Unbolt The Door To Your Heart

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  • Believe Your Prayer Has Been Answered

    Asking God, Believing God, Praising God!

    “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit”. 2 Kings 2:9 NIV

    “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt” James 1:6 NIV

    “Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army” 2 Chronicles 20: 21 NIV

    Some may wonder what these verses have in common or why did I put them in the same discussion?

    Let’s look at them individually and then tie them together.

    In 1 Kings 19:16 we are told that God has told Elijah that he needs to anoint Elisha to become the next prophet. Elijah went and put his cloak around Elisha, who left everything, and became Elijah’s attendant.

    The Story then picks up in 2 Kings chapter 2 where we are told that God is about to take Elijah to heaven in a dramatic pickup event. Elijah was not just going to disappear. There was not going to be a question about what had happened. In fact, we are told that God had already told the prophets of Bethel and Jericho that this was going to happen today.

    “The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” 2 Kings 2:3 NIV

    “The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” 2 Kings 2:5 NIV

    This taking of Elijah was not going to be a secret and there was a very good reason God wanted all the prophets to see and know about it.

    The reasons God told the other prophets about Elijah going to heaven and doing it in a dramatic fashion and then seeing the cloak falling from Elijha to Elisha, was so no young upstart of a prophet would get the idea that they were the next anointed prophet from God.

    Before Elijah was going to be taken, he asked Elisha, “what can I do for you before I am taken from you?’ Elisha responds with a request, “let me inherit a double portion of your spirit”. Elijha responds that this is too difficult for him to do and that if Elisha sees him taken up it would be Elisha’s.  Signifying that it was in God’s hand to answer that request.

    You see, in those days the first-born son always got a double portion of the estate so that the other children would know who the head of the family was after the father passed away. Elisha wanted to receive the double portion so that all the prophets would know that God had picked him to follow Elijah.

    We know that God answered that request.  Your bible records that Elijah performed fourteen miracles and Elisha performed twenty-eight miracles. A double portion!

    In the first chapter of James, the author tells us that when we request anything from God, we are to believe that God has already answered the request.  We are not to doubt for one second about the answer. We are to step out in faith from that moment on in total belief that the miracle is performed. Not acting like it may happen but believing that it has happened.  There is a big difference.  

    In 2 Chronicles chapter 20 we are told that a vast army had formed against Jehoshaphat and the kingdom of Judah. Jehoshaphat called on all the people of Juday to fast for three days and inquire of the Lord.  Then we are told that Jehoshaphat was told that the battle was not his battle but that it was God’s battle. Jehoshaphat was to march down against this large army the next morning. 

    To show that Jehoshaphat believed that the battle was God’s he put the choir and band out in front of the army and had them sing the victory song on the way to the battle. They were praising God for the victory before they ever got to the battlefield. They did not wait to see if God provided a victory, they believed and sang at the top of their lungs about the victory. The second they started praising the Lord, He set ambushes up and the whole enemy army was wiped out. The only thing the people of Judah had to do was pick up the spoils.

    Ask God, Believe in God, Praise God before the answer and victory! 

    God loves when you ask for the impossible. “Double Portion”. God loves when you don’t doubt the answer and start singing His praises before you’re done asking your request.

     “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”. Ephesians 3: 20 NIV

    “For with God nothing shall be impossible”. Luke 1:37 KJV

    “Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”. Mark 9:23 KJV

    Where is God when He hears you Praise Him before you get the answer?

    “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel”. Psalms 22:3 KJV

    Praise creates a spiritual environment where His presence dwells. When you praise, God says “there is a heart that I can live in” and He sees that the door is open for His presence.

    Praising God before seeing an answer redirects attention away from anxiety, worry, and your perceived size of the problem, focusing instead on His character, faithfulness, power and Love. Showing God your gratitude for His answer before He gives His answer shows a complete trust in Him and a trust in whatever form the answer may come in.

    Paul and Silas were stripped, severely beaten with rods, and thrown into the inner dungeon, their feet locked in heavy stocks for preaching the gospel. We find no bible verses where either of these two men prayed for deliverance from imprisonment or for God to take away the pain they were in.

    They just started singing the praises of God and how great He was. How did God show His excitement about this praise?  An earthquake rocked everyone’s world and ripped the chains off their feet and everyone’s feet. Yet Paul and Silas never moved a muscle to run out of the open doors.  God had other plans for their praises.  The prison warden and his family needed saving!   The pain and suffering of Paul and Silas did not save the warden, but their praising of God brought the Holy Spirit into the heart of the warden.

    Ask for the Impossible, Dress like you have received the impossible.  Praise God from the mountain tops, for all to hear, that His answer to your impossible situation has already been provided.

    This world today needs men and women that are walking with an attitude of Praise and Thanksgiving for greatness of their Savior.

    People saw that in Jesus and it drew them to Him.  Are you drawing others to God today with your attitude of praise in all situations?

    Walk in the Faith of your great God and all will be yours.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry 

  • Show God’s Love

    “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you Love one another”. John 13:35 NIV

    What a powerful verse that has not been understood by many Christians.

    Many people were brought up and still believe that the way for people in your community, neighborhood, to see that you are a follower of Christ is by keeping certain religious rules or beliefs and habits.  Certain rules or rituals that you believe are how you show your love for God. If you keep them, people will know that you are a Christian. Then you identify the people that are not keeping the rules that you believe you got from God, as people that are outside of God’s saving grace because they are sinners and you are not.

    Yet Jesus is very clearly telling you and me that the only way to truly be seen as a disciple of Him is to have unconditional love.

    It is a call to identify a follower of Christ not by rules or rituals, but by unconditional love.

    So, let us ask ourselves what unconditional love is?  Well, I am going to give you a definition of unconditional love that I feel God shows me every day.

    “Unconditional love refers to an absolute, limitless affection that is not based on human performance, worthiness, or circumstances and is a constant, unchanging commitment to an individual’s well-being that cannot be earned. That cannot be increased or lost through their mistakes”.

    Now don’t confuse unconditional love with acceptance of behavior. God disciplines those that He loves.  God allows consequences and correction to help you mature, learn and turn away from destructive habits. But this is all done in Love!

    God Loved King David even though he had an affair with Bathsheba and then killed her husband.  There were consequences but God never lost His love for David. God called David a “man after God’s own heart”.  Why? Because David deeply valued God’s presence, sought His will, and possessed a genuine, repentant spirit rather than a life of perfection.

    I do not earn God’s love by going to church on the Sabbath day, by not eating or drinking certain foods, by not working or doing certain things on the Sabbath, or by keeping the ten commandments. 

    I do not lose God’s love by breaking any of the ten commandments or by not living my life like religion tells me I should.  

    Once I understand that I cannot lose or earn God’s Love by my behavior. It makes me Love Him even more!  When I understand what unconditional love God shows me, my love for Him increases. Then and only then do I start to represent God by showing the same love to all mankind.

    God is telling you that this is the only way for others to see a clear reflection of Him is to show unconditional love. Then when they see and feel that unconditional love the hardness of their heart cracks a little bit and the little mustard seed of the Holy Spirit can start to take root in their life.

    Condemning someone for their behavior or lifestyle does not open their heart to the Holy Spirit. Telling someone what they are doing wrong does not change their hearts and show them God.

    People were drawn to Jesus by an unseen force that drew them in. They felt loved and accepted. They were not asked to change any behavior before Jesus loved them.  After eating and drinking and listening to Jesus, He then asked them to go forth and sin no more. They were asked to repent and live a new life of Love only after they saw and experienced how much Jesus loved them.   Jesus tells us in the gospel of John that we can do even greater things that He did.

    “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father”. John 14:12 NIV

    God sent the Holy Spirit to give you fruit for others to eat.  How does that fruit taste to those around you?  Sweet like God’s Love or bitter with condemnation?

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Warning

    “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus”. Acts 3: 19-20 NIV

    In the original Greek, repentance (metanoeo) means to change one’s mind and heart, to think differently and to see things differently.

    Turning to God signifies a complete reorientation of life away from how you were living before repentance.

    Used in the verses above it signifies much more than just saying “I Am Sorry”. It is a heartfelt transformation of your perspective and walk in life. It is an about-face. You must abandon your previous ways, and you have to institute a new walk with God, that is visible for all to see.

    You need to have a much broader sense of what needs to be repented from.  Just not what you may consider a sin.  But how are you living daily? Are you caught up in the ways and habits that the world considers success and happiness?

     Do you consider behavior to be something that gets you into heaven? Are you totally ignoring an intimate relationship with God? You are “religious” and believe in God yet are in the group of people that God says He spits out of His mouth.

     “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”. Revelation 3: 15-16 NIV

    You see the people in these verses are good religious people. To the world they are following God and are living a life or a Christian. Apathy will cause many good people to miss out completely on being in the group of those that are raised up to meet Jesus when He comes again.

    To me this is the life that needs to be repented from and totally walked away from.  Are you on fire for God in every minute of every day? It is not about standing up and preaching or condemning people for their behavior.  God is telling those in the Laodicea churches that if they are not representing His character in every situation and circumstance. Living a life of Love for all. If they are not on “fire” to represent Him in everyday life, then He is going to spit them out of His mouth and then they will be in the group of people that God says He does not know.

    Being “on fire for God” means having an intense, passionate, and active devotion to one’s faith. It describes a believer whose love for God is so all-consuming that it shapes every area of their life, rather than just being a casual, Sabbath only commitment.

    Spiritual Fervor: A strong, visible enthusiasm for prayer, worship, and studying the Bible.

    Boldness: An eagerness to share their faith, serve others, and stand up for their beliefs, even when it’s uncomfortable.

    Transformed Priorities: A conscious shift away from selfish or worldly desires toward living a life that reflects God’s teachings.

    The verse in Revelation is speaking directly to you!  Not to the world of non-believers. God is addressing you in your daily walk of life and telling you that He sees and knows your deeds and He considers them to be lukewarm. You consider yourself well off by worldly standards but to God you are pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

    In Verse 18 of Chapter 3 in Revelation, God gives you three things that you can buy from Him to become on fire for Him.  You must buy these three things!  He is not just giving them out for free. You can not buy these with money or success, church attendance, or good behaviors. 

    You buy them by time spent with God in an intimate relationship.  You buy them from turning from the world and turning towards God.

    You must become His character.

    Prayers for all.

    Larry

  • Everyday Blessings

    Satan got Adam and Eve to focus on one fruit when God had given them a whole garden. That’s how he works.  He gets you to focus on that one thing you do not have instead of all the blessings you do have.

    Why did this happen?  They lost focus on all the bountiful blessings around them. They let an outsider convince them that there was a better way and that they needed something that God had not provided. He convinced them that God was holding out on them, and they deserved to have it.

    We are no better today. Look at your own life. Have you lost focus?  Most have at one time or another

    Is there a difference between what God thinks you need and what you think you need?

    Yes, there is a profound difference. What you think is important usually revolves around temporary circumstances, money in the bank, a bigger house, more comfort, and immediate success. Am I keeping up with what society says is success? I would be happier if I had this or that.

     What God thinks you need centers on eternal character, spiritual growth, and a deeper relationship with Him.

    But God is not inconsiderate of your daily needs. Trust that God knows what you need and will supply it when you need it! God miraculously took care of the daily needs of Elijah both by Ravens and the widow of Zarephath. God did not give Elijah a whole barrel of food to last. He provided daily. 

    “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” Matthew 6:30 NIV

    How do I shift from what I think I need and want, to praising God for all that He has given me daily.

    Here are a few practical steps you can take.

    1. Start a daily Gratitude Practice.  Instead of asking for things, spend time thanking God for your current provisions. Keep a dedicated gratitude journal and write down at least three specific blessings each day. You will soon see you live a life of abundance instead of scarcity.
    • Actively Count your “Hidden” Blessings.  Write down your non-material gifts. Relationships, family, food on the table, job, grandchildren, friends, etc… The greatest blessing is that God loves you and has forgiven you, forgotten about your past transgressions and is building a mansion for you to live in next to Him in heaven.
    • Serve Others.  This is so important to understand.  You focus outward and it redirects your mind away from your personal desires. When you wash the feet of a person in need, only then will you be thankful that Jesus cleansed your feet with His blood.
    • Stop comparing yourself with what others have!  Covetousness will always creep in when you look at what others have.  This is exactly what happened to Adam and Eve.  They focused on what they did not have instead of the whole Garden of blessings. Social media is one of the greatest tools that Satan uses to make you desire what the world thinks you need instead of what God wants you to have.     
    • Start by changing your focus away from this world into a focus on eternal items. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. Matthew 6: 33 NIV

    This moment is a great time to just sit quietly and look around.  Open your mind and eyes to all the blessings that God has already given you and remember He is not done yet.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry


  • Patience

    “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. James 1: 3-4 NIV

    The Greek word for perseverance is Hupomone. It means to abide under, remain, or endure and implies an inward fortitude that allows one to withstand trials. It is not a passive resignation of the circumstances.

    Hupomone is often translated as endurance, steadfastness or patience.

    Patience is a fundamental character of God. That is why the Apostle Paul lists it as a “fruit of the Spirit,” meaning it is a character trait produced in believers by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 list it a fruit of the Spirit, not just something you can manufacture on your own.

    There are two aspects of patience that are focused on in these verses.

    The first is what produces patience? It only comes from me allowing total immersion by the Holy Spirit. It is a gift from God, given by allowing the Holy Spirit to control my actions, my thoughts and my character.

    The lesson is that I should only be focused on growing in my walk with God. Each morning starting the day off by walking with Him in the Garden and finishing each day off by walking with Him in the Garden. I can only hope to obtain any fruit of the Spirit by remaining in my close walk with God. The branch must stay connected to the vine to produce any character of God. The Fruit of the Spirit only comes to those that give total control to God. I can not build character on my own.

    The Second aspect is patience comes from testing of my faith. These tests are a sign of God’s Love toward me. The trials are intended to purify, strengthen, and elevate me rather than punish me.

    God loves me too much to leave me alone. 

    “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees”. Psalms 119:71 NIV

    “Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you”. Deuteronomy 8:5 NIV

    That is why James tells us to consider it pure Joy when tested. GOD LOVES YOU!

    In this world today and with all that is happening. One of the greatest witnesses that we can be for God is to show and exhibit Patience. Standing in a calm manner when all around us is turmoil. When your buttons are being pushed, when all around you is chaos and seems out of control. Stand and represent your Savior with the patience and Character of God.

    That is why today I am so thankful for God’s Love and Patience.  When tests came my way, there were times I failed to exhibit patience.  I got upset and reacted in a manner that did not represent God’s character. I may have reacted and said some things that were hurtful to others or not a representation of God. The Great wonder of it all is that God never lost patience in me, He just says I Love you and let’s learn from this. Then He tests me again and each time I grow a little more patient in my reaction to the tests.  When I understand that these trials and tests are because God Loves Me, then my Love for God grows in leaps and bounds.

    This is a complete change from within. A transformation of the mind and heart.

    “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”. Psalms 51:10 NIV

    The real and greatest reason to give up control and accept the fruit of the Spirit is found in Psalms 51: 13. “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you”.

    You can change people by being a witness for God in patience!

    Prayers for All.

    Larry

  • You are being Deceived

     If we are honest and ask ourselves what is one of the greatest deceptions that Satan has pulled over our eyes? I believe it is a deception that we easily fall into and we do not even begin to understand the dangers of this deception.

    It is the desire we have for an instant culture. I want it NOW!  Satan knows exactly how to cultivate that desire in each of us.

    David waited 12 years, Joseph waited 13 years, Abraham waited 25 years, Moses waited 40 years and Noah waited 120 years.

    We have lost patience with all aspects of life. We cannot wait 12 minutes let alone even comprehend waiting 12 years. Satan uses every opportunity to bring impatience into your life and therefore we are not interested in waiting for the Lord. When he keeps you impatient, he knows that you will fall back to trust in your own wisdom and timing. You will not have the patience or fortitude to wait on the Lord for the guidance you so need. Satan knows this and so readily keeps you in some sort of impatient attitude. If he can keep you in this attitude of instant desire, he knows that you will soon grow impatient with waiting on God.  You will soon seek your own answers or solutions to a problem.  A human solution or answer is never better than waiting on the promises of God.

    The Microwave was invented because we could not take the time to cook. Fast food came along for the same reason, and we do not care about the damage it does to our digestive system because we get it quickly. We want someone to summarize the bible or any book for us because we do not think we have the time to read. We want the news in sound bites.  We want our medicine to work instantly and are not interested in an herb or plant that would be a better cure for our illness but would take longer to work. We no longer mail anything because we want it faster by email. The computer must keep getting faster because we cannot wait one second to get an answer to a question. Then artificial intelligence comes along.  A false person to think for us and to accomplish tasks that we think we do not have the time to bother ourselves with. 

    There are many more examples, and I am sure most of them seem innocent and maybe helpful to you.  Yet, each one took you a little further away from waiting to hear God’s voice. Everything you do brings you closer to God or farther from God.  There is no neutral activity.

    Sarah lost patience and faith in God’s promise of a son.  She convinced Abraham that God had forgotten about them and the best course of action was to invite another woman into the equation.  Then a child that God did not ordain was created. Impatience with God brought a never-ending battle in the middle east.

    We want an answer to our prayers even before we are done praying.

    One of the best characteristics of God is His Patience. It is a fruit of the Spirit that Jesus promised to give us if we would receive it. Satan knows that if he can keep this fruit from you, he has won a major battle.

    “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you”. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

    Step 1. Realize God’s infinite patience with you. If anyone deserves to be impatient and act on that impatience, it is God. Have you forgotten how patience God has been with you?

    Step 2. God Calls you to be patient. Read: Romans 12:12, Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:12-13

    Step 3. Remember Love is Patient!  Matthew 22:37

    We all have fallen into this deception of impatience.  Satan knows exactly how to push your buttons.  Today, take the time to realize how Satan is working in your life with the attitude of impatience.

    Start a new walk of comfort in waiting on the Lord.

    Prayers for all.

    Larry

  • Stand Tall, The Battle is Mine

    Jesu Juva..

    In the first few verses of Chapter 3 in the book of Judges, we learn that God purposefully left some nations to persecute and to go to war against the Israelites.

    “They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord’s commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses”. Judges 3:4 NIV

    This is a wonderful verse that should explain to each of us that God’s ways are not your ways.  You want all your difficulties removed and for life to be smooth and peaceful. You think God loves you if everything is perfect and there are no disruptions in your life. God says just the opposite and says I am going to leave some major problems to test you to see if you are going to be faithful.

    You will notice that several times throughout the existence of the Israelites that during any period of peace. The Israelites became fat and happy and forgot their God.

    “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore, I did away with them as you have seen”.  Ezekiel 16:49-50 NIV

    God is telling you that the real sin Sodom committed was to become idle, lazy, arrogant and overfed.  Those sins led them to committing detestable things before the Lord.

    So here in Judges we have a group of people that God is asking them to represent Him to all the nations surrounding them. But they keep on forgetting God and trying to live like the other surrounding nations.

    Verse 30 says that there was peace in the land for 80 years.  If you look ahead to the first verse in chapter 4 you will notice that the Israelites sinned again.

    But there is a very interesting verse between those two verses.

    “After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel”. Judges 3:31 NIV

    History tells us that even in this time of peace the Palestinians were making incursions into Israel to test their armies and defenses.

    One day they sent a raiding party into Israel and came upon one man. Shamgar was just out with his oxen, minding his own business.  He was not prepared for the attack in the sense of having any armor, sword or a battle plan.

    He had with him a cattle prod that was just a stick used to tap the oxen and direct them to turn left or right.

    An oxgoad is a long (often 8–10 feet) wooden stick, traditionally used in farming to prod and direct oxen while plowing. It is typically fitted with a iron spike at one end to drive animals, and sometimes a flat metal blade at the other end to remove soil from the plow.

    Now put this picture in your mind. Six hundred men, armed and ready for battle, are descending upon you and your oxen.  They were screaming and yelling and running toward you.  They were getting ready to slaughter you and slaughter your oxen for a big BBQ.

    What would be your first reaction?  Be honest. Abandon your oxen and run for the nearest safety.  Run faster than you have ever run before. You would also be screaming for the Lord to save you from certain death.

    But God had already given Shamgar all that was needed for victory.  Shamgar did not consider his own safety or death.  He knew what was wrong and right. He knew that these Palestinians were attacking his God and He knew he had to defend.

    The greatest weapon Shamgar had was total trust in God.  If God had given him all the implements of war, Shamgar might have believed in his own might and power. In his own skill of fighting.  Shamgar had God on his side and all he needed was a stick.

    One man with God on his side slaughtered 600 enemy invaders. The verse says he saved Israel that day.

    Shamgar did not wake up that morning with any knowledge or idea that was the day he was going to be called upon to save anything. Yet, when presented with an intrusion, an attack on God. Shamgar stood his ground and went on the offensive. 

    All we get about this story is one little verse about an unknown man that saved Israel.  The Glory goes to God not Shamgar. 

    “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. Psalms 23:4 NIV

    You may be going through the valley of darkness, feeling alone, forgotten and in pain. Remember all you need is to trust God and go on the offensive. God has provided everything you need to be victorious.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry

    Soli Deo Gloria

  • Step of Faith

    The African Impala is very well known for its leaping ability.  It can jump over ten feet straight up and over thirty feet long in one jump. You would assume then that for the Impala to be kept in zoos they must build a very high fence. But at the Zoo they do not have to build a high fence.  A fence between three and four feet tall will do the trick of keeping the Impala within the borders of the enclosure.

    Here is the simple reason why. An Impala will not jump or leap if it cannot see where it will land.

    We have the same problem as followers of Jesus. We want a safe landing spot or a money back guarantee before we take a step in obedience or a leap in faith.  But you see that this attitude eliminates the faith aspect of an equation.

    Mark Batterson in his book “All In” wrote the following.  “Faith is the willingness to look foolish. Noah looked foolish building the ark. Sarah looked foolish buying maternity clothes at ninety. Moses Looked foolish asking Pharaoh to let the slaves go. The Israelites looked foolish marching around Jericho blowing trumpets. David looked foolish attacking Goliath with a slingshot. The wise men looked foolish following a star to Bethlehem. Peter looked foolish stepping out of the boat in the middle of the lake in the middle of the night”.

    The story is told of a group of farmers that all belonged to the same church. They needed rain very badly or all their crops would be ruined, and their farms would go bankrupt. They called a midweek prayer meeting. They all showed up wearing their traditional overalls and jeans. One farmer showed up wearing chest waders. Everyone thought he was foolish. He genuinely believed that God was going to answer the prayers for rain and he did not want to get wet on the way home. The other farmers didn’t even bring their umbrellas. They got drenched on their way home that night. One person walked home dry.

    If you believe and have the faith that God is going to answer your prayer, are you dressed for it before you pray? Act like a miracle has already happened. Faith is acting like God has already answered the prayer.  Dress and act for a miracle! 

    Are you shaved, dressed and hair combed before you pray for the healing relief of pain? Or is your faith only waiting to be healed before you act like you are healed?

    Donna had a vision to sell flowers.  She handed me a shovel and told me to start digging flower beds.  She had no one set up to buy the flowers. She did not contact any florist and asked if they wanted to buy the flowers that God told her to grow.  She only knew that she was supposed to grow flowers.  Were there slow days at the flower stand? Were there difficulties in growing the flowers and keeping the gophers away? Absolutely!

     Every morning we pray that God will grow and bloom the flowers He needs for the people He is going to send by that day. He knows who needs flowers to brighten their day and outlook on life. The flowers are the seed that was needed to let the Holy Spirit work in their hearts.

    There are many days where she does not think that there are enough blooms to harvest and make bouquets to sell the next day. Yet we pray and that night a miracle happens in the flower beds.  God knows what flowers are needed for the next morning.  The Beds are in full bloom and ready to be harvested and go to someone’s house to brighten their day.

    Yet the real miracle is what is happening in our life.  We have grown so much in our walk with God and with each other. The flowers were meant for us to grow closer with God and each other and that is the true Miracle.

    The depth of God’s Love is beyond understanding.

    We had to dig and sweat before we experienced the fullness of God’s Grace.

    Prayers for All.

  • No Plan B

    “He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate”. 1 Kings 19:21 NIV

    On February 19, 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés set sail for Mexico with over 600 sailors and soldiers with him. They were in eleven ships. The indigenous population upon his arrival was approximately five million. From a purely mathematical standpoint, the odds were stacked against him by a ratio of 7,541 to 1. Two previous expeditions had failed to even establish a settlement in the New World, yet Cortés conquered much of the South American continent.

    What Cortés did upon arrival on the shores of Mexico is to scuttle or burn all his ships. In one act he showed his men and those living in the land that there was no plan B. He took the option of plan B away.  It was survive or die.  There was no running back to the motherland when things got rough and uncomfortable.

    Elisha and his family were the largest farming operation in all of Israel.   While most people owned or rented a team of oxen and plow to do the farming.  Elisha’s family had 12 teams of oxen and twelve plows.

    “He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair”. 1 Kings 19: 19 NIV

    Elijah was sent by God, after a discussion at the mouth of a cave, to go and put his cloak around Elisha and make him the new prophet. He found Elisha in the field plowing and went up to him and covered him in the robe that he was wearing to signify that God had transferred the prophetic power to Elisha.

    Elisha did not hesitate, He accepted and told Elijah that he would be right back.  He went home to kiss his parents and then slaughtered the oxen and smashed the plow into firewood. He then proceeded to BBQ the oxen and fed everyone and then said goodbye.

    Elisha took away plan B.  He did not just put the oxen and plow in storage, just in case this prophet thing did not work out or if he became discouraged.  He burnt and ate his past. He eliminated the possibility of going back to farming.

    When Peter decided to get out of the boat and walk on the water. He simply put all his trust in Jesus.  He did not ask the other disciples to tie a rope around his waist and pull him back into the boat if he started sinking.  With no life jacket or rope for safety, he simply stepped out in full faith of Jesus his Savior. No Plan B. When he failed and started sinking, he did not start swimming back to the boat. He looked up and noticed a hand reaching for him. Jesus was there to save him.

    Are you at a moment that you need to burn the ships and oxen of your past? The only way is to make a defining decision to eliminate the possibilities of going back to the old world we left behind.  You burn the ships of past failure, past success, bad habits, addictions, regrets and guilt. You burn the ship named my old way of life.

    Most people would assume God had blessed them to have twelve yokes of oxen and that is where God wanted them to shine.  But God had other plans for Elisha. 

    Does God have plans for you that you need to step out into faith and burn the past so there is not going back?

    The rich young ruler missed out on the wonderful life Jesus had planned for him because he was not willing to give up plan B.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry

  • Silence, Wait, Be Still

    Maybe not all families, but I would venture to say a very large percentage of families have one or more members that just cannot be silent and sit still. No matter what the situation or circumstance is, they must voice an opinion or give directions. Even if they are not part of the conversation, they hear a little bit of it, and they must come over and give their opinion.  We all know someone like that or you yourself may be that person.

    What is the hardest thing for a human to do?  It also is one of the areas that Satan fights most against and never wants you to master this habit with God.

    To be Still and Silent and Wait on your God!

    There are three words in the above statement that you do not like. Still, Silent, and Wait!

    “God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!” Exodus 14:14 The Message

    “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV

    “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength”. Isaiah 40:31 KJV

    “But Jesus Remained Silent”. Matthew 26:63 NIV

    This is a character or habit that must be mastered if we are to walk with God like Enoch did. Satan deeply understands that if he can keep you busy and believing that your opinion is needed or that you can solve all problems. You don’t need to wait on the Lord because you believe God has given your wisdom or knowledge for you to think on your own. Satan never wants for you to get that close to God and trust Him in all situations.  To make God your refuge.

    How did Satan get us to the belief that we can or should try and solve every situation and problem on our own? 

    It is because you have allowed him to infiltrate you with the wrong definition of waiting, silence and still.

    You associate these words with being passive, not doing anything, an insult to your knowledge and time. Satan has structured a world where we want it in an instance and a belief that we deserve everything immediately when we ask for it or desire it.

    But God has a very different definition of those three words.  The time spent in waiting, stillness and silence is an active time for growth in relationship with God.

    When I want to plant a vegetable, I first put the tiny seed in a small amount of specialized dirt in a seedling tray. The seedlings do not sprout for about a week or two. My Chinese eggplants did not sprout for over twenty-one days.  The trays are put on shelves where there is a grow light above them. The first leaves to appear are cotyledon leaves.  They are there to absorb energy and help the roots form.  Then the true leaves of the plant appear, and the cotyledon leaves dry up and disappear. This happens over a three-to-four-week period.   Once I get two sets of true leaves then the plant is ready to be moved outdoors and become what it truly was supposed to be.

    Was I just sitting there passively and not doing anything during that time?  Not at all.  Watering, fertilizing, turning on the grow light and monitoring the time spent under the light.  Checking the growth and color and roots every day.

    Waiting on God is and should be a very active time.   Time spent deep in soul searching, praying, fasting, opening His word and diving deep into the meanings of the words. Listening for His voice and preparing yourself for the outcome. Sleeping and letting your lamp go out is not what God had in mind.

    It also requires your total trust in the outcome or the answer.  We are told that God’s ways are not our ways. So why are you waiting for an answer that you want and understand? If you are waiting for the answer you want, be prepared for a long time while the Holy Spirit works on your control issues.

    If you are interested in taking the next step in your growth with God, sit still, silent and wait.  He knows what He has planned for you.  It is an awesome future. What you had planned will not be anything compared to what God has in store for you.

    Don’t underestimate God’s desire to walk with you in the garden.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry