IF YOU CAN SEE IT...YOU CAN BE IT! - Part II

IF YOU CAN SEE IT…YOU CAN BE IT! - Part II

Almighty God is the creative artist of your eternal existence.  His original portrait of you is exceedingly bright and beautiful.  Therefore, your current state-of-being or situation does not define your life.  More significant is the revelation and manifestation of the true image of God that He designed, destined, deposited and designated as “YOU.”  And if you can somehow manage to SEE IT…you can BE IT.  In a word, there is hidden treasure ‘buried’ inside of you.  No thrill in life exceeds the discovery of the divine intention that sparks and shapes your existence.  This is something I find absolutely extraordinary and fascinating about God.  He hides His greatest treasures in the least likely of places: within frail, fallible, human vessels of clay.

As I say so often, God is always up to something behind the scenes.  It reminds me of a story I heard in a seminary class on world religions.  Some years ago, a priceless statue called “The Golden Buddha” was discovered in the city of Bangkok, Thailand.  It had been hidden in plain sight (right under everyone’s nose) for centuries.  Ostensibly, it was a plain concrete statue of Buddha, supposedly standing guard over the town square.  No one paid any attention to it.  In fact, tourists discarded their soda cans there, and rested packages on it while changing their camera film to snap the next ‘big’ picture.

One day, a priest asked to relocate the statue to a temple in a rather obscure neighborhood of Bangkok.  His request was approved quickly, simply because no one cared at all about the statue.  Nevertheless, while the heavy statue was being removed by a crane, the cable snapped and it fell forcefully to the ground.  The impact caused the concrete exterior to crack.  What appeared to be tragedy morphed quickly into triumph.  The next morning, visible shafts of brilliant sunlight reflected off the gold that was hidden inside the crack. To everyone’s astonishment, inside that eight-foot tall statue was an awesome work of art, forged from the world’s largest single chunk of gold.  Years before this, Thai citizens were in danger of being overrun by enemies, so they melted down all their gold and created a statue of Buddha.  Then they covered the gold image with concrete and mud to hide its enormous value from their attackers.  Since all of these people were killed, their golden secret died with them and remained undetected for hundreds of years.  Uncanny!

who knows what GOD has hidden inside you?  It reminds me of the teachings of Paul, as recorded in II Corinthians 4:7.  “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”  Friend, you will have to look ‘underneath’ your present condition and circumstance (with spiritual discernment) in order to discover all that GOD has created.  I love what the Word reveals about God’s propensity to use ‘concrete vessels’ to bring forth pure gold.

I Corinthians 1:26-29 (KJV)

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

So don’t be surprised if something soon ‘breaks’ in and around your life, so that divine purpose and ultimate beauty can be revealed out of the depths of your cracked and broken vessel.  Look underneath.  

It bears repeating: LOOK UNDERNEATH!  There are precious deposits of gold hidden there!  If I may be permitted to paraphrase the words of Job: ‘I’m in a real tight situation right now.  My children are dead.  My stuff is gone.  My friends have abandoned me.  My health is gone; my body is covered with oozing sores and I feel like I’m dying.  And in the middle of all this misery, my wife seems to be losing her mind.  She’s telling me to curse the Creator and Lord of the Universe and just lay down to die.  Nevertheless…GOD KNOWS THE WAY THAT I TAKE.  And even in the midst of these decaying and dying circumstances…I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!  And deep down in my spirit I believe…when this is all over…I’M COMING OUT LIKE PURE GOLD!’  Job was surely aware of his circumstances, but he SAW something else.  And he challenged himself to SAY something else.  And his subsequent RESULTS were something else. (Job 42:10-16)  In other words: IF YOU CAN SEE IT…YOU CAN BE IT!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

IF YOU CAN SEE IT…YOU CAN BE IT! - Part I

IF YOU CAN SEE IT…YOU CAN BE IT! - Part I

As was his custom, a homeless man slept on the sidewalk across the street from an artist’s studio.  One morning, the neighboring artist sketched the face of this poor soul who experienced the daily indignities of living outdoors and begging for bread.  After his initial sketch was completed, the artist began to add bright colors to the homeless man’s face.  As the brilliant hues of oil paint brushed skillfully across the canvas, the overall image of this destitute soul began to transform dramatically.  The artist brightened the man’s unwashed skin and gave his eyes the look of fierce determination and strength.  Finally, he artistically brushed the poor man’s clumpy and unkempt hair, giving him a polished and regal appearance.

When the painting was completed, the artist called the indigent man in to take a look at his work of art.  The homeless man was hesitant and fearful because he had never been summoned to the studio and did not know what to expect.  As you might imagine, the beggar who was invited to view the painting did not immediately recognize himself.  “Who is this?” he whispered in subdued tones.  The proud artist only smiled.  Coming closer to the painting, the man had a growing realization that there was something vaguely familiar about the image caught on canvass.  “Is this…me?” he finally asked.  “Could this possibly be a painting of me?”  The artist replied “Yes, this is how I see you.”  After a few moments, that beggar squared his shoulders, stood significantly taller than he had in years, and announced proudly, “If this is the person you SEE…then that is the person I will BE!”

IF YOU CAN SEE IT…YOU CAN BE IT!

Our Creator looks upon you and I in the same manner that the artist viewed and conceptualized the beggar.  Whenever God considers us, He never focuses on the obvious: our faults, failures, foibles and fiascoes.  El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One, The Alpha and Omega, The Designer of the Universe, SEES US for who we were ultimately INTENDED to be in the sovereign Mind and Will of Almighty God.  Wow…chew on that for a moment!

Here is a powerful exercise you can try right now.  After you read this paragraph, close your eyes for a moment.  Try not to think of today’s duties or demands…think about YOU…for just one moment.  Don’t think about your past.  Don’t consider your present condition and circumstances.  For just one moment, TRY TO SEE YOU…AS GOD SEES YOU…on the DAY OF YOUR BIRTH…your very first day on Planet Earth.  Incidentally, the God who is the same yesterday, today and forever, sees you that way still!  It is probable that you had little or no issues on the day of your birth, or at least no awareness of deficits or deficiencies.  In the months that followed, you would smile and laugh (freely and frequently) – for scarcely any reason at all.  You were carefree, joyful, overflowing with energy and full of expectation about everything that was and would be. C lose your eyes and SEE that GOD-CREATED PERSON…right now…

My friend, WHAT did you see with your eyes closed?  WHO did you see?  Undoubtedly, some of you might have difficulty VISUALIZING YOU through THE EYES OF GOD, so to speak.  It may seem impossible to see that BEAUTIFUL AND BEST YOU – because you have been programmed by life experiences to see another you.  Perhaps in your childhood, your parents did not care for, nurture or encourage you.  Perhaps others (significant others) chose to highlight your limitations and losses, your insufficiencies and inabilities.

Maybe you even married someone who lacks the ability to appreciate or support you.  So now – when you see yourself – you only visualize negativity, failure and defeat.  If that be the case with you, please say these words after me: “IT IS RE-PROGRAMMING TIME!”  Affirm your ‘image emancipation’ once more, but this time say it louder and with more enthusiasm: “STARTING TODAY…I WILL RE-PROGRAM MYSELF…AND I WILL SEE MYSELF AS GOD SEES ME…BECAUSE IF I CAN SEE IT…I CAN BE IT!  AMEN!  AMEN!  AMEN!”

In the world of computer technology, there is a familiar adage: ‘Garbage in…garbage out.’  This means that if ‘erroneous stuff’ is somehow programmed into your computer software, your eventual output will be useless.  ‘JUNK IN…JUNK OUT!’  Whether you realize it or not, YOU cannot rise above the mental and spiritual software that you have licensed and allowed to be programmed onto the computer of your life!  I have a vital announcement to make, and I am now speaking with spiritual authority to your future: “IT IS RE-PROGRAMMING TIME!”

Never forget this simple truth: ALMIGHTY GOD IS THE CREATIVE ARTIST OF YOUR ETERNAL EXISTENCE – AND HIS ORIGINAL PORTRAIT OF YOU IS EXTREMELY BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL!

So it does not matter at all whether you seem to be hapless, helpless, or homeless at the moment that your true image is manifested and revealed to you.  As Bishop Charles E. Blake says so often, “I see you in your future…and you look much better than you do today!”  So get up from wherever, whatever, or however you might be…and declare with all the faith you can muster: “IF I CAN SEE IT…I CAN BE IT!”

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come.

ASSIGNED TO PRAISE

ASSIGNED TO PRAISE

King Saul was in hot pursuit of David.  Just as long as David was slaying Saul’s enemies and soothing Saul’s emotional anguish via his anointed musical gift, Saul was ‘down’ with David’s personality and program.  This feels so typical.  While performing according to the expectations of others, one retains ‘hero’ status.  When diverging from the prescribed course-of-control, one can be deemed to be a rebel or an undesirable.  In that connection, some years ago, the Holy Spirit seemed to whisper in my spirit: ‘I saved you from SIN – now it’s time to get deliverance from PEOPLE.’  What a powerful personal revelation!  Instead of allowing CHRIST to be the Author and Finisher of our faith, many of us actually become IDOL WORSHIPERS by way of a curious co-dependency which involves the mutual acceptance and affirmation of others.

How I love David’s attitude!  Did you know that ATTITUDE IS A RELIABLE PREDICTOR OF ALTITUDE?  Think about it.  Just as surely as Saul was predisposed to panic, David seemed to be wired for worship.  I am inspired by David’s faith and tenacity.  Even though he was surrounded by destruction and death, David would sing “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)  This determination to practice the presence of the Lord through praise and worship motivated and mobilized David in critically difficult days.

I can almost envision David’s brain buzzing and his stomach churning when the women started offering him greater post-combat accolades than those afforded to King Saul.  They sang “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands.” (I Samuel 18:7)  David knew intuitively that those troublesome lyrics would precipitate a crisis.  I can imagine David’s hands were waving frantically back-and-forth to cancel this dangerous tune, as his lips mimed in desperation, ‘NO…NO…NO…WRONG LYRICS!’

Eventually Saul became his archenemy and David was compelled to take refuge with the Philistines, the chief political rival of Israel.  Isn’t it ironic that he was treated with more acceptance and care by King Achish, than by his homeland monarch?  David ended up in a cave in a remote area called Adullam.  I am fascinated by the kind of people that were drawn to him.  The scriptures state, that in addition to David’s family, “every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them.” (I Samuel 22:2)  It’s simply uncanny WHO God will use to bless you!  So stop focusing on your external environment.  Neither your surroundings nor your situation ultimately matters – because GOD’S GOT YOUR BACK!

David’s dark cave was loaded with never-do-wells, but it was a DIVINE APPOINTMENT because everyone in that dismal cave was directly exposed to POWERFUL PRAISE!  I read an intriguing passage of scripture that clarifies the reason why David was sovereignly positioned in the Cave of Adullam.  Remember this: GOD is always up to something behind the scenes!

Joshua 15:20,35

20 This is the INHERITANCE of the tribe of the children of JUDAH according to their families.

35 Jarmuth, and ADULLAM, Socoh, and Azekah,

This scripture passage seems rather random and irrelevant at first glance; it merely cites cities in Canaan that were assigned to Judah.  The city of Adullam was specifically designated as the proprietary heritage of the Tribe of Judah.  Since JUDAH MEANS PRAISE, this two-line biblical deed signifies that ADULLAM WAS ASSIGNED TO PRAISE!  No wonder David was STILL PRAISING GOD in that distant, damp, dank and dark cave!  Why was David so committed to sustaining praise in a situation that seemed replete with reversals?  First of all, because GOD INHABITS PRAISE.  When you PRAISE HIM (in the midst of trouble), you bring Almighty God smack-dab-in-the-middle of your problem, pressure and pain!  Secondly, because PRAISE IS COMELY FOR THE UPRIGHT.  You ‘look’ and ‘feel’ so much better (and your environment is positively transformed) WHENEVER YOU ARE PRAISING HIM! (Psalm 33:1)

The name “ADULLAM” is fascinating because it means “REFUGE.”  Often, the place where God has assigned you LOOKS LIKE a test, a trial, a temptation, or a terrible time of trouble…but IF GOD PLACED YOU THERE (even in that troublesome and light-challenged cave)…YOUR CAVE OF ADULLAM BECOMES YOUR REFUGE.  Why?  Because Adullam is where God has you FOR A TIME, until he publicly brings you out into your appointed moment and place of divine destiny.  Be assured, HE will not leave you there!  ADULLAM is your PRESENT REFUGE – because in the darkness of Adullam, YOU WILL SEE AND PRAISE THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD!

In closing, read the following scripture passage and be mindful that no matter where you are…GOD IS!

Psalm 46 (New King James Version)

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

BELIEVER, YOU ARE ASSIGNED TO PRAISE…so right here…right now…PRAISE HIM!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

MOMENTUM - Part II

MOMENTUM - Part II

Let’s recap yesterday’s devotional.  Never forget: Your opportunity-of-a-lifetime only takes place during the lifetime-of-the-opportunity.  Your God given assignment has a shelf life.  As Kingdom Kids, our mandate is to seize GOD-GIVEN MOMENTS (vision, assignment, anointing) in OUR SEASONS. TIMING IS KEY!  Occasionally, God moves us out of comfort zones and changes our seasons.  Albeit, a blessed man inevitably “brings forth fruit IN HIS SEASON.” (Psalm 1:3)  Historically, God chooses human agents to give voice to revelation and redirection, so (whenever we hear His voice) we must resist the tendency to become stuck in either failures or successes.  As the main character in “Field of Dreams” eventually discovered, if one is sufficiently courageous to step out (even alone) and heed God’s call for directional change, it can and will happen for YOU.  In other words, “IF YOU BUILD IT…THEY WILL COME.”

You will never align with God’s great expectations if you are passively rest on your ‘brains,’ i.e. your rational mind and sensory perceptions. (Jeremiah 29:11)  Forget what you now see or feel; embrace whatever God declares.  “This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:4)  And this victory is coming to and through you at the speed of “light” via “an open door” that “no man can shut.” (John 8:12 and Revelation 3:8)  Let’s consider another Newtonian law of motion: “For every action, there is a reaction, equal and opposite in direction.”  Although God has set before you an open door, His Word informs us that every open door brings immediate and forceful opposition.  But your enemy can ‘show-up’ all he wants to for he can never ‘shut-up’ what God has decided to ‘open-up!’  The enemy of your soul (and his human agents) appear as blessings-blockers, with the intent of moving you away from faith and toward fear.  Nevertheless, on such occasions the Word ‘shows-up’ to ‘bust-up’ every blessing-blocker as The Lord of Hosts declares with power: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn.” (Isaiah 54:17)  His Word declares that this audacious brand of victory is the heritage of the servants of the Lord!

Who are you?  You are a WINNER-BELIEVER who consistently prevails in the face of insurmountable and overwhelming opposition. (I John 4:4)  You are ‘the anointed one’ of The Anointed One – and there is absolutely no failure in HIM. (I John 4:17 – Matthew 16:16-19 – Philippians 4:13)  So, believer, here is what you must do: 1) Stop doubting God; 2) Stop minimizing His power; and, 3) Stop reading ‘the majority report’ about your past, present, or future.  For if you keep seeing yourself through the eyes of enemies, you will become a victim of the grasshopper complex and never dare to take those bold steps GOD has conceived and breathed into your spirit! (Numbers 13:33)

TAKE GOD OUT OF THE BOX!  He is far greater than any situation or satanic force you will ever encounter! (Exodus 1:7 – Ephesians 3:20)  I love what Daniel and Paul declare about the resident power and authority that resides in knowing HIM! (Daniel 11:32 – Philippians 3:10)  Believe HIS WORD!  Meditate on it!  Stand upon it!  Declare it!  ‘I WILL DO GREATER AND GREATER EXPLOITS…BECAUSE I KNOW HIM…AND I AM KNOWN BY HIM!’

Whenever we take God out of that powerless box of ‘limiting traditionalism’ and ‘carnal imagination’ (a.k.a. stinkin’-thinkin’), we achieve OUR MAXIMUM MOMENTUM!  According to the science of physics, MOMENTUM is a property of a MOVING BODY.  In the natural realm, MOMENTUM is measured by the length of time required to STOP a moving body once it is under the action of a constant force.  In the spiritual realm, once we come under the FORCE, i.e. The Word-of-Faith-in-Action OF JESUS CHRIST, there is absolutely nothing that can stop or reverse what our GOD has spoken and mobilized in our lives!

How so?  Because at the end of the day, our hopes, our families, our ministries and our futures are not predicated upon external circumstances.  For it is “IN HIM…WE LIVE! IN HIM…WE MOVE!  IN HIM…WE HAVE OUR BEING! (Acts 17:28)  Nothing can stop us now – because the God who inhabits eternity and executes time has established THIS MOMENT.  And HE has ordained our MOMENTUM…before the foundation of the world.  So we must and shall stop magnifying our problems with our mouths.  We will speak DIVINE MOMENTUM in and over our lives. Job 22:28 says “Thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light (THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD) shall shine upon all thy ways.”  Hallelujah…we have MOMENTUM!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

MOMENTUM - Part I

MOMENTUM - Part I

Your opportunity-of-a-lifetime only takes place during the lifetime-of-the-opportunity.  In other words, your God given assignment has a definite shelf life.  In light of this, David prayed fervently, “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)  “Carpe diem,” a Latin phrase coined by the poet Horace, literally means “seize the day.”  This classic truth says as much about our FOCUS, as it does about our TIMING. 

As Kingdom Kids, it is an indispensable mandate to seize our GOD-GIVEN MOMENT (our vision, our assignment, our anointing) while it is OUR SEASON.  The Word declares that a blessed man “shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit IN HIS SEASON.” (Psalm 1:3)  In all matters of life, TIMING IS KEY!  Even though GOD IS ETERNAL, i.e. from “everlasting to everlasting,” He works out His perfect will for us within the context and framework of TIME. (Psalm 90:2)  So I repeat, TIMING IS KEY!

What is the practical application here?  We should avoid becoming stagnant and stuck in any situation, or even in any level of success.  Obviously, we do not want to get mired in our failures, endlessly reliving them and bogged down by ‘the paralysis of analysis.’  But neither should we become stuck on and in our successes.  It is possible to complete a specific Kingdom assignment and then fail to move forward to the next – all due to our natural sense of comfort in things that seem easy and familiar.

To wit, God often calls us out of our comfort zones.  God never changes; however, His seasons for us do change.  Whenever God’s clarion call is trumpeted and a clear command ensues to ‘move the camp,’ those who are trapped by ‘failures’ or ‘familiars’ may be left behind.  That is, the human resistance to change results in a spiritual resistance to Rhema (a fresh ‘now Word’ from God), and causes one to miss out on the present day move of God and the unveiling of future plans. (Jeremiah 29:11)  Let s/he that hath ears, hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. (Revelation 2:7)

During the course of my personal walk with God, I have observed that The Creator has ingenuously imbedded spiritual truth within nature.  Allow me to offer an example.  Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion informs us that an object at rest tends to stay at rest, while an object in motion tends to stay in motion.  [Gee, and I thought I would never use those physics classes in real life]!  This law is often referred to as the law of inertia or the law of momentum.  It explains why it might be difficult ‘starting something’ and why it seems relatively easier to ‘keep it going’ once it is started.  Think about it.

As a student of church history, it is clear to me that it is challenging for us to ‘start’ moving in the direction of God’s perfect will if we become acclimated to the status quo and (once moving) it is just as difficult to change our course should The Divine Navigator decree new compass settings.  For example, every major denomination in the history of the Christian Church seemed to start off on ‘the good foot.’  Typically, crystal clear vision was present, i.e. a sharp discernment of God’s will and way, along with profound dedication to living under the sovereignty of God.  But typically, by the third or fourth generation of adherents, there is a pattern of shifting and a drifting from the plan and purpose of God.  This is not due to God’s silence.  God always speaks to us, whether we are listening or not.  But all too often we turn deaf ears to His voice (to His Word) since we have become acclimated and comfortable with our own word, will and way.

Historically, God chooses human agents to give voice to revelation and redirection.  It reminds me of an old movie entitled “Field of Dreams.”  It’s not a perfect parallel since I am not an avid proponent of ghosts and such, as portrayed in the screenplay.  Albeit, Kevin Costner plays the main character who loves baseball with all his heart and desperately wants to experience in rural America what was solely available to urban areas: to watch live professional baseball games.  But there is no baseball diamond, no field of dreams on which any baseball game could ever be played.  While contemplating the unlikely possibility for changing this rural circumstance, an otherworldly voice whispers to him: “If you build it…they will come.”

I find myself wondering if anyone reading this devotional has heard the inner voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to you in a similar way: “IF YOU BUILD IT…THEY WILL COME.”  How did He speak uniquely and clearly in your situation, causing you, unquestionably, to hear Him?  And how have you since responded?   Was it a response calibrated by fear or characterized by faith?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

DRIVEN BY A TOUCH

DRIVEN BY A TOUCH

The Jewish religious establishment seemed to have a perpetual problem with the Son of God, simply because Jesus would not act like He was ‘supposed’ to act.  Jesus just didn’t fit.  He never ever plugged into the patterns, policies or plans of the holier-than-thou religiosity that the Pharisees espoused.  And, at least according to the religious hierarchy, Jesus was always found doing the wrong thing!  One of the things I love best about Jesus is that he did not select his daily ‘companions’ on the basis of their status in society.  Quite the contrary!  Jesus seemed to have an affinity for those who were disapproved and dispossessed.  He seemed to gravitate to those who were rough-around-the-edges, those people pummeled by pain and shackled with sorrow.  How I love the incredible compassion of Jesus…and how I love Him!

Not only was it the norm for Jesus to purposefully encounter needy people, they were simultaneously drawn to Him by virtue of His charismatic compassion and magnetic ministry.  It is a most striking pattern.  Because of this, Jesus’ detractors labelled Him as a glutton, a winebibber and a friend of sinners. (Luke 7:34)  In fact, the more unsavory those contemporary characters were, the more at ease they would eventually feel in the presence of the King of Kings.  How interesting and how intriguing!  Who was it that Jesus would seek out, and who would seek Him?  Among the multitudes, several examples stand out: a Samaritan woman who was a social outcast, a woman with a spirit of infirmity who had been bent over for 18 years, ten lepers who had no relatives or friends who owned or assisted them, a disliked military officer of the tyrant King Herod, a woman who had been possessed by seven demons, an abominable tax collector who pilfered as much as he collected for the Roman government, a man struggling with so many demonic spirits that he spent his days naked and cutting himself in the cemetery, a female adulterer who was about to be stoned by an angry and self-righteous mob of men – and the list goes on and on and on. 

Due to Christ’s atypical connections, some of the more ‘respectable’ types labeled Him (and His friends) as unsavory and unsuitable.  The pious Pharisees dismissed Him as uncouth and worldly; the rich young ruler considered Him to be too dispassionate about material gain; and, even the more open-minded Nicodemus sought Jesus only under cover of night.  The religious legalists of Jesus’ day found His human associates to be wholly repulsive or, at best, questionable.

The Bible tells of numerous occasions when Jesus accepted dinner invitations.  Three of these (the wedding at Cana of Galilee, the hospitality of Mary and Martha, the interrupted meal in Emmaus after his resurrection) might be said to be ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’ social occasions.  At other times, Jesus is observed going to dinner with sinners, defying cultural norms and religious expectations.  Two of these meals took place in the homes of unpopular tax collectors, Levi (Matthew) and Zachaeus.  When people strenuously objected, Jesus shrugged it off and declared “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick,” and “The son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.” (Matthew 9:12 and Luke 19:10) 

Later on, Jesus accepted the dinner invitation of a prominent Pharisee, which seemed more acceptable to religious practitioners.  But when He healed a man suffering from dropsy (excessive edema and swelling) on the Sabbath, religious leaders were outraged.  Of course, Jesus rejected their criticisms, declaring that His ministry is always available to social outcasts: the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.

Shortly before His vicarious suffering and death on the cross, and against the strong admonitions of Mosaic Law, Jesus dined with Simon, a leper (according to Mark) and a Pharisee (according to Luke). (Mark 14:3 and Luke 7:36)  During this dinner, a detestable woman from the city streets had the audacity to interrupt.  She kneeled down and washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and dried them with her hair.  Then she did a most unlikely thing: she took an alabaster box of precious ointment and anointed the feet of Jesus.  It was the most sincere act of worship, a prophetic pre-memorial for his impending crucifixion, but it was completely repugnant to onlookers, those who deemed themselves more righteous and more acceptable in the sight of God.  According to the biblical record, Simon thought “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touches him: for she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:39)

But Jesus Christ was fully aware of the identity and character of this woman – and Jesus Christ was fully aware of the essence and integrity of His own person and work. (Hebrews 13:8)  To wit, He transformed an ordinary social occasion into a ‘teachable moment’ – providing Simon a practical and memorable lesson on the atoning grace and mercy of God.  Finally, Jesus Christ forgave this worshiping woman for all of her sins and offered a benediction of “peace” upon her departure.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

The intruding woman had not arrived there by virtue of any invitation or expectation of the dinner host.  She was ‘driven’ there – by the deepest of human needs – to touch and be touched by the Master.  Here is a most important question for you to consider: How badly do YOU want…how much do YOU need…TO TOUCH HIM? If you really need JESUS CHRIST (and you do) – whether it be to establish a new and personal relationship with Him, or to renew your former covenant with Him, DO NOT allow anyone or anything to stand in your way.  YOU can and will be totally transformed and miraculously healed by His touch, so I strongly urge you to reach out and touch HIM…today.  Your life will never be the same!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part V

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part V

Today marks the final entry of our devotional series highlighting FOUR ADVERSARIES that typically manifest as believers prepare to enter open doors that Almighty God has designed and dispatched.   Our foundational scripture text for this series is I Corinthians 16:9, “For A great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many ADVERSARIES.”  We learned that ADVERSARY NUMBER ONE is SITUATIONAL DOUBT, Satan’s attempt to promote fear and faithlessness.  ADVERSARY NUMBER TWO is GIFT-BASED PRIDE, our archenemy’s strategy to distort the self-images of gifted believers and thus paralyze their forward progress.  ADVERSARY NUMBER THREE is excessive INDEPENDENCE, in lieu of submitted Kingdom connections and covenant relationships.

ADVERSARY NUMBER FOUR is COVETOUSNESS.  Dictionary.com defines “covetousness” as “inordinately or wrongfully desirous of wealth or possessions.” Therefore, covetousness is synonymous with greed.  Jesus Christ issued a crystal-clear warning about this, printed in entirety below:

Luke 12:15-34
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with believers being desirous of financial stability and prosperity, it is important to be acutely aware of those things which constitute our greatest priority and emphasis.  As KINGDOM-KIDS, we seek first THE KINGDOM!  May I repeat?  As KINGDOM-KIDS, we seek first THE KINGDOM!   

In some segments of the institutional church, distorted teachings about wealth and prosperity have supplanted the true gospel.  Such teachings have the tendency to morph into a spurious form of greed, manipulation and oppression – all in the name of GOD.  We must critically reflect on our motives and monitor our ambitions.  Is gaining access to more power and possessions our primary goal – or are we all about saving lost souls?  Jesus declared “you have the poor with you always.” (Mark 14:7)  Since HE did not promise riches to every believer (as some erroneously proclaim), wealth and riches are not the end goal of the gospel.  Therefore they should not be the primary objective of believers. (Matthew 19:23-24 and Colossians 3:1-2)  In the words of the Apostle Paul, “the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (I Timothy 6:10)  If we are serious about walking through the open doors GOD has promised and provided, it must be accomplished in the realm of the Spirit, i.e. it must be ALL-ABOUT-JESUS, and never all-about-us.

Our God has promised the manifestation of open doors (Revelation 3:8), but He also warned that strong adversaries would show up to potentially block our entry. (I Corinthians 16:9b)  To recap, DOUBT is our adversary.  PRIDE is our adversary.  EXCESSIVE INDEPENDENCE is our adversary.  COVETOUSNESS (greed) is our adversary.  

Bottom-line: each one of these enemies is delivered as an express package from hell, designed to impede our passage through open doors of divine destiny and blessing.  Since we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices (II Corinthians 2:11), how can we achieve continual victory over such powerful adversaries?  The answer is an immediate return to the basic fundamentals of the faith: 1) intensive Word study, 2) fervent prayer, 3) regular fasting, and 4) being filled with and led by the Holy Spirit.  When we are filled with the Spirit, we are provided with guidance, comfort, Word-remembrance, and peace. (John 14:26-27)  Believer, are you ready now?  Are you ready, willing and able to embrace ALL that GOD has planned for you?  Get up now, believer, and start walking (with faith, knowledge, power, humility, love and confidence) through your open door!

While we are marching forward in faith, let us offer an expectant praisE to our Lord:

“Now thanks be to GOD who always leads us in triumph in CHRIST!”  (II Corinthians 2:14a, NKJV)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part IV

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part IV

In this series, we continue our examination of FOUR ADVERSARIES that show up when believers are divinely positioned to walk through open doors of present and future opportunity.  To reprise the Apostle Paul’s relevant insight: “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me…and there are many ADVERSARIES.” (I Corinthians 16:9)  To briefly recap, Adversary Number One is SITUATIONAL DOUBT, a satanic strategy deployed to induce uncertainty and fear as we experience the unfamiliar.  Adversary Number Two is GIFT-BASED PRIDE.  As the polar opposite of doubt, it is the archenemy’s malicious intent to ‘blow-up’ a believer’s ego and distort his/her self-image, especially pertaining to natural blessings and spiritual gifts.  Today, let’s go a little farther in our explanation of these satanic strategies that are tantamount to spiritual warfare.

Adversary Number Three manifests to move believers toward too much INDEPENDENCE, as opposed to establishing submitted Kingdom partnerships with God and mutual covenant relationships with our spiritual siblings.

This tendency towards an exaggerated sense of independence is especially pronounced in societies where personal freedoms are prized and exalted above all else.  For example, in the USA we pride ourselves on exercising freedom of speech, a first amendment constitutional right.  Because of this, we feel legally entitled to say whatever we want – when, where, how and why we choose to say it.  But history proves that positive outcomes elude individuals who place wisdom on the shelf and insist on having their say.  Fact is, the Word vigorously opposes loose and wagging tongues: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything…let thy words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2 and Colossians 4:6)

While liberty is a marvelous thing, the proper and judicious use of FREEDOM can be (and often is) taken out of context or misappropriated.  We need look no farther than Genesis chapter three for prime evidence of this.  God created Adam and Eve.  In doing so, He extended the twin entitlements of earthly dominion and freedom of choice.  There was only one boundary to their independence – one minor restriction.  Nevertheless, their erroneous sense of independence resulted in a deliberate choice to honor the serpent’s suggestions over God’s command, along with a tragic fall from grace and separation from full fellowship with their Creator.  Freedom to choose is wonderful, but one must never forget that it is always pregnant with temporal and eternal consequences.

During my seminary years, I took a course entitled “Systematic Theology.”  One day, Dr. Diamond said something I shall never forget: “ALL SIN IS IDOLATRY.”  At first I balked at this because it just didn’t feel right to me.  But on closer examination, his statement made all the sense in the world.  Because at its core, ALL SIN is one’s personal choice to become ‘god’ in their own world.  Whenever we enthrone and crown ourselves as lords-of-life, it diminishes our desire to connect and consult with the true and living God.  Consequently, we become daily worshippers at the altar of ego, intellect, ability and ambition.  One of my favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6, which says “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  While growing up, a porcelain scripture plaque on our dining room wall served as a daily reminder of this divine directive.

Sisters and brothers, I try not to be overly critical, especially when I am speaking about the church.  In fact, I tend to be an apologist for the church because I believe, despite our problems and challenges, that we are far better off seeking God (inside the church) than those who deny or ignore Him (outside of the church).  But I am required to be honest.  One of our institutional growth-edges is our tendency to feel that today’s church is a fully independent and democratic society.  I hear both clergy and laity talking about “OUR RIGHTS” and the way things should ‘BE’ in the church.  To be candid, I sometimes feel that we forget that it is the Lord’s church, not ours.  We are simply stewards, not owners.  As you know, the church is a theocracy, not a democracy.  As such, both Individual and corporate footsteps must be “ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23), not enacted solely through our diverse dogmas, creeds and counsels.  And never should any decisions or actions be based upon a “private interpretation” of the Word. (II Peter 1:20)

I am keenly aware that whoever the Son sets free is eternally and indisputably “free indeed.” (John 8:36)  But we must never use our liberty in Christ as a cloak to cover self-righteousness or sin. (Galatians 5:13)  It is true that God opens doors that no man can shut. (Revelation 3:8)  But sometimes…GOD SHUTS DOORS that no man can open!  Why?  Because sometimes, as the old folks were prone to say, we become too big for our britches!  WE NEED GOD!  Liberty and independence are remarkable components of human government, and natural citizens should certainly live in freedom.  However, regarding GOD, the purpose and essence of our freedom is to FULLY FOLLOW HIM.  After all, HE IS THE MANUFACTURER.  A washing machine cannot testify about its function.  It takes a manual from the manufacturer to do so.  It is necessary, therefore, for believers to take another look, a careful and balanced look, at THE MANUAL, frequently, carefully and prayerfully.  It will tell us exactly HOW to walk through our open doors.  Incidentally, not only do we need God, we definitely need one another.   For any mission critical Kingdom partnership forged with Almighty God is only activated, actualized and authenticated through mutual covenant relationships with all who make up the Body of Christ.  Think about it.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part III

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part III

This devotional series highlights FOUR ADVERSARIES you will certainly confront while endeavoring to walk through your open door – and it provides practical strategies for overcoming such spiritual obstacles.  The Apostle Paul declares, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” (I Corinthians 16:9)  We learned previously that Adversary number one is SITUATIONAL DOUBT, a satanic tactic designed to induce uncertainty and fear whenever believers encounter unfamiliar and unanticipated circumstances. 

Our spiritual focus today will be on a satanic strategy that I call GIFT-BASED PRIDE.  As Adversary Number two, it typically shows up in the lives of more settled believers, to delay or deny access to higher degrees of anointing and Kingdom service.

My natural and spiritual father, Bishop Joseph Edison Bass, Sr., often posed this question: “What do you have that you didn’t receive?”  It was a rhetorical and thought-provoking question based upon the Apostle James’ assertion that GOD is the giver of every “good gift and every perfect gift.”  Dad’s question was also rooted in St. Paul’s admonitions against pride, aimed at the Church of Corinth. (I Corinthians 4:7)  Implicitly, my father was suggesting that there is never any legitimate reason for one to ‘trip’ and become self-exalted due to earthly achievements, material possessions, or spiritual enablements.   After all, every single thing (both in the natural and spiritual realms) originates with OUR MAKER.  Therefore, any sense of entitlement, self-satisfaction, or arrogance that we display whenever God ‘chooses’ to personally endow us would be something like a Porsche ‘boasting’ because it turned out to be the finest or fastest car on the block!   If it were ever appropriate to do boasting of this sort, all ‘bragging rights’ would be retained by either the manufacturerS or ownerS, and not by the end-product of their creativity and labor.  In my Dad’s terms, “What does the Porsche HAVE…that it did not RECEIVE?”  Get my point? 

By the way, since “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein,” ALL of us belong to ALMIGHTY GOD, THE DIVINE MANUFACTURER, along with anything that we seem to possess during our sojourn on earth. (Psalm 24:1)  Think deeply about this…and you will never ever trip over your own ego again!

It is important to note that gift-based pride is a satanic device that most often emerges when we could not be easily distracted or destroyed by other kinds of temptation.  When we think about it in that way, it means that we had actually won out over Satan…so far.  How so?  This kind of attack proves that Satan had already attempted and failed with other methods, and our ability to overcome them resulted (to his utter dismay) in a clear manifestation of divine favor and blessing.  So…since Satan could not thwart our walk with God via his typical array of temptations, he launches a rather brilliant ambush.  Since he is unable to defeat us in any other way, Satan appears at the moment of our greatest blessing/anointing/advancing and attempts to ‘blow up our ego’ and ‘distort our self-image.’  This stands in direct contradiction to the customary worship and exaltation of Our Creator since GOD is the giver of “every good and perfect gift”…not us. (James 1:17)  Trippin’ believers continually boast on their personal capacities and accomplishments, having developed spiritual amnesia and totally forgotten that ALL of what we are (or shall be) originates with GOD.  Obviously, this out-of-bounds attitude and mindset has no place in the lives of true believers!  In fact, we are duly warned that “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

Nevertheless, there is a way out of this predicament since we are armed with God-ordained wisdom and timely exits from satanic snares.  The Word affirms the fact that “there has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)  

There are at least three effective strategies for avoiding gift-based pride.  First of all, as God commands, “HUMBLE YOURSELVES in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)  Secondly, because God resists proud people and endows humble people with His grace, James instructs believers to “SUBMIT YOURSELVES therefore to GOD.”  Bowing before Him regularly – in prayer, in worship, in Word – motivates our flesh and our spirit to keep God seated on the throne, not ourselves.  Finally, believers are admonished to “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:6-7)  In other words, whenever we are tempted to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, we must discipline and direct our minds toward Christ-centered thoughts, which immediately exorcises all ‘stinkin’-thinkin’! (Romans 12:3 – Philippians 4:8)

Finally, Meditating purposefully, proactively, positively and prayerfully on the things of God keeps us from becoming too self-absorbed, that is, it prevents us from becoming overly focused on our failures or swept away by our successes. (Joshua 1:8 – Psalm 119)   Almighty God summons us believers to balance and moderation in every dimension of our lives.  (Philippians 4:5)  Point To Ponder: ‘WHO are you contemplating more so today…GOD or yourself?’  If we would walk soon through our wide open doorS, we must allow Christ an intimate level of access that will transform our thinking and revolutionize our doing. (II Corinthians 5:17 – Psalm 1:2)  Both our attitudes and actions are must be fully subject to the Lordship of Christ.  In closing, prayerfully consider this: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part II

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part II

Yesterday we learned that there is a definite cost for opportunity.  Fact is, any door that GOD opens inevitably means the revelation of new and powerful adversaries.  Why?  In the Old Testament, we learn that if God really ‘likes’ you (so to speak), he tells the devil about you, e.g. the story of Job.  “Hast thou considered my servant Job?” (Job 1:8)  And in connection with your own life situation, it sometimes seems as if God is bragging on your outstanding character, ability and spiritual maturity.   It’s almost as if GOD is saying ‘I’m incredibly proud of YOU…and I just want Satan to know who’s on MY team!’

So whenever your dream door opens, you discover the presence of giants in the land.  I find it fascinating that while God paints the image of your dream in your spirit, He always seems to delete the giants.  Why?  Because giants have never ever been a problem for God!  Sisters and brothers, it’s time to flip your mental script!  Giants are deployed to build you, not to destroy.  The divine purpose of giants is to activate and focus our faith.  Trouble has a way of doing exactly that.  It drives us knee-ward and jump-starts our hunger and thirst for God’s Word.  Then, via humble supplication and divine direction, we rediscover our confidence – as God orders our steps.  Think about it.  If we had advance knowledge of the giants, we might be intimidated and paralyzed by whatever lies ahead.  But “we walk by faith, not by sight.” (II Corinthians 5:7)  I love the fact that our footsteps are sovereignly managed by God, not by our sensory insights or imaginations. (Psalm 37:23 and II Corinthians 10:4-5)

Allow me to point out FOUR ADVERSARIES that you must confront and conquer in order to walk through your open door.  The first enemy is what I call SITUATIONAL DOUBT.  Although we have walked with God and are reasonably acquainted with His power and providence, it’s funny how we sink so quickly into a quagmire of doubt when we encounter situations that seem new and unfamiliar.  To be transparent, this happened in my own life (over and over again) until I received powerful dual revelations.  First of all, there is “no new thing under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)  Secondly, Satan only has three tricks up his demonic sleeve.  I John 2:16 says “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”  I vividly recall the day that this revelation of divine truth compelled me to raise my voice and (via a purposeful act of faith) to change and charge the atmospherics in and around my life.  Here is what I shouted aloud to my enemy: “I KNOW something satan…your power is terribly limited, and as I overcome in these three areas. I overcome every weapon in your arsenal!  I AM AN OVERCOMER!”  

That revelation and declaration transformed my thinking and my life – forever!

Here is another biblical insight to focus your faith. “If GOD be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)  I often frame this Word revelation in a very practical way.  I literally talk to myself, rehearsing how GOD has faithfully intervened in my prior life experiences.  My reasoning goes something like this: ‘If GOD delivered me out of THAT, He will surely deliver me out of THIS!  The Old Testament identifies Him as the GOD who “changes not!” (Malachi 3:6)  The New Testament proclaims Him as “JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME, YESTERDAY, AND TODAY, AND FOREVER!” (Hebrews 13:8)  It is satanic deception that causes believers to DOUBT (even for one second) that ALMIGHTY GOD who has so obviously been “our HELP in ages past” (or years past), will somehow cease to be “our HOPE for years to come!”  [Reference Martin Luther’s hymn: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God].

One sure way to walk through the open door that GOD has set before us is to fix our eyes steadfastly on JESUS CHRIST (Hebrews 12:2) and to MAGNIFY HIM and what He has already done! (Psalm 34:3)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part I

HOW TO WALK THROUGH YOUR OPEN DOOR - Part I

A 1977 issue of “Futurist Magazine” highlighted ‘the things that make people tick,’ i.e. the fundamental needs that characterize the meaning and measure of what it means to be human.  “One basic need of human existence,” the article suggested, “is to have a vision of the future on which one has enough faith to act.”  Perhaps unintentionally, this secular article set forth a very significant spiritual principle.  As the Word attests, “where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)  Lack of vision is the root cause for a host of human problems.

Allow me to cite one example: homelessness.  Although the causes of ‘homelessness’ are far more complex than commonly thought, one of its underlying issues is the inability to ‘see’ a brighter future.  I equate this attitude with the wearing of ‘pessimistic blinders.’  Because a chronic lack of hope ultimately produces a downward spiral that further ‘proves’ to its victims that it is ‘impossible’ for them to achieve personal success.  In light of this, carefully consider the following question: What have past experiences ‘proven’ to you…and will you continue to ‘believe’ what your senses perceive or will you believe what God decrees?

When evaluated erroneously, human circumstances eventually erode heavenly vision.  That is, we cannot hold onto a clear vision of what ‘could’ be and ‘should’ be and ‘would’ be in the absence of soul illuminating faith.  Faith is the North Star of believers (or in the Southern Hemisphere, our Southern Cross) which keeps us on-point as we navigate through issues we cannot comprehend and circumstances we cannot control.  Faith guides us and sees us through.  The Bible declares that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)  Therefore, if we want to stabilize our relationship with God, we must develop a mental image of divine possibilities for both our present and future.  This faith (the God kind) is kindled by the Living Word and refined within fiery furnaces of trials and temptations.  But here’s the good news: Jesus Christ has already overcome the world system, and He promises us that same measure of victory to believers.  “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:34)

Remember: God allows some things to be done TO us so He can accomplish strategic objectives THROUGH us!  In many ways, the Israelites resembled a rag-tag band of lost vagabonds while traversing through the Sinai Peninsula wilderness, but appearances notwithstanding, GOD WAS LEADING THEM THROUGH A PROCESS!  I know some scholars may push back on this and point out that this entire group (excluding Joshua and Caleb) never did reach the Promised Land.  But I see it a little differently, i.e. I believe (in some sense) that they DID reach Canaan…because THEIR SEED inherited the land God had promised!  May I encourage someone with this reminder telegram?  ‘I know you might be currently passing through your desert place, which ‘apparently’ has little water and food.  But Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider, has preset your appointment with manna and rock-water (in the ‘here’) and milk and honey (in the ‘hereafter’).  By “hereafter,” I am not referencing eternity, but I am pointing to the Kairos moment of destiny in this present world that GOD has designed specifically and especially for YOU.  You can make it through any troublesome day rejoicing in the certainty of your victory!

Do you remember how the early Christian church developed?  It started with Jesus…one man.  He then handpicked 12 disciples, who were commissioned at first to go “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 10:6)  Along the way, He selected 70 others (Luke 10:10) and send them out as an ‘advance team’ into every city into which Jesus would go.  And just 50 days after His Resurrection, on the Day of Pentecost, 120 believers were baptized in the Holy Ghost while waiting for the Promise of the Father.  On that same day, 3,000 souls were birthed into the Kingdom under the anointed preaching of Apostle Peter.  Look at this numeric progression. 1 – 12 – 72 – 120 – 3,000!  Exponential growth…explosive growth…consummated in a short period by The One who works in time while inhabiting eternity.  What a mighty God we serve!

Friend of mine, there is a ‘season’ (Psalm 1:3) when The Word that has been seeded into your life will come to fruition and you will experience a completely free, full and fruitful harvest!  To that end, here is the foundational scripture we will consider over the next several days:

I Corinthians 16:9 (KJV)
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

Never forget.  There is a cost for opportunity.  And, whether we are comfortable with the fact or not, every wide open door potentially means the revelation of new and powerful enemies.  The spiritual dimension of opportunity is this: there are distinct adversaries for every God-given opportunity.  It has been often said: ‘New levels…new devils!’  Put simply, your “season” will not come without a monumental fight. (Psalm 1:3 – Ephesians 6:12)  God opens a door – Satan sends a crisis.  I repeat: God opens doors.  Satan sends crises.  But as Chinese philosophers have stated, “Every crisis has two heads: one of danger and one of opportunity.”  The call to serve God constitutes both opportunity and danger.  It is ‘opportunity’ because “many are called.”  It is ‘dangerous’ because “few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.