When You Feel Overwhelmed

Have you ever been in a place where the weight of your life's challenges seemed to be way too much to handle? It's probably safe to say that all humankind has experienced such feelings. In the midst of the heaviness, it can be seemingly difficult to cast your cares upon GOD in worship. But the one thing your opposition is counting on is you doubting what YOU can incite through worship.

Make no mistake about it, the very best thing to do WHENEVER you feel overwhelmed is to ascend in worship. Don't bother worrying about all that may be weighing on you in trying moments. Worrying solves nothing. Also, avoid rash decision-making born out of your flustered emotions. Emotional reactions change nothing. When overwhelmed, these sort of carnal-minded approaches only make YOU worse off... 

BUT when you choose to elevate your mind (i.e. your thinking) above the circumstances and begin to bless (i.e. speak well of) the LORD your GOD, something more advantageous happens... YOU change! Your perspective, your response, your attitude ALL change because NOW you're looking at those very same circumstances from a totally different angle than before. Worship literally shifts your line of sight from what has you feeling overwhelmed to the One whom those troubling circumstances must bow and become subject. 

Know that the upper hand has NO CHOICE but to be yours as an atmosphere-shifting worshipper of Yahweh. You being able to get past how you feel at any given moment and earnestly call for an uprising of GOD's glory WITHOUT musicians, a worship team or pastor is precisely what keeps you together away from whatever physical sanctuary wherein you worship corporately. PLEASE understand that your sanity depends on YOU--as a worshipper--being able to command atmospheres for yourself. Therefore, begin to decrease your dependence on those whom you have looked to as glory carriers. Start stirring up the gift of GOD within you, so the worshipping warrior you were redeemed to become rises up and releases the governing influence of Heaven in the earth. 

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.

The Journey To Rediscovery - Part 3 of 3

Through sanctification, our born again spirit, which is the actual bearer of GOD's image and likeness within us, connects us to the Holy Spirit.  It is He who, along with the Word of GOD, nourishes and fortifies our faith as we undergo the process of "dis-covering" ourselves--that is, the real "us" whom GOD purposed and designed us to be before the foundations of the world.  As part of this process, our faith in the Word of GOD as well as the power and presence of His Spirit within us causes our spirit man to wax strong enough to boldly command our souls to line up with Heaven's culture.  What we have established in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series has, therefore, brought us to THIS point: no matter how "good" we--as humans--may think ourselves and mankind as being, it's not until our spirit man is made alive that we can even begin to assimilate to GOD's way of doing things.

We are tripartite beings: SPIRITS possessing SOULS who live in BODIES.  The soul of man is caught BETWEEN the spirit and the body, both of which have the ability to influence our soulish realm (the mind, will and emotions).  The soul is literally the battleground between light and darkness, good and evil.  Prior to the new birth, the spirit lies dormant and the soul is totally influenced by the body's five senses (which dominate how humanity makes sense of its earthly surroundings).  Now do you see the picture coming together? Without spirit--the very core of who we were really designed to be--actually influencing us, we basically grew up and matured in this world's system, relating the pleasures of the five senses to that which is good and likewise relating unpleasant experiences to being bad.  If whatever we saw, smelled, heard, tasted and felt was enjoyable, then it was understood as being good; and vice versa.

Never Minding The Fog (Part 1 of 2)

Preface: This post was actually written on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, even though I was not able to post it until today.  Since this writing was based upon what happened that particular day, I didn't want to ruin it by rewording references associated with the then-present.  Thanks for understanding.  I pray this post encourages you.

As I traveled to work this morning, a very thick fog filled the air, decreasing road visibility to less than a quarter-mile on the Interstate.  The downtown skyline, which could ordinarily be seen from many miles away, was completely out of sight--almost as if it didn't even exist.  In the meantime, I had my instrumental music playing while talking to the Father in prayer.  There were several things on my heart for which I desired  direction and clarity on from Him.  This year has been extremely busy for me and even presented some very difficult challenges.  And although I can feel the tide turning, there are just some things in my life that have consistently been troublesome for me.  The greatest of these has been identifying, understanding and following GOD's path towards fulfilling His purpose for my life.

I truly love how GOD relates to me by His Spirit...  As I drove and prayed, Holy Spirit began to speak right there through what was before my eyes: the fog.  Through this morning's commute to work, He gave me a prophetic visual of my life.  He then said, "Although you can't see WHERE you're headed, aren't you still moving forward?  Of course you are.  And why is that?  Because, even though your surroundings are foggy, you already know the location of your destination and the route you must take to get there."  It finally clicked! Right there, smack dab in my face was the issue.  The unnecessary busyness and extreme willingness to help others that I've been exhibiting FOR YEARS has been my way of coping with the fact that I'm unsure about the location of my destination.  It also means I can't even begin to determine what route to take in fulfilling my reason for being.

As I learned from Dr. Myles Munroe, vision is simply purpose in pictures.  Think of it as the brochure a travel agent gives you when planning a vacation to a destination you've never before visited.  It's the only thing you have that connects you to the place you're planning to go UNTIL you get there.  And the more you see it, the more excited you get.  Anticipation builds as the day of your scheduled arrival draws near, doesn't it?  So imagine what it's like having NO brochure, NO vision.  Imagine knowing you're going somewhere but have no idea where you're headed.  Instead of there being great excitement, there's anxiety. And when the atmospheric conditions impair your ability to make sense of the things around you, the anxiety only intensifies.  This is where the enemy is most easily able to leverage the fears we've yet to overcome.  Using our fears, the enemy influences us to make wrong turns (i.e. bad decisions) that ultimately leave us feeling lost, confused and helpless on life's journey.

No matter what may be happening around us, we should still be able to move forward, just as I was able to successfully get to work this morning in the fog.  When we are properly prepared for the journey, it becomes that much easier to never mind the fog.  Therefore, Holy Spirit impressed six directives upon me during this morning's drive in to work which I will post on tomorrow morning.  [Here is "Never Minding The Fog (Part 2 of 2)].  I feel these steps will likewise help you to never mind the fog.  Furthermore, I pray that what's been shared so far has started to stir your heart and encourage you to reflect on your own life.  It would be great to read your thoughts, so please feel free to leave your comments and feedback below.

The Seal Is The Sign | 03.03.2014

Make no mistake about it... It is by the Holy Spirit that we are sealed unto the day of redemption (according to Ephesians 4:30).  His presence within us, as the redeemed of Christ, is our assurance that we will be caught up at the Savior's return.  Although, at times, we face situations and circumstances in our lives that will cause us to not "feel like" we're saved, our feelings do not determine the intrinsic truth of our realities.  How we feel (at any given moment) is merely an emotional interpretation of that particular "life moment".  When we talk about being sealed unto the day of redemption, we must understand that this refers to the perpetual (or unending) assurance of the believer.

Banishing The Hurt | 03.06.13

I recently attended a Sunday Night FLOW worship service that featured some phenomenal ministry in song from Kevin Levar, David and Nicole Binion, and Myron Williams.  It was indeed a powerful time of worship, as the presence of GOD there was evident.  Even after the service ended, the Holy Spirit continued to minister to me.  I posted the following status update on Facebook shortly after awaking the next morning.

Elton Taylor believes unforgiveness will stall a breakthrough worse than a broken timing belt does a car. Yes, the battery has power; but what good is having power when you can't move forward? With that being said, I encourage you to replace that broken belt with one of wholeness so GOD can redeem the time during which you've been empowered but motionless. Now is the time to forgive and let go of the hurtful feelings you've been experiencing for far too long. Now is the time to evict from your mind each painful memory and break free from every mentally tortuous reminder of what happened. Now is the time to dissolve any desire for revenge and to sever from yourself all planned attempts for recompense once the truth surfaces. Your breakthrough depends on the forgiveness YOU extend, so let the healing begin that you might live.
#GodBlessMyEnemies_KevinLevar
#HealingIsHereAndIReceiveIt_DavidAndNicoleBinion
#SunNiteFLOW_MyronWilliams
#HearingTheHolySpiritForMyself_PRICELESS

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 One | 07.24.12

During my initial time of meditation on "happiness," the first scripture that came to mind was, "Happy are the people whose GOD is the LORD" (Psalms 144:15).  At first, I wasn't sure why the Holy Spirit would bring this scripture to my remembrance, other than the fact that it was the only one of relevance I could recall.  However, as I continued to just repeat the scripture to myself, something finally clicked.  Happiness may, in fact, be dependent on what's happening for some people; but we, the redeemed of the LORD, can be happy no matter what's happening because our GOD is the LORD.  

When we perceive all the happenings of our lives as being under the lordship of Jehovah, we can move beyond the emotional responses characteristic of our human instincts AND STILL BE HAPPY.  Our GOD dominates all situations and causes all things to work for our good.  We profess to love GOD and know that we are called according to His purpose, as we confess Romans 8:28.  Therefore, it's in that confession and understanding that we must begin to see how our relationship with GOD is designed to override the default settings of our carnal psyche.

Don't be convinced of this notion that we're just human beings trying to have some kind of spiritual experience.  Salvation creates for us the experience of Heaven on Earth NOW to the intent that we reconnect with who we really are: spirit beings having a human experience.  Our relationship with GOD makes it possible for us to hone our focus in to see the bigger picture: we are a happy people simply because our GOD is the LORD.  He's got ALL of this, He's our Source and we can trust Him to provide for every area of our lives.

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

Recognizing the Kingdom at Work (AUDIO) | 06.04.12

This week's inspirational podcast endeavors to help us better recognize evidence of GOD's Kingdom at work in our lives.  It's so easy to take on the wrong perspective, but the Word of GOD is always there to ensure we do not lose sight of His heart's intentions for us.  Material gain has its place in our lives, as Kingdom citizens; however, it in no way defines what life is all about in GOD's Kingdom.



Music By: Longzijun
Transcript of podcast available at facebook.com/thisisfhw.

Soar and See | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

On Saturday, this thought came to me:

"Eagles soar higher in the air than any other bird, yet they can see from way up there everything happening on the ground.  We don't have to be on the ground to clearly see what's happening down there because GOD has already equipped us to see it all from above."

This blessed my soul because many times we find ourselves in situations and places which we ought not be.  We've been called to higher and loftier places, but there's still this appeal to remain connected with what's going on at the ground level.  Some of us have family members who keep us up at night worrying.  Others among us may be burdened with outstanding debts consuming our thoughts throughout our days.  There are even those who just can't seem to escape the seemingly magnetic pull of old habits and addictions.  All these things and more keep us from soaring.  They keep us connected to the ground, but GOD is calling us higher.  Our Father desires for us to view all that's happening on the ground from His perspective.

One of the greatest benefits in maintaining a lifestyle of worship is how remaining in GOD's presence keeps me in a place that's high above everything around me.  It doesn't matter what may be happening because remaining in the place of worship DETACHES my emotions from everything while simultaneously INFORMING my mind of all I need to know so my heart stays in check.  That's what the picture of the soaring eagle reminds me of.  Even though it soars such a great distance above the ground, the eagle's eyes are keenly aware of the smallest rodent scurrying on the ground and is sober-minded enough to know just when it's best to swoop downward.  When you've been designed to soar, life on the ground is dangerous.  So it's with great caution that we ought to handle that which is outside of the domain we've been created to thrive in.  Worry is not for us.  Addiction is not for us.  We've been made free; therefore, we need to stay in our place of freedom.

Getting A GOD-Eye View (Part 2) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

It's not easy climbing the mountain of worship because it requires us to put aside all the doubts and fears associated with our life situations.  There must be a steadfast determination in worshippers to push past everything that would attempt to arrest our attention and paralyze our forward progress.  Otherwise, we will never ascend to the place of worship where unto GOD desires to meet with us.  Abraham was able to make up his mind to climb Moriah and offer the sacrifice GOD required of him because his mind wasn't on what he could possibly lose.  Just as he indicated in the valley BEFORE he started the climb, Abraham's mind was on seeing the manifestation of GOD's provision (Genesis 22:7-8).

It was in the low place that Abraham declared in faith to his two servants that both he and Isaac would go up to worship and they both would return afterwards (Genesis 22:5).  Abraham was sure of this because he believed GOD would provide Himself a sacrifice.  He didn't waste time trying to figure out how GOD was going to make a way.  Abraham believed GOD and made the climb.  Unfortunately, for many of us, we can't make the climb because our minds are consumed with what we can't affect.  We worry and we fret, yet our worrying doesn't change the situation and our fretting won't help us feel any better about things.  It's through the eyes of faith that we see beyond the present circumstances, so we can overrule our emotions and press our way into GOD's presence.

Shifting From 'Feeling' to 'Being' | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

You never know what people are going through when they enter the sanctuary.  The people who fill the pews week after week represent both extremes of the human emotional spectrum as well as all points in between.  And for the most part, we've been sold a religion that emphasizes going to church so we can feel better about what's going on in our lives.  Even the praise and worship offered to GOD is so emotional because, for a number of people, church is their routine release.  It's their time to just let go and let it all out.  Furthermore, if there's no moment of emotional release, sadly some people feel like they didn't "have church."

Having served as a praise and worship leader, I've learned in my own journey that my desire to assemble in corporate worship shouldn't be to "feel better" but to "be better."  There must come a point in everyone's experience of GOD and His love that it's no longer enough to just feel better about what's happening in their lives.  Coming to church each week to feel better about life's circumstances in no way serves us well.  There is a necessary shift from "feeling" to "being" that must take place in order for us to become the mature Kingdom citizens GOD desires in the Earth.  We must understand that our feelings (or emotions) are part of our soulish realm, which is subject to change.  Depending on what's going on around us, our thoughts, intentions and emotions can send us in any number of directions.  After all, they're designed to respond to spiritual influences (both good and bad).  However, there just came a time when I got tired of the instability of "feeling" and began to crave the stability of "being."

The Dominant Third | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

We are all works in progress.  However, as we progress towards being the finished works GOD desires, we become more acquainted with our troublesome spots.  And if we're willing to be honest with ourselves, we often times allow our dissatisfaction with these areas of our lives to overshadow how we see ourselves.  It's the guilt of our sin that perpetuates this struggle--an ongoing identity crisis (for some) that stifles the growth of even the most well-intending of Christians.  So let me encourage you, Kingdom citizen...YOU are not your ISSUE.

Everything about us that's contrary to GOD and the culture of His Kingdom is not really us.  We are spirit beings who have been given souls and live in bodies.  At our very core, we are spirit beings; and cemented therein is my identity and yours, as the redeemed of GOD.  When we accepted the free gift of salvation and eternal life, we were born again after the incorruptible seed of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 1:23).  And since everything produces after its own kind according to GOD's established order (Genesis 1:12, 21, 25), we are therefore spirit beings that are perfect even as our Father is simply because spirits birth spirits (John 3:5-7).  The aspects of us that disagree with GOD's ways are in no way a reflection of our spiritual nature.  These sore spots are characteristic of our humanity, our means of expression, and the anatomical faculties we've been given to make sense of the world around us (Romans 7:18).

Bondage Hurts | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Some of the greatest lessons learned as part of our human experience are those that generate a memorable degree of hurt or disappointment.  These experiences leave indelible inscriptions upon the pages of our hearts and are often defining moments in the shaping of our own unique behavioral characteristics.  Sometimes it's our fault; other times it's not at all.  But regardless of who's to blame, hurt is hurt when it comes to our interpersonal dealings with others--especially those we love.  My heart really goes out to those who are just givers by nature.  They unselfishly put others before themselves and will give their very last to help someone else, never really asking for anything in return.  Their kindness is usually taken for weakness, and their concern is often times mistaken for a hidden agenda.  And no matter how strong we say we are, people can only hurt so much at the hands of others for so long before they begin to feel like they don't need anyone in their lives and would just rather be alone.

If the truth be told, GOD created us to be social beings.  So a life of solitude is certainly not the answer to the dilemma we face.  As a matter of fact, GOD's work IN our lives is accomplished via Him working THROUGH the lives of others.  So people are very important to even our own lives experiencing the blessings of GOD.  But in order to fully understand what I am leading up to, don't just limit GOD's blessings to money or material possessions.  Expand your view of blessing beyond the tangible to include intangibles like favor, fellowship and friendship.  That certainly changes everything about how we comprehend our hurts, doesn't it?  And although we may hate to admit it, especially in times of disappointment with people, we require each other's presence in our lives to fulfill GOD's purpose for our lives.  But here is where I find we fail so miserably, me included: when GOD blesses us (tangibly or intangibly) through others, we allow our emotions to get attached to the person He used instead of Him.

Protect Your Future, Not Your Feelings | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

(The following blog was originally posted in my former MySpace blog on August 23, 2006.)

While getting ready for church this past Sunday morning, I had the television tuned in to Creflo Dollar's ministry.  The message he delivered was powerful, as usual; however, he made a point that resounded greatly in my spirit: when you are hurt, your emotions will cause you to make decisions to protect your feelings and not your future.

That statement got me to thinking about the plight of our youth today, and adults alike.  Unfortunately, many of the youth have had terrible examples in the adults who live before them.  Lacking temperance (or self-control), people react to their situations and other people the only way they know: out of their emotions.  When these perfectly natural feelings go unchecked, the wreak havoc in the lives of those who have not been taught how to bring them into subjection.  Unlearned in combating their emotions, otherwise good people ultimately find themselves in dire straights when their decision-making caters to protecting their feelings.

The Life of a Champion (Part 2 of 2) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

(Continued from yesterday's blog post)
When fear (ie false evidence appearing real) and doubt (ie mistrust) arise, the champion must identify them as such and cast them down immediately.  Those seeds must not be given the opportunity to germinate and grow, but must be quickly recognized as demonically-influenced imaginations and handled as such.  However, until WE understand that we are targets, we'll never learn to keep our guard up and get in the habit of maintaining a heightened sense of awareness towards the enemy's tactics.  

We must exercise control over minds.  This is accomplished through our minds undergoing a continual process of renewal by the Word of GOD.  Our success as champions mandates a consistent intake of solid biblical teaching because it's the nutrition needed by our spirit man to condition our souls (ie mind, will and emotions) for the enemy's grueling attack against our bodies (ie five senses) to gain control over our souls.  Continued application of GOD's Word to our lives conditions us for the opposition's use of fear and doubt, thereby fortifying our defenses and ensuring we give up little or no yardage.  Remember: EVERY challenger is coming after the champion with their A-game.  Consequently, we cannot afford to dismiss any opponent as an easy victory.

Let's pray: Father in Heaven, we--Your children--come before Your throne to obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.  You're our GOD and we worship You in spirit and in truth.  We thank You for making us champions through Christ, and we don't take lightly the sacrifice He made that we might freely receive the gift of righteousness.  Give us, O GOD, an insatiable appetite for Your Word that we might triumph over every attack of the enemy.  May Your Word transform our lives and renew our minds in every way possible.  Forgive us, Father, for not committing ourselves to the systematic study of Your Word, the Constitution of the Kingdom.  You have given us all things that pertain to life and godliness; therefore, we repent for not being receptive to Your Word and Your way of doing things.  Let us not be deceived by Satan and his wicked devices, O GOD.  Deliver us from his strategies as well as his cunning operatives.  For You, O GOD, are the Mighty GOD.  All majesty, dominion and power belong to You.  Your Kingdom ruleth over all and Your glory fills the Earth.  Blessings and honor unto the Most GOD.  Amen!

Hello Fear, My Name Is... | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

This blog post is taken from a conversation with my friend and brother, Gary ("Mr. G. Lee" himself...LOL!), on Facebook last night.  (Side Note: It's his fault I didn't finish "Silencing the Critics--Part 2."  So for those of you who were looking for the next installment, blame him.  LOL!!!  I'm sooo joking...Gary's a great guy, so y'all can leave him be.)  I felt compelled, though, to share this on the blog because the Holy Spirit literally gave me this on the spot.  I've NEVER BEFORE had to explain what you will read below, so I give GOD the glory for guiding my thoughts, words and fingers (as I speedily pulled scriptures off my copy of E-Sword).

Gary Lee Jonez
...I've been in PLENTY of scenarios where I've depended on the Lord but the suspense of trusting the Lord when ur hanging by a thread can feel like so much!!!  It was easier to just stay... in the boat if ya know what I mean.  Even Peter, who took a leap of faith and went out and did what many were afraid to do (WALKING ON WATER!!!).... still felt uneasy as he walked to Jesus.  He began to sank when he lost focus but thankfully Jesus caught Him just in time.  If walking by faith meant u never feel uneasy about decision I suppose everybody would be walking by faith.  I still wonder is there such a place in the Lord where literally all fear subsides in faith?  The scripture says perfect love casts out all fear right?  I'm wondering what that really means?  Is "fear" merely unbelief?  Would it be inclusive of the emotional/psychological kinds of fear?  Is trust always believing while afraid, or is trust something we do to not be afraid?.... More thoughts plz...lol

I Am A Masterpiece (Part 2 of 2) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Note: This particular blog post is a continuation of "I Am A Masterpiece (Part 1)."

Via the new birth, believers are transitioned into the way of living from the inside out as opposed to living from the outside in as before.  The once dormant human spirit is quickened by the Holy Ghost, and this new creature emerges who must now learn how to live by the leading of his regenerated spirit man and no longer that of his flesh (or five senses).  You see, according to Ephesians 2:10, we are GOD's workmanship and we have been created to the intent that we be about doing good works.  This is only possible because GOD works in us to accomplish what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13).  And in order to bring GOD pleasure, we must purge ourselves from the world's influence so the Master can easily make use of us and we can be prepared to do the works of Him who has both saved and sent us (2 Timothy 2:20-21, John 9:4).

As GOD's masterpiece, we must reflect the glory of His craftsmanship.  It doesn't matter how flawed or damaged we may have been when we came to Christ.  Now that we are reconciled to the Father, our spirit man ALREADY reflects the fullness of GOD's glory.  Our present goal, therefore, is to fully engage in the process of allowing that same glory to be made manifest in our souls (ie mind, will and emotions).  Our everyday thoughts, decisionmaking and feelings need to reflect the Master's craftsmanship because that's what PEOPLE encounter FIRST.  In other words, this glory cannot be reserved exclusively for church.  Other people experience our souls BEFORE they connect with our spirit man. Therefore, it's imperative that we maintain good works (Titus 3:8). While works don't save us, they ought to be the noticeable result of our salvation.

So Worth It | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

It's amazing how many people, particularly Christians, suffer from low self-esteem.  I vividly remember my own struggle and how hard it was to "feel" loved, valuable and appreciated.  A recent phone conversation, interestingly enough, was what brought all this back to mind.  The friend and brother with whom I was speaking was excitedly explaining how grateful he was to GOD for sending His Son to Earth to die for us because we certainly weren't worthy of this act of love.  When he said that, I thought to myself, "Even though we weren't worthy of Christ's passionate sacrifice, I'm so glad we were worth it."

Our Father recognized our worth by sending Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).  Thanks be to GOD that He didn't wait until we recognized our own worth or even got our act together (as if any effort on our part could merit the atonement for sin).  But because His purpose prevails (or, as stated in Proverbs 19:21, His counsel stands) and is not moved by time, situations or attitudes, GOD knew our end long before the beginning (Jeremiah 1:5).  Even when we were up to our eyeballs in a mess of sin, our Father saw us sanctified and ordained THEN just as He did BEFORE the foundations of the world.  And because of the awesome staying power--Glory to GOD!--of His purpose, GOD made a public declaration through His Son's death at Calvary that we're so worth it.

Listen Here, Mountain | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

As I was meditating on the previous post ("Give Me This Mountain"), I realized that I still hadn't touched on "speaking to the mountain" (Mark 11:23).  One of the most valuable benefits of "the climb" (or the situations we face) is that, once we've climbed a particular mountain--that is, experienced situations that ultimately lead to our transformation in some area of our mind, will and emotions--we shouldn't have to climb it again.  I know that sounds elementary, but so many of us Christians have compromised our witness because our lives are spent CLIMBING mountains instead of COMMANDING them.

You see, standing on a mountain peak is representative of the deliverances we experience.  This breathtaking image is a most fitting picture of our souls' triumphs over darkness because, when we're standing at the top of a mountain, it's literally under our feet.  So everything we've been delivered from--whether it be fornication, low self-esteem, high-mindedness, whatever-- is a manifested deliverance representative of a mountain we've climbed (or the end of a series of situations undergone resulting in us conquering something within us).