S.O.A.R

 The eagle is seen as the most strongest, fastest and longest living bird in all species of the bird family.  The eagle  when it's attacked by predators, will soar to the sun with the wind beneath its' wings pushing and propelling it higher.  In such an atmosphere, it's predators are more to be suffocated and suffer death or be killed by the sun's heat.

The Christian believer can very well be likened to an eagle.  There are different life stages that the eagle will go through but one specific one is that of weathering/ transition.  This is where the eagle goes to a high mountainous rage and positions itself on a rock and then beats its' beak against the rock.  The old beak then falls out.  The eagle also looses its' feathers and so prepares for transition.   It is in this phase that the eagle is often battered by the elements but the strength of the eagle will determine its' ability to bounce back.  

Every Christian believer often goes through periods like these when we will encounter the beating, the pressing, the pushing, the discomfort, the frustration, the uneasiness, the uncertainty, the heat and the rain.  It is in these seasons, we are tempted to question the Lord and also our faith in Him may very well be shaken or tried.  I want to encourage somebody today who might be going through a season of weathering.  It can get all uncomfortable and uneasy.  There may be little or no reassurance and no outside help.  Our support systems may be taken away from us and we are left to "paddle the canoe" by ourselves.  We may seek for a word that may grant us a little peace but no word may not be in sight.  We may be looking for the support of loved ones, friends or associates just to reassure us that everything will be ok but our efforts have proven futile.

 I want to say to us, hold on! You may be in your season of weathering but your transition is just around the corner.  After the weathering then comes the transitioning!  The eagle is about to put on new feathers.  These feathers that are about to grow will be stronger than the ones you had before.  These will grant you the tenacity to push and SOAR to new and greater heights that you've never soared before.  A new beak will emerge! This time even your very speech will change to accommodate where you are going- your new/ next territory.  I want to encourage you that your season of transitioning is about to hit the surface and when that comes CHANGE IS INEVITABLE! God has to rewire you, rejuvenate you, restore you and rebrand you!  The OLD YOU has got to go! 

Change is coming! SOAR eagle SOAR!

Isaiah 40:31 declares, "But those who wait for Yahweh's grace will experience divine strength.  They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their race without growing weary, and walk through life without giving up." (Passion Translation)

Shalom, shalom! God bless you!

NO GREATER LOVE!

 Each individual on the face of this earth, has an innate desire to be loved.  We find that at times, many go searching for love in the wrong places and often become subjects or victims of abuse.  

I want to say to us, LOVE is a choice!  We choose to accept love and we choose to give love.  Love cannot be forced upon a person because it comes natural and is from the heart.  If it is done forcefully, it is NOT love.  Whenever we love someone, we do so by choice.

The greatest demonstration of unconditional love has been etched in the pages of scripture.  The word of God in John 15:13 (KJV) declares, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for us, when He gave His life on Calvary.  He selflessly went to the Cross and died for our sins, not any sins of His own.  He didn't have to, but He CHOSE to because of His love for us.  Jesus loves us!

Some of you may have been in relationships that just did not worked out the way you had imagined.  You are heartbroken and emotionally crushed.  You maybe feeling alone like no one cares, you are longing for a shoulder to lean on, the feeling of sadness, gloom and despair maybe roaming in your atmosphere, your heart is discouraged and seeks comfort and a loving embrace.  Today I encourage you, LOOK TO JESUS! His arms of love are waiting to embrace you.  He is saying to you today,  "Come my child, I will help, I will give you the love and comfort that you need." 

The answer is not in the arms of flesh.  It is not in a man or a woman.  It is not in sexual perversion or suicide.  The only answer that you need is found in JESUS CHRIST!  He wants to show you what it is like to truly love from the heart.  He wants to show you that His love remains unchanged.  In fact, that's the very reason why you are still here today, because His love for you remains constant.  Let Him wipe away your tears and change your story for His glory.  Jesus reminds us in John 15:9 (The Voice Translation), " I have loved you as the Father has loved Me. Abide in My love."  I say to you today, be encouraged and ABIDE IN HIS LOVE.  

YOU ARE LOVED!

God bless you!

THE POWER OF AGREEMENT

 We must at some point in our lives had heard of the word contract or, may have made one in the past.  Contracts are agreements that are either written or spoken and are legally binding.  For a contract to be binding, both parties involved have to agree on a stipulated course of action or duty.  If one party fails to carry out his or her side of the contract, it is no longer binding.

Oftentimes, we tend to feel frustrated, get 'nervy', saddened and even discombobulated when things don't go as we had imagined.  A perfect example of such is in an instance when God has given us a word or prophecy that "Mary or John" would become the conduit of certain blessings or promise concerning us and when we take a look, "Mary or John" just did not line up as was intended.

In these circumstances, we tend to revert to a place of asking God what if's.  We ask ourselves the questions; what have I done wrong? Why did things turn out like this? Was the prophecy false or had God spoken for real or was the word tainted? 

Let me help you unwind if you will allow me. You did NOTHING wrong! Then, you may also want to ask me, then why did it not happen the way I expected?  

When we receive a prophetic word, this word often comes under trial and testing.  This is why whenever a prophetic word has been released over your life, it is important to watch over it and water it in prayer as well as cover it.  Most times when we receive a word, because of the emotions we feel and how ecstatic we may get, we forget that a prophetic word to us is another prayer point that we need to attend to. 

On the other hand, based on what was said in the previous sentences in the opening paragraph about a contract, it is important to say that, if both parties [you and the other person(s)] does not carry out fully their part or do what they ought to do, my friend, may I tell you that this could possibly be the reason as to why things did not go the way you had intended.

As I  reflect on my own journey and walk, and as I penned together this article, I can clearly recall the Lord showing me multiple visions and dreams into a particular thing concerning me.  I have had a myriad of confirmations from several sources regarding same and to my surprise, it still fell through even though I did what I was told to do.  I found solace and peace in the fact that it was not on my part that things took a twist or didn't work out the way I had expected but the fact that, if one party fails to line up and come in alignment with what God wants to do, things may not go as was intended.  If both parties didn't carry out what God had said, then the 'contract' or agreement is no longer binding.

I want to leave a word of encouragement  with you.  You may be at a place pondering about a contract, an agreement, a prophecy that fell through, don't be dismayed.  Encourage yourself in the Lord by coming to terms with the fact that you did what God told you to do.  You are NOT responsible for another individual who just decide that they are NOT gonna obey God to the 'T'.  Leave that part alone and let that individual take it up with the Lord.  Rest assured though, that God will still reward you for your obedience.  He is a God Who never lies and will still perform His wonders concerning you.  If God has to change the channel or the conduit through which he will work or even the medium or means, He will but His word will still come to pass concerning you. So, what have ye to fear? If God be for you, who can be against you?  You may be delayed but certainly NOT denied! Stay the course and remember, YOU ARE FREE BECAUSE YOU OBEYED GOD! 

Assurance For Weary Minds

Each and every believer at some point in time, must have become weary.  The word weary has to do with having one's strength, one's patience or contentment exhausted.  There are many things that can actually cause an individual to be in a weary state.  Let's shed some light on them below.

DISCOURAGEMENT- We may suffer discouragement that sometimes causes us to become weary.  Waiting to see a manifestation of the promises of God in our lives it takes much faith and perseverance to see a manifestation of such.  During the waiting process,  we tend to get agitated, frustrated and weary due to how tiring the waiting process is.  Individuals may battle with thoughts such as, "Is God still gonna come through?", "Is it really gonna happen?", "Maybe the time has long elapsed!"  Hence, because at such time, we tend to see no sign or sight of the thing God has promised, discouragement sweeps over our being and if we don't mind, we end up doubting God and His promises.  

The Psalmist David in Psalm 42:5 stated, " Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."  If you are facing discouragement today, hope in God.  He is a God that is not slack concerning His promises and whatever He said He will do, be encouraged, He will do just that.

OBSTACLES- In the book of Numbers 13 we see the account of when Moses sent the twelve (12) spies to spy out the land of Canaan.  Ten (10) came back saying that they will not be able to conquer the land as there are giants in the land.  Only two (2) came back with positive word that although giants are in the land, they are still well able to conquer.

The obstacles that we face can very well be likened to giants.  How we see them will determine whether or not we will conquer and be victorious against what we face.  It is important that no matter the obstacles that we face, that may at times causes us to bend under the situations and circumstances we learn how to encourage ourselves in the Lord and triumph over them.  Psalm 73:26 reminds us, "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."  

What are the obstacles that you are facing? You may have a child or husband that may have gone wayward, you may be facing rejection by your family or church, your ministry may have been on the rocks, you may feel as though you are hitting rock bottom, you feel exhausted and weary as a result.  Be encouraged and may you find solace in the words that Paul reminded the Galatians in the book of Galatians 6:9 that says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." 

CONSTANT & REPEATING BATTLES- As a child of God, it is also imperative that we understand that we are constantly in a fixed fight.  Hence, like a soldier in battle, we have to be on the alert as our enemy (Satan), prowls around like a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour.  As a result, we can NEVER quit!  Sometimes in fighting, we may face different types of battles, some more intense than some and therefore, we must treat each battle differently.  This means that at times, due to the longevity of the battle our strength may be depleted and thus, we become weary. 

Many times we are constantly faced with battles of the same kind and we find that if we are not careful, we are tempted to throw in the towel and recede in the background because we've had enough.  I want to encourage you today to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  It is written in Romans 8:28 that, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 

Be thou strengthened my friends! He that began a good work in you is well able to see it unto completion.  Weariness is just another hurdle that requires that we exercise the strength and courage needed to cross over it.  One thing I do know and it is, your Father, our Father Who art in Heaven will never leave us nor forsake us.  The songwriter caught the vision as he penned the words of the song that says, "Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near, onward comes our Great Commander cheer my comrades cheer!" Victory is nigh so continue to press! Continue to push!

God bless you! 

Shalom, shalom

DON'T QUIT! IT'S NOT THE END YET!

For most of us if not all, can attest to the fact that the year 2020 came with it's ups and downs, major shifts, economic turmoil, chaos, confusion, frustration, setbacks, worry and the list goes on due to the onset of the global "plandemic" that the world is still grappling with.

Many of us are in a very pensive mood wondering what will happen next or whether or not there will be a bright future in view.  This is a time and era where both the churched and the unchurched are looking for answers.

I encourage you from the word of God today not to be discouraged, don't lose heart and sink in despair.  There is still hope!  We can find comfort in the word of God that says, "Fear not, for I am with you; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

God's plans for our lives are never to harm us but to give us what is best.  We can rest assured that His promises are sure if we only believe.  Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, " For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Why then are we worried?  God is not a man to lie or to change His mind. 

You may be wondering if that business deal or idea will ever be implemented, you may be wondering if your plans to travel, for that long awaited vacation will ever happen, you may be wondering if you should still venture out to achieve your goals but be encouraged today, don't give up on your dreams, on your goals or aspirations.  The God of possibilities is well able to cause them to come to fruition.

Don't let the enemy tell you that it is over! Don't let the enemy tell you that it's time to give up and give in!  Today God is saying to YOU, "DON'T QUIT! IT'S NOT THE END YET!"

Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and tell yourself that you shall succeed and you shall defy all the odds because you ain't quitting.  The things God has spoken over your life still stands!  The prophecies and the promises that God has said concerning you, still stands!  

Trust in the fact that God knows what He is doing and He is working it out for your good.  You will laugh again! You shall smile again! Your joy is coming back! You are coming back with a shout!  You are gonna be restored!

God bless you!

Shalom, shalom!

EXPOSING THE SPIRIT OF DECEPTION

 Deception is one of the many tactics the enemy uses and this spirit has many different faces.  When we think of deception, various other words come to mind such as; deceit, lies, trickery, false, fraud, misrepresentation among others.  Therefore, deception has to do with carefully and cunningly misleading someone by means of bending or twisting the truth in order to get what you want from a person or to have an advantage over them.  Does this sound familiar?

The enemy is the master of deception.  Let us not forget that he is the "father of lies" (John 8:44)

As I remained in prayer the Spirit of the Lord began to speak to me about the spirit of deception.  This was what the Lord spoke into my spirit:

• The spirit of deception is an ugly spirit.  
• This spirit operates in conjunction with stealing/ theft. 
•  It also operates with disguise .
• It operates under false pretense and jealously. 
• The spirit of deception functions with a mask; you never truly know what is there until it has been released.
• It is trickery at its highest power.
• The spirit of deception never wears its' own name.
• This spirit knows how to resize and regroup very well. 
• It can be likened to a coin that has two different sides but it is the same coin.
• The spirit of deception always shows up like the real deal, but it takes the eyes of the Spirit and discernment to pick him up.
• This spirit first starts with the mind before it attacks your Spirit.

The Lord does not like deception!  Many of us as believers, allow the enemy to use us to become deceptive to others without knowing that right there and then, we become his tool. Let us ensure that this spirit of deception that is at work, we pray against such spirit so that we don't fall victim.

Psalm 101:7 the Lord reminds us that, "No one who practices deceit will dwell in My house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in My presence".

Proverbs 19:9 tells us, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish".

Let us be keen and remain vigilant so we are able to identify the enemy before he attacks.  God bless you! Shalom

DON'T ENTERTAIN THE DEVIL!

 Very often we hear of the old adage that says, "If yuh play with puppy, him will lick yuh mouth".  The same is true of the enemy (The Devil).  The devil is no friend of ours! The quicker we understand such nugget of truth, it is better for us!

The word of God declares in 1 Peter 5:8, "Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour."

It behooves us to ensure that we become alert to the tactics and evil schemes of the enemy.  This means that as children of God we ought to ensure that we remain constantly in prayer and the Word of God.

The enemy's number one aim and intention is to ensure that he gets us sidetracked and derailed from off the road to eternal life.  This enemy of ours is very intentional, crafty, cunning and subtle.  Therefore, we must ensure that we are  well grounded in order to counteract his evil schemes.

It is also written in St. John 10:10a, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy".

This is what the enemy sets out to achieve. What are YOU doing about it?  Are you going to sit and wallow in self pity? Are you going to allow the enemy to keep throwing his punches at you and you sit around and do nothing about it? Where has the warrior in YOU gone? Sleeping giant, it is time to WAKE up and get yourself up!  Be reminded that we are in a fixed fight and our only ultimate is to WIN!  It is time to start telling yourself that you will win! You must win and you shall win!  Stop believing the lies of the enemy.  It is time for you to believe your GOD.

I want to tell us that, the enemy never shows up one way all the time.  He has many different strategies and tactics.  The enemy may:

1. Cast the spirit of doubt on you, allowing you to doubt God.

2. Tell lies on you or even betray you.

3. He may set a spirit of frustration and confusion upon you to get you out of the way of the Lord.

4. He may turn the minds and heart of others against you.

5. He may use others to case a spell or witchcraft upon you.

6. He may rest the spirit of negativity upon you that your thoughts and intentions are just negative.

7. He may cause your eyes to be blinded to the truth so that even when truth comes you cannot see it.

8. He may turn your heart and mind away from those who the Lord has strategically placed to help you in a particular season because he does not want you to be delivered.

9. He will cause you to always see the bad in others because he wants you to remain a captive and powerless.

10. He may use demonic entities to plant seeds and cast a spell or curse upon you so that you cannot move forward.

That is still not the end! Such does not necessarily have to be your plight if you brush yourself off and run to God, clothe yourself in prayer and eat up the word of God.  Too often we leave our altars empty without burning the sacrifice of God upon it and so many of us we are left empty and unclothed to the enemy because our altars have been empty too long.  We have become too dependent on the prayers of others when our altar has been empty.

Now is NOT the time to play with the enemy.  It is not a time to be playing bat and ball with the enemy.  It is time for you to resist the devil and let him flee.  It is not a time to entertain the enemy's sweet talks, the temptations that he tend to come with.   RESIST HIM AND LET HIM FLEE!

If you entertain him, he will take a foothold!

It is time to clean up your spiritual altar!  It is time to advance to battle!