The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. –Matthew 11:12b KJV
And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. –Matthew
Good Morning Friend!
Are you ready to get your stuff back?
You know I was thinking the other day about this the year 2008 being the symbolic year of "New Beginnings" (for we understand that 8 is the number of "New Beginnings"). And while I'm enjoying and grateful to God for being able to begin a new and to have fresh wind blow through every area in my life…I thought about the things I have lost over the years that still doesn't sit well within my spirit. You see there are some areas where I once had joy present in my life and now those specific areas are desolate of joy. There are some areas in my life that love once lived, but today there is no love present in those areas (going out or coming in). (Oh not the preacher…YES baby the preacher!) There are some areas in my life where great ministry used to take place and because of one reason or the other there is no ministry going on in those areas. Furthermore, while I'm excited about the new and what God is constructing now in my life, I can't help but to think about the things I worked hard towards that yielded no fruit or the fruit was devastatingly cut off. I can't help but to remember the nights that I would lay on my face crying before the Lord only to have who or what I was praying for ultimately die. But I declare today in the face of the enemy that I'm getting my stuff back times ten! I want it ALL back and I want it now! (FLAT OUT!) Watch this…and not only do I want it back with interest, I want it returned to me with more power flowing through it, I want it returned to me with more anointing on it and I want it back with greater focus and determination in Christ.
My friend, there comes a time when you get fed up of being fed up. You get tired of being sick, tired, depressed, let down and discouraged. There are some areas in my life and I'm quite sure in yours as well where you lost people and things and you were glad when you lost them (or when they got taken away or maybe even when they walked away) and you are still glad today that it's gone, over and done with. Amen! BUT, there are some areas in my life and I'm quite sure in yours as well where you say, hey, I went through too much hell, I went through too much pain, I gave too much, I sacrificed too much, I fasted and prayed, I even gave up sin to obtain or get to a certain level of peace, joy, spiritual and financial freedom, etc. Only to get there and to lose it and just walk away like "well it was fun while it lasted." NO! NO! NO baby! I refuse to accept that prognosis! I refuse to just watch my blessings, talents, callings, ideas and visions just lay there lifeless, collecting dust, becoming memories of what used to be or what could have been. Rather today its time to pull out the spiritual and natural defibrillators and its time to jolt your dreams, visions, hopes, joy, excitement about life, love, family, peace, money, spiritual life…ALL THAT STUFF back to LIFE! Somebody needs declare that right where you are and begin to call out those things which are laying dead and dormant in your life and command those dry bones to LIVE AGAIN!
Some may say, well I never actually saw my deliverance, victory, or blessings (in certain areas) because I aborted it, miscarried or maybe even had a still-born expectation (my Jesus…I feel you Lord!). To you I speak the strength and courage to conceive again. I know what it feels like to get to the edge of victory only to have it fall a part right before the breakthrough. But you must understand that it was all a part of God's plan. Yea we made some mistakes, we flat out messed up (and probably will again…hopefully not in the same area) but one of the awesome things about Christ is that you can never go too far or get too low where you cannot go to Him for restoration. Its time for you to believe again (in Christ and in yourself!). Its time for you to trust again, love again and to be strong again. ITS YOUR TIME! Its time to let go of the pain, let go of regret, let go of the shame and GET BACK IN THE GAME! IT'S NOT OVER FOR YOU! (Thank you Jesus!) Let me declare that again so the devil in hell will know we are not playing with this thing….ITS NOT OVER FOR US!
"For the
There will be attacks, especially against anything that is Kingdom oriented, because Kingdom favor is wanted by many (wisdom, success, happiness, a quality life, peace, etc.) but many don't want to go about the Kingdom way to obtain Kingdom outcomes in their life. But just because trials and attacks are inevitable, doesn't mean that every attack has to knock us out or push us off our square. To be an over comer we must establish a powerful and consistent life of prayer and life application of the Word of God. Meaning not just being a "reader" of the Word, but actually taking the Word and eating it, letting it apply nourishment to the areas most needed, thus building us up and giving us the strength and nourishment that we need to maintain where God is taking and restoring us to. I want to encourage you to go after your healing, your victory and your destiny but this time around you will be armed and more dangerous from your past experiences! One thing I realize now is that it is possible to take pain and devastation and turn it into purpose & promise! Hence as God strengthens you to recover what is yours and what has already been promised to you in the Word of God take these three points with you as a stage for contemplation on how to KEEP the blessing once it is restored to you!
- How did I lose "it" (you fill in the blank for what "it" is)? Simply looking at what our involvement was in the losing process should be the first thing we do. The solution or the key to getting our stuff back could simply be looking at self. In most cases (to be honest) we could simply recover or be restored by retracing and undoing what we did (knowingly or unknowingly). We can also evaluate what could have been done to defeat the enemy spiritually before He manifested his attack naturally? What were the signs that the Lord kept trying to show me to prevent this? Do I even listen to the Lord after I pray?
- Why did I lose it? What is the natural or tangible purpose behind this situation? What is God trying to teach me, show me or get my attention to point towards? What is the greater purpose that shall be revealed and ultimately come from this?
- What am I going to do to maintain when I receive my restoration? What am I going to change about me to ensure I continue strong once I get my stuff back? What am I going to enhance to elevate or increase what has been restored? Who am I going to help (or how will I help others) through what I learned through this situation?
Friend, I pray that this will be a great year of "New Beginnings" for you filled with expectation that the Lord will do just what He said He would do! Its time to wake up and reposition yourself to go and do a repossession (or two)! For you SHALL RECOVER it all!
Much Love,
1 comment:
God Bless you my brother for sharing this encouraging word.
Your Blog is a BLESSING!
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