ARE YOU A DIAMOND?

 When we think of a diamond, the first thing that normally crosses our mind is the fact that it is a rare gem of beauty.  What we tend to forget most of all about this precious stone is the process that it has to go through to become what it is.

Diamond is a form of carbon that is extremely hard and is formed deep in the Earth's mantle.  A diamond has to go through immense pressure and is subject to very high temperatures.  This process often can take up to a billion year before a diamond reaches its full maturation.  How  diamonds reach to the Earth's surface is by means of asteroids or by volcanic eruptions that force or squirt magma through volcanic pipes and onto the Earth's surface.  It is important for us to know that a diamond is the hardest known mineral on the face of the earth.  Hence, it is like no other! A diamond can only be cut or scratched by another diamond.

I'd like to say to us that, beauty takes time. Ha, ha! (Let that soak in!)

Many times we are quick to complain and murmur about the tests, the trials, the struggles and the pressures this life brings not realizing that they are the constructive processes that will eventually make us who we are.  Time is always an issue for one who has been in waiting for long periods and thus; the thought, the feeling and the frustration tend to want to cause us to quit the construction process.  Whenever we get to this point it is quite important for us to reconsider what God is making out of us versus what we desire.  

There are times the enemy tries to trick us in order to get us to quit, he lies to us in various ways, he cause us to fall or stumble, he fills our minds with negativity, he causes chaos and confusion in our minds, he plants seeds of discord and disunity, hatred etc. in our hearts so as to turn us away from God and His love.  The word of God in John 10:10 reminds us, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

The enemy wants to mess with our structure! His ultimate aim is to devalue us- to cause us to lose our value and worth.  He intends to cause inclusion(s) [impurity or imperfections in a diamond] to our diamond.  The enemy intends to scale down what God intends to be great.  I encourage us today, James 1:2-4 states, " My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  

God's desire is to make diamonds, lasting jewelry out of us.  This means that nothing will be able to shift us, break us or destroy us.  God intends for us to be so durable and strong that we last throughout the ages and nothing, absolutely nothing can shake us.  Hallelujah, glory!  The Greek word for diamond is "Adamas" which means UNCONQUERABLE & INDESTRUCTIBLE.  My friends, this is exactly what God wants to make us into but it takes time.  Will you stay true to the process?  After all, He calls us His jewels - Malachi 3:17 "“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels.  And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”  

What we think of our lives is not what matters but what God thinks.  He is the Creator of our vessel.  This means, it is He Who has the blueprint of our lives.  Trust that He is making diamond out of YOU.  Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus Christ and not on our present circumstances.  Although we are being held under pressure, it is to birth something of value and something great.  Psalm 66:10-12 Living Bible " You have purified us with fire, O Lord, like silver in a crucible.  You captured us in your net and laid great burdens on our backs.  You sent troops to ride across our broken bodies.  We went through fire and flood. But in the end, you brought us into wealth and great abundance."  

Shine, sparkle, glisten, glow and continue to radiate light - THE DIAMOND YOU!  Ezekiel 3:9 " I will make you as firm as a rock, as hard as a diamond; don't be afraid of those rebels.”

God bless you

Shalom, shalom!

A Desperate Cry

Habakuk 1:2 (KJV) declares, "O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!"  Here, the Prophet Habakkuk has been seeking the Lord earnestly in prayer and supplication for Him to intervene in the social ills of his present time.  Habakkuk saw before him  a lawless generation, filled with violence and injustice and prayed, that God would do something about it.  The nation of Judah became stiff-necked, refusing to turn.  

Here we are like Habakkuk, we have been faced with the social ills of our present reality, having to grapple with the grave uncertainty of a pandemic that hit our shores with woes on top of woes.  Some are just trying to pick up the pieces while some are still in denial, frustration, saddened, heartbroken and depressed; loosing job, friends, family, health deteriorating and some still recovering from the gruesome virus "Covid-19".

Yet still, there are others who for quite some time have been faced with immense trials, persecution, rejection, battling depression and anxiety.  As a result of such, they have become weary, weak and restless trying to fathom when will God respond to their cries.  If you have been at that place where you have been praying, fasting and seeking the face of God and you are yet to see the hand of God concerning you, then you are able to identify with the Prophet Habakkuk.

In these times of desperation our faith may become shaken to the point where the enemy "The Devil" begins to whisper in our ears telling us, "It makes no sense!", "Why don't you quit?", "Nothing will ever work out!", "Don't you see that you are wasting your time?" We all at some point in time have been there.

I want to say to us that in these times it is important to keep trusting in God by faith.  Therefore, even though we may not  see it yet, we can still trust His knowledge.  Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Psalm 56:3-4 (Passion Translation) declares, "But in the day that I’m afraid, I lay all my fears before You and trust in You with all my heart.  What harm could a man bring to me? With God on my side, I will not be afraid of what comes.  The roaring praises of God fill my heart as I trust His promises."  Hallelujah!  When God is on our side, He'll make it alright!  

It's a time to be completely honest with God about what we are going through and how we feel about it.  Often times, we pray but still haven't uncover our situation before the Lord.  It's ok to tell Him what troubles us and what we are faced with.  A desperate cry requires, desperate measures.  It is time to let our cry come up before the Lord and then wait on His timing.  Psalm 107:6 (KJV) "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses."  If we cry sincerely from our hearts and touch Him, He will deliver us.  The songwriter stated, "Touching Jesus is all that really matters, and our lives will NEVER be the same.  There's only one way to touch Him, just BELIEVE when you call on His Name."

Continue to trust and believe in God.  Be thou strengthened today and be encouraged that light will break-forth out of our tunnel!

Shalom, shalom!

ENCHANTED Waters!

 From the very first time hearing these words being put together, somehow they resonated with me, "Enchanted waters".  The word enchanted has to do with something or someone being changed by magical powers or to be placed under some sort of charm/ spell.  Other words that can be used in place of enchanted are; possessed, bewitched, hypnotized and beguiled.

If we take a careful look at the story in Genesis 3:1-13, we would have realized that the serpent deceived Eve and caused her to eat of the tree that God commanded both Adam and Eve not to touch.  Eve partake of the fruit and also gave it to her husband.  The word "beguiled" in verse 13, "And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat"  can be well interpreted to mean deceive, enchanted or to lead astray. 

Eve was led astray because she listened to the voice of the serpent.  One thing I know about serpents/ snakes is that they are very subtle and sly.  The serpent used its prowess nature to enchant Eve, so much as to appear as if she had become charmed by it, to do the very thing that was against the will of her Creator.  The serpent enchanted Eve to become disobedient to the Lord and thereby, allowing the same spirit of disobedience to rub off on Adam.  They became enchanted!  The spirit that enchants is a very catchy one!

In this season of grave uncertainty when we are in a position where we are seeking answers it is important that we rely upon the Lord for His leading.  You might be in a position where you are eager to see the desires of your heart being met or you are at an uncomfortable place trying to make the best of life.  It is in these times that the enemy tends to prowl around because he knows that there is much vulnerability.  These are the seasons when he tries to show up with various types of temptations, various types of things that he thinks resembles what God has promised us.  Theses are the times the enemy tends to falsify or cast a tainted picture before our eyes to enchant or deceive us.  We must be alert to the schemes of the enemy! Whenever we get to a season as questionable as such, it is important to seek divine intervention.  Ask the Lord to unravel, open and uncover what is presented before our eyes.  Perhaps we should ask ourselves; Is it the real deal? Is this what God promised? Is this the will of God for my life? Is this in alignment with what God says about me or where I'm going? If you cannot answer those questions clearly, then it is important to pray again, seek again! you might just be swimming in enchanted waters that can only lead you away from the divine will of God.

Oftentimes we may look for a physical battle with the enemy, or for him to come by the usual way of plaguing the mind but I want us to realize that he never runs out of strategies.  The enemy may use our friends, our families, our advisors, doctors, mentors and just about any available vessel he find to use to attack us.  His main aim is to get us off track and away from the will of God.  The enemy wants to change the course of your life.  He wants to abort purpose. His ultimate plan is to get you to live a life of unbelief, defeat and disgust so that you will never live out your purpose.  He wants to keep you swimming in his enchanted waters.  Won't you get out!

It is time to run to Jesus.  Let Him lead you and pilot your ship.  Without Him, failure is inevitable.  Won't you let Him today! Quit helping God to bring you out.  God has never lost course or has never forgotten His next move.  He is always sure.  Let go and let GOD!

Shalom, shalom! 

God bless you!

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