Are You On Top?

Psalm 30:6-7

 

 

6Now in my prosperity I said, "I shall never be moved." 7Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled.

 

Psalm 30 is called "The Blessedness of Answered Prayer." The NKJV Study Bible says it is a dedication of the house of David. It cannot be taken for granted that God answers prayer. What if God didn't answer you? Where would you be? David specifically said  "now in my prosperity I said I shall never be moved." When you are top you profess a lot of things. When you have it all, you profess a lot of things. But what about when the storm comes? In Proverbs the Word says that one who trusts in his riches will fall. Why? Number one because the Word says riches are fleeting and like a bird, they sprout wings and fly away. You can't always buy your way out of something.  Only God has the power and authority to save. God determines how long your days shall last. And the Word talks about the one who is strong until adversity comes has little faith. Again, when you are on top, it is easy to say how much faith you have. But where is your faith when trouble arises? David admitted that whatever he had, God did it. And he also admitted that the moment trouble came, he was troubled because it felt as though the Lord hid his face. David fell very ill but when his prayer was answered he was grateful. Many know of the last portion of verse 5. "Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning." Get Your JOY In The Morning is actually based from Psalm 30. But the entirety of verse 5 is what is important. His anger is but for a moment. And yes, God can get angry. Favor is mentioned twice between verses 5-7. Anything you and I have is because of the Lord's favor. And for me, verse 5 is personal. Because I wept a lot during my near death experience. I cried out before the Lord on my knees begging and pleading for my life. But just like David, I knew that I had not done right before the Lord and wanted a second chance and needed Him not to turn His face from me. See, the JOY in the title of the devotionals stands for Jesus On You because it is He and only He that brought me through. And it was His desire for the Word to go forth. The Word says that the joy of the Lord is your strength. The Word says to delight in the joy of His salvation. Seeking the joy that comes from knowing the Lord keeps you sane when things get insane. Are you on top? Do you know that what you have is because of the Lord's favor? Have you ever hit a storm? Where was your faith in that storm? Have you ever wept through a storm? Did it seem like God hid his face from you?

The Second Coming

Luke 17:36

 

36Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.

 

I had been studying the scriptures yesterday morning and later shared with a co-worker. The Lord wouldn't let this rest in my spirit until it was written.  Jesus talked about the coming kingdom. He talked about the separation between the righteous and the unrighteous at His return as the NKJV Study Bible explains. Remember Jesus told the disciples He would come back for His sheep. Some may think this is just another parable because Jesus taught in parables. However, if you go back to Genesis, you will find that a man was taken up by God while still alive, Enoch. Enoch was a righteous man and "walked with God" as the scripture says. Enoch did not have to suffer physical death before going to be with God. The same is true of the great prophet Elijah. He also "walked with God." Elisha witnessed Elijah being taken up to God. He received a double portion of Elijah's anointing/mantle which he asked for because God allowed him to be present when Elijah was taken.

 

I recall the first time I became acutely aware of 1Corinthians 15. It was during the eulogy for my great grandmother in March 1999. I knew her death was coming because God showed me something different about the dream I had regarding her. I warned my mom that her death was coming. See, grandma was a very resilient woman. She survived so much including being shot, several strokes, one of which I witnessed and a host of illnesses. But something was different in my spirit. I had been to other memorial services before but it was the first time I was not overtaken by grief so much that I could not receive the message. God's warning to me gave me time to be at peace. In 1Corinthians there is a verse that says, "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." It is often heard or referenced during many eulogies. Sleep in the context of this scripture means death. That's right, not everyone will have to see death before meeting the Lord. So again, this go back to the scripture above. Jesus said there would be many signs that time was nearing.  "The change" referred to in 1Corinthians references the righteousness His people will be clothed with. The apostle Paul talks of how we cannot see God face to face in the flesh that we are in so we must see Him in our "incorruptible" selves. In the book of Mark, Jesus was transfigured or changed into His pure form while meeting with Moses and Elijah, the great prophets who had gone to be with the Lord. Moses had died in order to go be with the Lord but Elijah had not. Remember Jesus had to die a physical death for our sakes but arose again and walked the earth then was taken up to be with the Lord. They were each preparing Him for what He had to face. Peter, James and John again were witnesses to this awesome moment.

 

Yes, this is deep and a lot of information but the belief as followers of Christ is not a fairytale and not to be taken lightly. Let your yes be your yes as Jesus said. Be who you claim to be in Him and follow Christ if you have already said yes. Did you say yes to making Him Lord of your life? If you are not a follower of Christ, do you desire to be saved?

His Strength

Psalm 21:1

 

21The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

 

King David wrote the psalm on the "joy in the salvation of the Lord." How powerful is it for a man to rule over an entire kingdom? Many would be beside themselves with arrogance with such a position. Some would let it go to their heads a little bit too much. My pastor calls it "the watermelon or balloon head." But a man who ruled over an entire kingdom realized the strength of his body was nothing compared to the strength of the Lord. The NKJV Study Bible gives the translation, "the triumph of faith is portrayed." David had a lot of authority as a king but what he had was still no match for the Lord. Delighting in the Lord's strength to overcome battles, illness, enemies and even "frenemies" (those who pretend to be your friend but do not like or truly respect you). David took joy in knowing no matter what he may suffer temporarily, the Lord still had the victory. The translation of the verses talks of how Jesus uttered a psalm of victory in Matthew 27 which we went over before in, "Victory Song." David too had a victory song. His victory song consisted of joy.

 

Are you recognizing His strength is greater than yours? Are you recognizing that only the Lord can fight your battles? Are you recognizing the joy in having faith in Him?

GOD Still Gets the Victory

Matthew 26:56

 

56But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

 

All week long I have been listening to Wess Morgan's version of "You Paid It All" and even watching the YouTube video.  I was watching it with the remembrance that Jesus knows what it means to be betrayed. Jesus knows what it means to be left utterly alone. I know I have referenced the life altering dream I had in November 1991 just one month after I became a baptized believer in Jesus Christ. I was sixteen and had not been raised in "the church." I believed in God long before I gave my life to Christ but I was not raised as a devout follower of Christ to forsake the ways of the world. The ticking clock on the wall that kept being inserted throughout the dream, standing on the far side at the top of a city watching the midnight black sky and young people destroying themselves and dead bodies of youth lining the city skyline and a voice saying with great arrogance, "you cannot save them all" and the ride I was on where I was utterly alone, no family and no friends on the way to my death is something hard to forget. I remember awaking with such fright that put a Bible underneath my pillow the way my late grandmother used to do. Not understanding at the time that just having the Bible present wasn't enough but I had to speak the Word over myself and the fear I felt. At the time, the enemy of my soul knew something about a call on my life and purpose I had no knowledge of yet.

 

I know what betrayal feels like because I have experienced it more times then I care to count. And I am not just talking about from the perspective of abuse. As you walk into your purpose in life, you begin to understand that people you thought understood where you are going and what you are doing actually cannot see all that God has shown you and even if they can, their belief in you to carry out what God has shown you becomes the defining moment as to whether they stay by your side or leave. Up until recently, I had not listened to Bishop T.D. Jakes entire sermon on "the gift of goodbye." It's actually very powerful with the premise that some people in your life are not meant to stay and it's not they have done anything wrong, it is just their time in your life is complete. Yet, the sermon still does not negate the episodes of betrayal that lead to goodbye. When I FINALLY realized that God wanted me to turn the daily devotionals into a book, it was August 2009. The person that was to be a conduit to assist me was short lived. We would both take separate paths to complete what God gave us. Rejection led them going to the path of self-publishing. God said, He had a different path for me. I was heckled for following the path God directed to me because of the fear of rejection. God told me I would know by the end of 2009 who my publisher would be. God is not a man that He should lie as the Word says. He showed me things that person could not tell me and it angered them to the point that it was posted on my wall on Facebook in a tone that God showed me was not sincere. Comments were constantly made to me and they attempted to discredit what God told me. Trust me, after having a near death experience in 2008, I had to learn very quickly that listening to God is ALWAYS in my best interest because He says what I cannot see. As the book was released in 2011, their comments faded and slowly and then we drifted to the pointed that we would no longer speak. They had no idea that I was supporting their book and sending their information to others because the topic was of importance. Eventually God separated us completely. I wished them well. And then God sent to me five people for me to help. I did not search for them. But they were hungry and they knew they had a passion deep within them to complete something bigger than them. I appreciate now all that God has done in ways I cannot explain. As the word says, He uses everything for our good. So I BLESS GOD even for the episodes of betrayal. Because God still gets the victory.

Speak Up

Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

 

The apostles Peter and John had been arrested for speaking the name of Jesus in the Jewish temple as well as laying hands on a man and healing him in the name of Jesus. Peter and John confessed they could only speak of what they have seen and heard. A few questions for you. When you see a good movie what do you do? You tell someone right? When you eat at a great restaurant what do you do? You tell someone right? When you read a great book what do you do? You tell someone right? You become a spokesman or walking promotion for that product or service. Jesus utilized the power of word of mouth during His earthly ministry and in the "Great Commission" He said we are to do the same.  So then why do so many people become "closet Christians?" Many only talk about Jesus on Sunday morning or when they are in trouble. Peter and John were so excited about Jesus they couldn't wait to share with everyone they knew. The woman at the well did the same thing when she met Jesus. I came into an environment and met a young man who was Muslim. But he was so inspired by a young woman who was a follower of Christ that he kept a scripture she gave him and was moved by her going to do full time missionary work. That's impact. Or for me, coming across another Muslim man who said he loves to help people and knows I do volunteer work. He said to let him know because he wants to be involved. Guess what? I have made it no secret that I am a follower of Christ. Inspiring people with your testimony of what Christ had done for you is what draws others to want to know Him. When you help others in the name of Jesus, it too draws others to Him. Being a closet Christian does nothing for anyone, including you. When you are a closet Christian, you actually keep the praises to the Lord hidden when they ought to be heard. Your life is to be a living testimony, word of mouth promotion as to who Christ is. If it isn't, then do you not believe that Christ has done anything for you?  Do you not believe that Christ sacrificed for you? Do you not believe that He is worthy of the praise? I am not saying to force anything. But when you are led by the Holy Spirit to speak up, speak up. Don't let your faith be in vain. The opportunity to know Jesus and for salvation is available to everyone not just you.

In Your Spirit

Proverbs 25:28

 

28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.

 

What does a broken down city look like? What does a city with no walls look like? A broken down city has many buildings that have crumbled. It's infrastructure is no good. And there are no walls to protect outsiders from taking it over. That's exactly what it's like when you are not careful as to who or what has control over your spirit. You know that eyes and ears are gates into your mind and heart. Your eyes and ears are your walls. What do you take in? What do you listen to and what do you watch? If you are not careful about how you entertain yourself, you may find yourself saying and doing things that are not advantageous to you and harmful to others. Are you taking counsel from the wrong type of people? Those you associate with will influence your thought patterns. You may find yourself saying the same things or doing the same things. Do you listen to music that degrades women and glorifies mistreating them? What do you think you will eventually start thinking, speaking and doing? Do you listen to music or watch shows that talks about using men to get what you want or that men are no good? What do you think you will start thinking, speaking and doing? You will begin thinking that way about men and attempting to misuse them. All the while, you are creating a nasty cycle of your thought pattern causing your reality. Not only has your spirit been taken over but you have been the perpetrator of your own unhappy life. Are you watching a bunch of pornographic shows or spending your time in strip clubs (both men and women)? And you wonder why you have become a sex addict that cannot stay committed. You not only put your body at risk for diseases but also in the spirit because you take on the characteristics of the people you sleep with. A confused person who sleeps with a confused person creates another confused person. That's why God reserved sex for a married couple, a couple that He has joined together.  What you listen to, what you watch, what you think and what you do affects your spirit. Remember Jesus said that what comes out of a man's mouth is what is in his heart. And to know a person by their fruit. If your fruit demonstrates that you are out of control then the source can be traced back to what you've been swallowing in your spirit.

Are You Willing?

Matthew 10:1

 

1And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

 

Jesus knew the mission God the Father gave Him needed to continue on earth after He ascension to heaven. So very early in the mission he chose twelve to do so. Jesus used mass duplication which is very effective in leadership.  Not all of the original twelve would carry out the mission. Jesus took people with various backgrounds. Jesus even took a tax collector, called Matthew. Tax collectors were not well liked and were often considered crooks. God can use anyone! Peter, who would later build the church, had a nasty temper. So much so that he cut off the ear of one of the guards that arrested Jesus. But God can use anyone! The sons of Zebedee, James and John were very ambitious to the point of self-centeredness. But God can use anyone! Jesus took the weaknesses of these twelve and still utilized them for God's glory. Yes, He continued to prune those weaknesses in time. But none of the twelve would be considered 'perfect enough' to sit at the feet of Jesus. That's just it though! None of us are but by His grace and mercy. Verse two lists out the disciples. It's not that Jesus didn't use all twelve because He did. He even used Judas that would betray Him. God uses everything to "work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." Judas' greed still played a part in Jesus being glorified.  But have you noticed anything in scripture? Who was present during the transfiguration? Who walked on the water with Jesus? Who was present when Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane? Who did Jesus say would be the rock? In all four major cases, one or all of the three were present: Simon Peter, James and John ( the sons of Zebedee). Peter was to build the church so it makes sense that He would be much closer to Jesus. But remember, James and John came to Jesus saying they wanted to sit at His right hand. So they had a chance to have more personal time with Jesus. Those who spend more personal time with Jesus will be used by Jesus to the fullest. Those who are willing will be used by Jesus to the fullest and those whom He has chosen will be used to the fullest by Jesus. Yes, everyone can be used by Jesus but those who are willing, the Lord will show them even greater things. Are you willing?