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. 

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.

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 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.

What GOD Promises Is Guaranteed

Isn't it interesting how--over time--life teaches us to be skeptical of promises?  One broken promise after another seems to construct a wall of skepticism that eventually causes us to just not believe ANYTHING people say as a means of protection from disappointment.  Thankfully, GOD's promises are sure, which means they're guaranteed.  And it's time we stand upon the guaranteed Word of GOD and lay claim to everything He's promised us.  As it says in the latter portion of Hebrews 10:23, "he is faithful that promised."  What GOD has spoken SHALL come to pass! 

Therefore, be encouraged to let your time in worship extend the Set Apart Spirit a warm, welcoming invitation to clear your mind of all those ungodly thoughts and ways of reasoning you've let keep you from experiencing all GOD has for you.  Let Him reassuringly dismantle the wall you built with man's broken promises, that it might serve as a form of protection.  As your heart yields to the influence of the governor of the Kingdom, Ruach Hakodesh the Holy Spirit, He will minister to your hurting places and wounded spaces by administering the unconditional love of the Father.  It's time you free yourself in worship, receive the Father's love and be healed, so the broken promises of your past no longer interfere with you apprehending the promises of GOD. 

When Love Must Be Questioned

It's been said that when you love something enough, you'll never give up on it.  Love indeed inspires a steadfastness within the will to press past the seasons of difficulty encountered.  It keeps alive your belief in those outcomes your heart has already embraced as real and true, so your passion's fire remains lit and you continue giving it all you've got in hopes of seeing the desired results manifest.  If faith without works is indeed dead (as stated in James 2:26), then love becomes quite the necessity for ensuring your faith's vital signs remain intact.

However, when the thought of giving up comes to mind, are you brave enough to check your vitals?  Would you honestly have the courage to ask yourself something very important: "Just how much do I really love what I'm thinking about giving up on?"  It's--no doubt--a question that cuts straight to the core of what's being experienced and rightfully demands a response so real that--depending on the subject at hand--it will grip your very soul with fear.  But what must be understood is that this questioning is about YOU coming to grips with WHY you're willing (or unwilling) to do what is necessary to achieve the desired outcomes.  If you can't manage to express how much you love what is now hanging in the balance, then why should its pursuit consume so much of what you have to give?

Take Responsibility

Responsibility is simply the ability to respond, as I've shared before on FHW.  Often times, we hear the phrase "take responsibility" and think of it as owning up to some manner of duty.  However, I wish to challenge your perception and understanding of taking responsibility.  If responsibility is indeed the ability to respond, then we must look a little deeper.  Ability, according to Merriam-Webster, is "the quality or state of being able; especially: physical, mental or legal power to perform."  It's further defined as "competence in doing" and a "natural aptitude or acquired proficiency."  To me, the key word in this definition is "power".  Should we get nothing more from this, it should be that ability translates to power.

When Jesus the Christ was preparing to ascend from the Earth back to Heaven, He instructed the apostles whom He had chosen to not leave Jerusalem before they were baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:1-5).  This baptism was of great importance because (1) it was promised by the Father, according to Acts 1:4, and (2) it would be followed by the receiving of power, as noted in Acts 1:8.  Therefore, if ability is power to perform, we can safely conclude that baptism with the Holy Ghost is necessary for the believer to be an empowered believer.  Without power, there lies within us a lack of competence, aptitude and/or proficiency, if we refer back to the definition of ability.

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.

Beware of the Holy Indignant - Part 2 | 05.29.14

This blog post is a continuation of the previously published post of the same title.

The A-portion of Amos 5:15 reads, "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate."  If something is indeed unjust, unworthy, mean, unfair or wrong, then our response should be MORE than just dissatisfaction.  It should be hatred!  Bible here instructs us to do THREE things, not just to pick and choose which one(s) of the three we want to do.  It is, therefore, critical to our ability to righteously "establish judgment in the gate" that we "hate the evil, and love the good."  And in order to fulfill this prerequisite, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds, as stated in Romans 12:2, so that we can appropriately--and without question--discern evil and good BEFORE we establish judgment.

In considering "the gate," we must understand that it represents an opening--more specifically, a guarded opening.  This is why the aforementioned renewing of the mind is so important: it's designed to produce the mental sobriety necessary for us to successfully determine what goes in and out the gates of our lives.  Additionally, the phrase to "establish judgment" can be better understood as presenting the verdict.  And believe me: when the mind embraces GOD's verdict, the mouth can then articulate it with conviction.  But wait... Once pronounced, the verdict still must be enforced; and dissatisfied people DON'T enforce judgments.  Only the indignant are angry enough to call for the power of GOD as well as make the Spirit-led decisions that will guard the gate.

When people are desperate for change, they will do whatever it takes to see change happen. Therefore, may your worship welcome an uprising of holy indignation TODAY that will actualize your desire for change by spurring Spirit-led decisions for the power of GOD to back up on your behalf.

Getting To GOD's Garden | 01.08.13

As I thought about seasons on yesterday, what came to me was the notion that seasons are periods of time in which external conditions affect the manifestation of internal abilities.  My pastor, Erick D. Matthews, Sr. (WORD Worship Center | Plano, TX), referred to something (based upon Revelation 22:2) during the teaching shared on last week that really caught my attention: How is it that the trees in GOD's gardens produce fruit all the time?  To be honest, I don't even recall what he said after that because this question captured my attention and sent my ink pen into a frenzy.  I immediately recalled something Bishop T.D. Jakes once said about the need for winter seasons and rest because even trees would die if they produced fruit all year long.  As cold and bitter as the season may be, winter benefits fruit-bearing trees by providing them external conditions that are not ideal for the manifestation of their internal ability to produce fruit.  Therefore, they are able to obtain rest from the fatigue their systems experience as part of the fruit-bearing process.

The Desire For Fresh Fire - Part 2 | 01.05.13

While conversing with my mom on yesterday, she said something that left me super inspired to write this (unplanned) second installment.  After reading the original blog, her spirit and mind connected the dots that, "This must be what it means to fight fire with fire."  I immediately became intrigued because I never before considered this.  By posturing ourselves as holy fire starters here in the Earth, we are creating a thoroughfare for the glory of GOD to be manifested in such a way that it fights the fiery darts of the enemy on our behalf.  Man, that right there encourages me to the very core of my soul!

New Thinking Must Come | 09.03.12

I recently read a guide that contained a few sentences, which literally screamed from the pages at me.  The words spoke so powerfully to what I've been experiencing, even though they were written for another purpose.  With just a few minor alterations to them, I was able to use those words to pen a more fitting word of encouragement that clearly spoke to my situation.  I pray that it also speaks directly to yours.

"When building the infrastructure for the ongoing sustainability of a new undertaking, it is important to start small and increase gradually as resources permit.  If you set expectations too high in the beginning, there is the danger of viewing incremental achievements as failures when the reality is that this is a new undertaking and every step in the right direction is a success.  It takes time to accomplish anything of value.  Understand that building is a process."

In our excitement that GOD is doing a new thing in and through us, we often forget that with this "new thing" must come "new thinking."  Approaching the "new thing" with the "current thinking" will drive us to quit before we really even get started.  Measuring the success of something that's totally new against something already established is counterproductive to our progress.  We must remember that GOD is birthing something new in us in order to defy the limits we've imposed on ourselves or allowed others to place upon us.  GOD impregnates us with such grand possibilities so we can press past what we've come to know will work into a new realm in which our current thinking is rendered obsolete.  NEW opportunities present NEW challenges, which require NEW strategies born out of NEW thinking.

So be encouraged, friends, that when you're doing something you've never done before, avoid measuring your successes against those of others (or even your own prior successes).  See each step you take in the right direction as a success - PERIOD - and celebrate each one.  Don't compare your accomplishments to those of anyone else.  They're on their path, so you follow yours.  GOD gave you the vision for the work to which He's called you, so focus on following His lead.  Trust me, He will let you know when you veer offtrack.  Psalms 37:5 is a most reassuring reminder to us that when we commit our way to the LORD and trust in Him, He will bring to pass whatever we seek to accomplish for the sake of His glory.  

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 Three | 07.29.12

Bible says that Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).  Therefore, this tells me that Jesus became proficient in obeying GOD because of the suffering He experienced.  When most of us are suffering, our selfish preoccupation with how unhappy we feel at the moment trumps our commitment to trust and obey GOD.  Trust is born out of belief; and quite frankly, it's hard to obey GOD when we don't trust Him.  

I can't even begin to imagine how GOD feels when our actions indicate our lack of trust in Him.  He wants so much for us to be happy, and He's spared no expense in providing us everything required to live happily ever after; and yet we still choose to lean to our own understanding, fumbling and bumbling our way through life being victimized by the effects of consequences we brought upon ourselves.  No loving Father wants to see His child suffer in that way.  He'd rather us suffer for His name's sake, not for the sake of our fleshly lusts.

Hebrews 5:9 states that following Christ's suffering came perfection.  The suffering GOD allows us to endure plays a vital part in us becoming complete in Him.  And there's no greater happiness than that found in being complete, whole and entire.  To know the satisfaction that only GOD can provide epitomizes happiness.  Life simply doesn't get much happier than being free of cares and totally reliant on the Father, who is the ultimate satisfier.

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

Joy at Midnight | 01.05.12

A few Sundays ago, my pastor (Erick D. Matthews Sr.) delivered a message entitled "The Revelation of Faith."  I won't even attempt to dissect this powerful message in one blog post, but I felt compelled to share the one thought that jumped out at me:

"GOD turns situations around late in the midnight hour because weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.  Midnight is morning--it's 12:00AM!  Even though it's dark, continue to walk by faith the path GOD already ordained for your feet in eternity.  For it's the entrance of GOD's Word that brings light.  So let the Word of GOD light the way."

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.

The Art of Living | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

On yesterday, I received the weekly Thought Tools e-newsletter from Rabbi Daniel Lapin, whom I was privileged to hear speak earlier this year at Covenant Church; and I was really enriched by what he shared in this issue.  He said,

"Civilization's objective definition of art used to be something that lifts the observer's heart toward God... People recognized as art, only that which elevated and ennobled; drawing people to God."

When considering this perspective, it really caused me to see just how far removed we have become as a society today from this notion.  It seems art today is anything but a vehicle for pointing people towards GOD.  As a matter of fact, the average person, when asked their definition of art, would most likely answer that it's a form of creative self-expression that's hardly limited to just drawing people to GOD.  Sadly, people creatively express themselves in all kinds of vulgar and obscene ways in the name of being artistic with no consideration for GOD and Him taking pleasure in their work.  However, there is no hesitation in people calling themselves artists and referring to their creative works as art.  How ironic!

I love how Rabbi Lapin expounded upon the definitions of wisdom, understanding and knowledge, which he explained as being the three attributes GOD possesses as the Ultimate Artist of Creation (according to Proverbs 3:19-20).  He also noted how this pattern was translated to man, as well, in the person of Bezalel, the architect of the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:30-31).  As Rabbi Lapin said, "Being an artist is not about just expressing your feelings... Being an artist does not exempt you from possessing wisdom, understanding, and knowledge."  It would, therefore, behoove us all to become better acquainted with these attributes as we endeavor to create works of art that elevate, ennoble and draw people to GOD.  Remember that creative expression goes beyond talent or giftedness, as our very lives are to be seen as works of art.  Therefore, everything we touch has the potential to both be observed and lift the observer's heart toward GOD.

Becoming the Answer | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

While getting some reading in on Monday, I ran across a statement that really caught my attention:

"Prayer is about connecting with God and getting His word on whatever we are facing, and then acting accordingly. My observation of the life of Jesus has caused me to conclude that often Jesus became the answer after He had prayed. There seems to always have been a corresponding action." --Dr. Cindy Trimm, "The Art of War for Spiritual Battle" (p. 78)

I became quite intrigued with the idea of Jesus becoming the answer after He prayed.  While the underlying meaning was not new to me, Dr. Trimm's choice of words were because they caused me to see what I already knew in a whole new light.  We're taught to pray (or petition) for GOD's help, but I believe the disconnect we tend to experience happens when we expect GOD to work everything out on our behalf without any further action from us.  When there is no corresponding action other than us idly waiting for GOD to move, it should not surprise us then that the results we desire go unmanifested.  After all, we simply prayed and left it at that.

Word of Encouragement | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

It's the anointing on your life that draws the attack of the enemy.  But it's the calling of GOD upon your life that allows the attack of the enemy.  Since Romans 8:28 says that all things work out for your benefit, there's no need to lament the attack of the enemy on your life.  As a matter of fact, you can celebrate it because GOD has already fixed this thing so that you emerge from it better than you were before.

So instead of worrying about the situation you're in, start celebrating the victorious outcome GOD ordained for you in eternity.  Don't allow yourself to become frustrated with the circumstances.  And if you should become frustrated, don't take it out on the people around you.  This warfare is not one against flesh and blood.  It's spiritual.  So don't look for anyone to blame for how you're feeling.  Discern the demonic influences that are responsible for what's happening, and command them to leave.  It's the perfected praise of a confident people that creates for the Kingdom of Darkness an uninhabitable, toxic environment.

Let THIS test showcase how much you've learned and matured since the LAST one.  Don't let it expose how ignorant and immature you still are.  Times of testing are dedicated to revealing how much wisdom you're walking in.  And if wisdom is applied knowledge, it's nearly impossible to apply what you don't know.  So see this faith trial as an opportunity to be promoted in the Kingdom.  As I once heard a mentor of mine, Minister Steve Lawrence, say, embrace the test so you can get the power.  That's how you get to the next level.  It's not confessing the next the level, singing about another level or rejoicing over a "next level" prophetic utterance that ushers it in.  You make it to the next level when you pass the test.

The Takeover (Part 3) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Sometimes we need to be reminded that GOD is our Father and not just some divine being who controls everything.  We tend to see GOD as a temperamental deity who must be appeased as opposed to a loving father who only wants the best for His children.  I can vividly remember the tension between my own father and me throughout my teenage and early adulthood years. As far as I was concerned, he was controlling my life and it seemed the only way I could be in his good graces was by doing everything he wanted me to do.  I didn't see him as a loving father who only had his son's best interests at heart because all I could see was how my agenda was not lining up with his for me.  I didn't see things his way and wasn't trying to; yet whenever I needed something, I always ran to my parents.  It had even gotten to the point that pride set in, and I wouldn't even go to them for help when I should have because I didn't want to hear what they had to say about my situation.  Now doesn't that sound like our relationship with GOD?

NEWS FLASH: GOD is NOT interested in controlling His children.  He's interested in us succeeding and is so vested in our success that He's already planned for it.  For it's GOD alone who knows the purpose for the life of every individual.  GOD already knows the questions that we were given life to answer.  Apart from Him, we don't have a clue of what we're here on Earth to accomplish; but He does.  Everything about us was finished in eternity before time began, and GOD has perfectly timed every manifestation of purpose for our lives.  However, we complicate things when we choose to see GOD as a controller instead of a nurturer.  That aspect of human nature we inherited from Adam and Eve kicks in right there because we take on a rebellious mindset once the enemy influences our thoughts to believe that GOD is trying to control us.  If you don't believe me, it's right there in Genesis 3:1-6 (The Message Remix):

The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal GOD had made.  He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that GOD told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"

The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all.  We can eat from the trees in the garden.  It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"

The serpant told the Woman, "You won't die.  God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on.  You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."

When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it--she'd know everything!--she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.