our Heavenly Father, lose the spiritual inheritance they unfortunately were deceived into believing was secure for them.  But to their utter shame and disappointment, no amount of prophesying in Jesus' name, casting out of devils, and working of miracles will overcompensate for a life of deliberate sin and outright disobedience.

The Power of Love (Part 2 of 2)

(Continued from Part 1)  Let's face it: people are hurting IN THE CHURCH, people who have probably spent most--if not all--their lives IN THE CHURCH.  Their silent tears are going unnoticed, and they're crying out for help in a place that's supposed to offer them aid but unfortunately doesn't because the people in the so-called place of healing have made them feel like they CANNOT be transparent about what's happening in their lives.  So where then they do go?  To all the people, places and things that WON'T judge them.  The bar, the drug dealer, the strip club, the prostitute, their workloads, the Internet, and the list goes on.  It's sad when people find more safety in ANY place other than the house of GOD and among ANYONE else than the redeemed of the LORD, doing ANYTHING but the will of GOD.  But that's the state of affairs in our nation's churches.

Hurting people will expend all their resources (i.e. money, time and effort) trying to escape what the church fails to heal via the power of the Holy Ghost.  Eventually, their wells run dry; and when all else fails, suicide usually ends up being their only conceivable way out.  So with that said, WHAT then are we going to do about it?  HOW are we going to change this?  Because it's not enough for us to be the thermometer that accurately reads the temperature of the environment.  If we're indeed going to be Kingdom people empowered to do Kingdom work, then we must aspire to BE the thermostat and SET the temperature.

The Proving Grounds of Love

What I've learned is that as much as we may want our free will taken away, Abba will never do such a thing.  More than anything, He wants our love for Him to be clearly indicated by the choices we make.  GOD is not glorified when we're FORCED to obey but when we CHOOSE to obey.  We're not robots and drones created by GOD to simply do what He says without our hearts being connected to His.  Jesus said that we're to keep His commandments, if we love Him.  So how can we then convince others that our love for GOD is authentic when our obedience is merely the response to domination?  Even if we willingly relinquish control of our right to choose obedience over rebellion, how does that advance the story we're attempting to tell the world about the redeeming love of our Heavenly Father?

What I have found from my own life experiences is that, as I persist in prayer, worship and the Word, it becomes easier for me to see and hear GOD amidst all that is vying for my attention as well as my devotion.  And because I'm growing in my understanding and appreciation of His amazing love for me, it's become so much easier for me to lean not to my own understanding when it's time to make decisions.  I acknowledge Him and the fact that it's my desire to please Him, and He honors that by directing my path.  And because my trust in Him grows more and more, my transforming soul more readily partners with the born again spirit within to willingly make the kind of sober-minded choices that reflect my love for GOD and bring glory to His name.

It's my prayer that more Christians would come to embrace this truth that our Heavenly Father does not desire to control us, to takeover our lives, or to make us do anything.  GOD did not create mankind to control mankind.  He created mankind that humanity would choose to receive His love and, in return, love Him by desiring to bring Him pleasure by US choosing to obey His commandments.  When we stop looking for the easy way out, then we can really begin to enjoy this Kingdom life.  We must face that we're never going to get to a place in which GOD's Spirit will literally make us do something.  Ironically, its demonic spirits who forcefully takeover people and make them do things against their will.  If GOD's modus operandi were to get what He wants from us by forcing our compliance, then we really don't have free will.  But since we do, we must ALWAYS remember that we have a choice between good and evil, right and wrong.  Ultimately, what we choose proves who and/or what we really love.

No Longer Pursuing Perfection

Following a recent conversation with friends about virtue, Holy Spirit shared with me that it's unnecessary to worry ourselves with trying to attain perfection if we focus our efforts on being excellent.  This blessed me tremendously because the human experience often leaves us feeling like we're not only imperfect but that it is impossible for us to be perfect.  However, this powerful message from the heart of GOD simply says that our perfection is something we should not even be overly concerned about.  AMAZING, isn't it?!

Most people's understanding of the word "perfect" is that of it describing something (or someone) as being flawless or free of damage.  However, GOD defines "perfection" as a state of maturity.  And only He can bring us into a place of maturity that removes all those damaging qualities we inherited as a result of the curse of sin.  What I've learned, though, that facilitates the maturation process is a spirit of excellence.  When we desire to do everything we possibly can to the best of our ability and activate our faith to produce the highest quality results with the resources available to us, GOD honors that by stepping in and further developing (i.e. maturing) us so we can reflect His nature even more.

Psalm 18:32 says, "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."  The word "way" here figuratively means "course of life" or "mode of action".  So no longer do we need to stress ourselves out over making ourselves perfect, mature or without blemish.  GOD will take care of all that, as long as we submit ourselves to a life of virtue through excellence.  As we endeavor to live righteously and excel in our own day-to-day roles and responsibilities, we will begin to see the effects of GOD's hand upon our lives.  It's just that simple, and I pray you're encouraged now more than ever to excel in the years to come.