STARTING YOUR DAY WITH GOD

STARTING YOUR DAY WITH GOD

During our daily morning prayer and worship time, Belinda and I read our DECLARATION OF FAITH together.  Its content is based on the Word of God; and, our decision to read it in unison is motivated by a scripture recorded in Job 22:28. “Thou shalt DECREE A THING, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”  I think some of you might benefit by adopting it as a daily faith practice.

DECLARATION OF FAITH

I Decree and Declare…As THE Covenant-Child of Almighty God…

I Am a Born-Again, Mature Disciple, Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World.

My Sins are Forgiven; My Past is Erased; My Present and Future are Secure in My Savior.

I Have Absolute Trust in God’s Holy Word, God’s Mercy, God’s Grace and God’s Love.

I Cast All My Cares Upon Jesus Christ, Assured of His Constant Provision for Me.

I Am Heaven-Appointed and Highly-Anointed for My Kingdom Assignment in the Earth.

I Am Filled with the Power of The Holy Spirit and Endowed with The Fruit of The Spirit.

The Gifts of The Spirit Flow Freely in My Life, According to God’s Purpose and Plan.

I Am Seated Together with Christ in Heaven: My God-Given Heritage and Eternal Home.

I Receive a Daily and Deeper Revelation of God’s Perfect Will and Unchanging Word.

My All-Wise Creator Has Highly Favored Me and Blessed All The Works of My Hands.

My Family Members, Near and Far, Are Divinely Safeguarded, Strengthened and Blessed.

My Territory is Enlarged – My Finances are Increased – And I Am a Blessing to Others.

I Am Always The Head, and Never The Tail; I Am Always Above, and Never Beneath.

I Am a Lender, Not a Borrower; I Am Blessed as I Go Out, and Blessed as I Come In.

My Body Temple is Fully Energized, Healthy, and Healed of Chronic and Acute Diseases.

My Mind and My Memory are Sharp and Clear, Free from Impairment, Confusion, or Loss.

I Am an Ambassador for Christ; I Am a Living Witness of the Wonder of His Atoning Grace.

I Am True to My Calling; I Am Steadfast and Faithful; I Shall Serve and Honor God’s Kingdom.

My Faith in Our Lord Shall Never Decrease, But Always Increase, Hour-By-Hour, Day-By-Day.

I Am Bountifully Blessed in My Lifetime – And in Eternity, My Savior Will Say: “Well Done!”

AMEN!  AMEN!  AMEN!

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

WISE FRIENDS

WISE FRIENDS

King Solomon penned sage advice for all to live by.  In his memorable words, “He who walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20) Today’s key question to ponder is simply this: DO YOUR CLOSEST ASSOCIATES BRING HELP OR HARM INTO YOUR LIFE?  Consider the story of the powerful king who unwisely chose a monkey as his dearest companion and friend.

In a distant land, there was a king who had a monkey that was not only his pet; he was indeed his best friend. The king loved that monkey very much, so he fed him scrumptious fruits from the royal orchards and dressed him in the finest garments in the land.

In fact, the king trusted his monkey friend so much that he decided to make him his personal guard.  That way, he would have his good friend alongside at all times.  Once this decision was made, the king took his monkey friend everywhere, from the battleground to the court, and on every royal journey throughout the kingdom.

The monkey apparently loved the king with the same degree of intensity and was most delighted and proud to have been appointed as his personal guard.  He resolved to carry out his duties with utmost energy and devotion.  While the king slept, it was his monkey friend’s job to guard the royal bed chambers.  He would faithfully see to it that nothing would disturb the king from getting much needed rest.  He even fanned the king to maximize his comfort while he slept.

Daily, the royal bed chambers were bedecked with a variety of gorgeous and fragrant flowers.  Attracted by the alluring aroma of these flowers, a rather determined bee buzzed in through an open window while the king took his royal nap.  As was his custom, the monkey sat by the king’s bed, carefully protecting and fanning him.  Once the diligent monkey spotted the intrusive bee, he tried to chase it away by using his fan. But the bee lingered tenaciously, buzzing dangerously close to the king’s face.

After continuous efforts to discharge the bee, the monkey became rather angry.  At that moment, the bee settled itself on the king’s forehead.  By now, the monkey was totally outraged.  Caught up in his devoted zeal to protect the king, the monkey drew the king’s sword which had been laid on a nearby table.  He hoisted the sword high in the air to strike down the bee that now rested on the king’s forehead.  Alas, the unwise friend and appointed protector split the royal head in two, bringing on the king’s untimely demise.

Think.  We are not only known by the company we keep, our eternal destiny is directly impacted (for better or worse) by those with whom we closely associate.  What does your selection of friends reveal about your wisdom and your character, or lack of the same?  And how will those choices ultimately affect your God-ordained purpose, dreams and destiny?  Could there be a dangerous ‘monkey’ inside your chamber?

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

THE FEAR PRISON

THE FEAR PRISON

Now hear this!  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7)

When you truly ‘see’ the world around you through the open eyes of discernment, you soon observe that so many of the people whom you encounter daily are loaded down with a weighty and agonizing burden of FEAR.  The scriptures reveal that “fear involves torment.” (I John 4:18, NKJV) To wit, the majority of people around us are literally tormented (daily) by satanic attacks of fear.  Their negative self-talk includes such statements as:  ‘I’m not good enough.’ (or) ‘I will fail.’ (or) ‘Nobody likes me.’ (or) ‘They won’t accept or appreciate me.’

Truthfully, WE LIMIT AND JUDGE OURSELVES on a lower and harsher plain than how MOST PEOPLE ACTUALLY FEEL about who we are, what we do, or what we will become.  It’s a vicious cycle that perpetuates self-doubt and ultimately ends in defeat.

My friend, stop imprisoning your life and your potential in a self-constructed chamber of fear.  STOP TODAY…STOP NOW!

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 HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part V)

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part V)

When twelve disciples were dispatched by our Lord from one shoreline to another, Peter had no way of knowing that before the night ended he would literally go where no man had gone before.  While these twelve boat-boys huddled haplessly in desperation and fear, deadly winds, deep waters and devastating waves dashed against their vessel, threatening to overflow and sink them.  Peter had no clue that in just a few moments HE WOULD BE WALKING OUTSIDE THE BOAT…first confronting, then conquering crazy circumstances, literally striding along on top of terrifying waves!  Isn’t it just like GOD to transform our times of anxiety and anguish into opportunities to demonstrate that HIS POWER IS ON DISPLAY IN US?  What an awesome God!  I say it often: God is always up to something behind the scenes! 

Let’s revisit a pertinent portion of the scriptural passage for this devotional series: “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come.  And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” (Matthew 14:25-32)

Some are prone to criticize Peter for failure to sustain that miraculous water walk.  My response to the critics is simply this: ‘Who among us can testify personally to having walked on water, like Peter?’  To be candid, most of us (myself included) would never have requested to exit that boat in the first place – especially in light of the horrifying sea experiences those disciples had been navigating – all in complete darkness!  A careful reading of this passage informs us that the storm was not abated until AFTER Jesus and Peter entered the boat together.  Think about it.  Peter had such great faith that he volunteered to head out INTO THE STORM, just to be in close proximity with Jesus!  Wow!  Skeptics suggest that Peter was only able to do this because JESUS WAS THERE.  My response to every shore-hugging-skeptic comes in the form of two key questions: (1) When you and I are HESITANT or REFUSE to launch out into the deep and fulfill our purpose and destiny, ISN’T GOD ALWAYS THERE?  (2) And any time we garner sufficient faith to move ahead and launch out (despite momentary setbacks), ISN’T GOD ALWAYS THERE?  We call Him JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH because “THE LORD IS THERE!” (Ezekiel 48:35)

Nevertheless, all of us would have gazed LONG AND HARD at the water BEFORE we got out of that boat, and most of us would fail to ever disembark.  In other words, we have the tendency to become psychologically and spiritually frozen – trapped in the paralysis of analysis – STUCK IN PLACE for days, or even decades.  Might I make a suggestion to ALL, myself included?  What we really need is A NEW ATTITUDE!  Please don’t judge me for highlighting a secular song, but years ago I listened to Patti LaBelle singing about “a new attitude.”  The lyrics went something like this: “I’m feeling good from my head to my shoes.  I know where I’m going, and I know what to do.  I’ve tidied up my point of view.  I’ve got a new attitude!”  Finishing with her uniquely stylish flair, Pattie crooned “OO-OO-OO-OO…I’VE GOT A NEW ATTITUDE!”

Sisters and brothers, I dare you (and me) to STEP OUT OF YOUR BOAT at the command of OUR Lord!  If we should somehow falter along the way, JEHOVAH SHAMMAH IS THERE for a rapid rescue; we only need to CALL HIS NAME!  The Word reveals that when Jesus and Peter finally came into the ship, the wind ceased.  I dare you to invite JESUS onboard your vessel; conditions will instantaneously change!  In the presence of His demonstrated power over their storm, the twelve disciples gathered around to worship the Son of the Living God.  And with JESUS on board, they sailed forward with strength, security, sensibility, stability and success.  

This scripture passage ends with a simple status report: “And when they were gone over, they came unto the land of GENNESARET.”  That name literally means “a garden of riches.”  Jesus knew the character and content of the place He had dispatched them to, but He also knew that their faith would be enhanced by encountering difficult challenges along the way.  GENNESARET was simply a divine appointment awaiting fulfillment.  Wherever God guides, God provides.  Therefore, if JESUS ever sends you anywhere…JUST GO…because HE has GREAT EXPECTATIONS THERE for your service and success.  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

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 HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part IV)

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part IV)

Since Spirit-filled believers are endowed by OUR SOURCE with deeper understanding of situational times and seasons, we never need worry or stress about OUR RESOURCES.  OUR TIMES AND SEASONS are faithfully committed to (and controlled by) the LOVING AND SUSTAINING HANDS OF GOD.  So even while life-circumstances ‘appear’ to be dead or dying, the all-wise God has preordained ultimate victory and success.  According to Jude, HE is “the only wise God” and HE is to be accorded “glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.” (Jude 1:25) ONLY GOD knows the end from the beginning, and for that reason alone, we confidently commit total trust in HIM.  

Kingdom Principle Number Six: APPEARANCES NOTWITHSTANDING, THE ALL-WISE GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL!  Daniel gave an insightful praise report on the wisdom and power of God.  “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: and HE CHANGES THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: HE REVEALS THE DEEP AND SECRET THINGS: He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)

This scripture passage suggests that any believer who operates out of reverential fear of God becomes a blessed benefactor of SECRET KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM.  The Psalmist David penned two closely related revelations concerning this.  First, he wrote “The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of WISDOM.” (Psalm 111:10) And then, David revealed the direct result of such a reverential fear: “The SECRET OF THE LORD is with them that FEAR HIM; and HE WILL SHOW THEM HIS COVENANT.” (Psalm 25:14) As believers, we have a covenant relationship with God.  Never forget: GOD is a PROMISE KEEPER!  Every day, we walk hand-in-hand with THE ALL-SUFFICIENT ONE (who has already ordered and walked out our steps), so why should we worry?  Think about it.

This brings to mind our granddaughter, Sydney, who at the approximate age of five was fully capable of navigating stairs alone, but whenever Sydney was near me, she would always reach for my hand.  It was her way of feeling safe and secure – since she apparently believed that her ‘Pop-Pop’ would never let her fall.  Isn’t this an instructive lesson for us (believers) who should invest total trust and confidence in the hands of ‘Abba-Father’ to guide our way through challenging circumstances?  If we would only stop to reflect on the power of God, we would realize that our anxieties surface for no good reasons at all.  The seemingly major issues we encounter are minor matters to the Creator of Heaven and earth!  Too often, we doubt whether God will bring all His promises to pass.  The clock seems so fast, and our progress seems so slow.  One insight from yesterday’s devotional bears repeating: “Stop fuming, fretting and fussing about what TIME it is…GOD KNOWS YOUR SEASON!”

That is why the twelve disciples should never have surrendered to doubt and fear.  The ‘place’ they occupied and the ‘problem’ they experienced were directly connected to the ‘command’ of Christ, and therefore subject to the awesome power of The Living Lord.  So, when TROUBLE showed up – JESUS showed up!  

Kingdom Principle Number Seven: GOD IS OUR PRESENT HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. (Psalm 46:1) Let’s look briefly at the text again.  “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night JESUS went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, BE OF GOOD CHEER; IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID.” (Matthew 14:24-27)

Kingdom Principle Number Eight: WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, DON’T DOUBT HIM.  Our Lord really knows how to make a grand entrance, doesn’t He?  Jesus is not only a water-walker; JESUS IS A WAVE-WALKER!  Be assured that there are NO tempestuous waves…NO life-circumstances…that are too hard or too heavy for Him to bear.  Take a mental snapshot of that stormy night on the sea.  The drama and noise of that night were literally off-the-chain!  Howling winds…tempestuous waves…fearful disciples crying out…it was loud and noisy beyond belief.  But the Lord of Heaven and earth strolled by (atop the wave caps) and whispered a Word of now-faith to those fearful boys in the boat: “BE OF GOOD CHEER…IT IS I…BE NOT AFRAID.”  

Sisters and brothers, I have noticed something similar in my own life.  Whenever my ‘boat’ tacks perilously close to troubled waters, somehow over the background noise of my personal storm, I can tune in to His calming voice speaking soothingly to my spirit: ‘Don’t worry…don’t be afraid.’  As one gospel hymn composer penned, whenever JESUS SPEAKS, “the sound of HIS VOICE is so sweet that the birds hush their singing!”   In tempestuous times like these…He still walks with me…and He talks with me…and He tells me I am His own!  David said it even better: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3) Amen!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

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 HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part III)

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part III)

Wisdom dictates that, along this voyage called life, we anticipate and prepare for the unexpected.  In other words, LIFE HAPPENS.  Regardless of how seaworthy or stable your vessel might be, sooner or later challenging life-circumstances will appear on the horizon to rock your boat!  Sailors call them rogue waves.  They roll through at any moment, even in the calmest of seas; and their intensity and magnitude potentially disturbs or damages the best-of-the-best ships in any fleet.

However, never worry about rogue waves.  Since they are completely out of your control, you might as well relax and enjoy the ride.  Right?  Some choose to pass their days in a mindset riddled with paralyzing fear, high anxiety, or quiet desperation.  True believers choose balanced living, replete with peace and tranquility. The prophet Isaiah certainly understood God’s sovereignty and unending care for His children.  He wrote: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Kingdom Principle Number Three: GOD IS OUR SOURCE!  In financially troubled times, we are tempted to stress over our RESOURCES, instead of focusing attention on THE SOURCE.  “The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1) This means that despite any losses, of jobs, cars, homes, or even friends, Christ’s disciples recognize that these are mere RESOURCES.  If we don’t lose THE SOURCE, we will find shelter and security during our most vehement storms.  Unquestionably, “the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

It bears repetition: STOP WORRYING ABOUT RESOURCES!  Do you know who you are?  YOU are the “blessed man” (a truth that is gender-neutral) described in Psalm 1.  Since you consistently delight and meditate in the law of the Lord, your Creator declares this about you: “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3) Allow me to share a powerful revelation with you – an encouraging truth the Lord deposited in me years ago.  Listen with your spirit.  Most of the things you have LOST are not FRUIT; they are just LEAVES.  And leaves were created to serve a very TEMPORARY FUNCTION – and then those leaves will inevitably fall off!

Kingdom Principle Number Four: LEAVES WILL LEAVE!  You need to declare this liberating Rhema aloud.  Say it: “LEAVES WILL LEAVE!”  But Jesus said, “I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ORDAINED YOU, that ye should go and bring forth FRUIT, and that your FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN.” (John 15:16) As long as we are “ROOTED and GROUNDED in LOVE” [God is love, Ephesians 3:17], we will never again worry about lost LEAVES.  As long as we abide in Him, Christ declares that we will bring forth “MUCH FRUIT!” (John 12:24) Always remember this: TREES ONLY ‘LOOK’ DEAD during winter.  And typically, fruit does not fully manifest during winter.  God says a blessed man will “bring forth his fruit IN HIS SEASON.” (Psalm 1:3) So stop fuming, fretting and fussing about what TIME it is…GOD KNOWS YOUR SEASON…and you WILL produce!

Understand this: Your winter season is analogous to your private ship sailing far away from shore.  What is the spiritual message in this?  God is simply saying, ‘Your ship has not YET come in’…but it WILL…if you learn how to WAIT (proactive waiting), with faith, fortitude, courage and consistency!’  The winter season of your natural or spiritual life is quite similar to the foreboding circumstances in which Christ’s twelve disciples found themselves.  They were far out “in the midst of the sea” (Matthew 14:24), and their remote location precluded help or hope as stormy conditions circumscribed their ship.  They felt alone, victimized by contrary winds and tossing waves.  Ironically, JESUS was close by.  Indeed, HE is “a very present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear.” (Psalm 46:1-2)

Kingdom Principle Number Five: YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM…YOU ARE A VICTOR!  Due to very dangerous and troubled waters, those disciples did FEEL seasick and heartsick – partly because these events occurred during “the fourth watch of the night” while they were enveloped in pitch-black darkness.  The disciples could see nothing!  Light was absolutely unavailable; the sun had long since set; the moon and stars were hiding in the obscurity of ominous clouds.  Their sails had been trimmed, and they were rocking, rolling and reeling in the middle of the sea, totally at the mercy of terrifying currents and horrific winds.

NEVERTHELESS…in their moment of deepest despair, along came JESUS CHRIST…the Author and Finisher of their fleeting, fading and failing faith!  Along came JESUS CHRIST, walking calmly over raging seas, through howling tempests!  Along came JESUS CHRIST on His life-or-death rescue mission, because (from a distance) He had heard the hapless cries of His children.  My friend, do not succumb to anxiety or fear.  JESUS CHRIST has already heard YOUR CRY, and help is on the way!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

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 HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part II)

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part II)

Your faith-walk involves a PROCESS which arguably seldom involves instantaneous results.  That’s why Jesus Christ declares “in your PATIENCE possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19) Patience may be defined as the elapsed time between earth’s cry and heaven’s response.  Although Jesus hastened forthwith to lift ‘Water-Walking-Peter’ from troubled seas, perhaps (to the despairing sinker) it felt more like an eternity, while he was trapped in a terrifying moment of anguish and anxiety.  Nevertheless, despite any notion to the contrary in our human perspective, we serve a GOD who always shows up on time to transform tragedy into triumph. That’s why we wait (expectantly) on Him.  David declared, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

When Jesus issued the directive, ‘Get in the ship and go on to the other side,’ His disciples never hesitated. Hesitation is the equivalent of doubt.  They did not delay because numerous prior experiences produced a knowledgeable confidence that it was reasonable and right to invest total trust in THE MASTER.  What they did not know is that divine directives require both risk and sacrifice.  Nevertheless, our God clearly comforts us ahead of any testing times: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when you walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:2)  

However, after our initial call, with its subsequent and inevitable challenges, it is tempting to question whether we were ACTUALLY called by God, especially when we stand face-to-face with tenacious troubles. Our thoughts go something like this: ‘Lord, did you REALLY say we should get in the ship and go to the other side?  Was that YOU, or was that just our imagination working overtime?’  But since the Holy Spirit is a Comforter, He always breathes soothing and stabilizing Words of life into our spirits.  So, after Peter’s trial-by-water, he nailed it and later penned these insights: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.” (I Peter 5:10) My friends, YOU WILL make it through the storm; your perspective will change, and your faith will be strengthened.  The mere fact that you may experience danger or detours along your journey does not invalidate or nullify the original call of God.

Faith in God’s eternal Word ultimately produces fulfillment in the context of time.  But here’s the rub: We don’t know the precise ‘WHEN’ of God’s timing; which is to say that our CHRONOS is never intimately acquainted or precisely synchronized with God’s KAIROS.  Stated more simply and in the vernacular…‘God’s timing ain’t ours!’  In our foundational scripture (Matthew 14:22-34), there is what I call a ‘frustration gap’ between verse 22 and verse 34.  Jesus says “GO” in verse 22, and the disciples finally “LAND” in verse 34.  To wit, it’s the IN-BETWEEN-STUFF that is the real trial of our faith.  I smile at myself whenever I testify confidently and enthusiastically (after the fact) with the 20/20 vision of hindsight.  But the truth is that there are times WHILE I’m passing through troubled waters when I’m not sensing any real measure of victory.

There are several Kingdom principles in this scriptural passage that should be highlighted.  

Kingdom Principle Number One: When Jesus issued the command to cross over, He went up onto the mountain to pray.  This was surely a TARGETED PRAYER, with the express purpose of undergirding the disciples for whatever challenges they would confront while obeying Christ’s command.  I love the fact that JESUS CHRIST yet serves as our INTERCESSORY HIGH PRIEST!  Hebrews 4:14-15 informs and inspires us: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  I Timothy 2:5 confirms this fact: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”  His High Priestly function positions Him as our effective advocate, so why should we worry?  Think about it.  Jesus strongly advises against anxiety of any stripe, since Our Father is the Supplier of ALL we will ever need. (Matthew 6:25-32 and Philippians 4:19) Never forget, G--O--D HAS OUR BACKS!

The next Kingdom principle is found in verse 24.  

Kingdom Principle Number Two: When we decide to launch-out-into-the-deep, our obedience becomeS a moment-of-manifestation, ALBEIT VIA buffeting waves and contrary winds.  One of my friends is an excellent sailor, and he tells me that every proficient sailor lives in expectation of robust and hearty winds.  Indeed, smooth and polished seas are a death-knell to sailing forward with power.  Sisters and brothers, contrary winds do not come to break you; they show up for the express purpose of MAKING YOU, i.e. mobilizing you to GO and GROW!  God reconfigures tempestuous winds, divinely transforming them into gusts of dunamis (vigorous spiritual power) to move you forward with passion and purpose.  So, stop cursing any prevailing winds, and start blessing them via fervent prayer and faith-filled praise. (James 5:16) These are the unseen and unexpected vehicles that carry you THROUGH your tests and INTO your destiny.  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

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