You Are Not Alone - BE STILL..

 You Are Not Alone - BE STILL..

It's NEVER about your feelings nor fears. It's ALWAYS about your FAITH! Your faith is about your confidence in God as your source.  Often times you never know when or where HE'S going to bring the solution from. You just trust that HE will. HE is your only source. Everything and everyone is 'just a resource' HE will use.  You have to know the difference between the counterfeit and the real.  That comes with practice.  The more time you spend studying the real, then being able to identify the counterfeit a mile away is a given.

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Think about Jacob for a minute.  Genesis 25 - 35 He started out as a conniving artist.  He thought he had to cheat to get ahead.  It led him down a path of trials and tribulations, one demise after another.  He fled for his life from his brother; he wrestled with the angel; he got cheated by his father-in-law on several occassions. God used his cheating skill against him to remove what was inappropriate in him.  When Jacob returned to Canaan many years later he was a humble and honest man.  He had learnt to lean on God. When his father-in-law tried to cheat him with his wife, instead of 7 years he worked for 14 years. When his father-in-law tried to cheat him with the lifestock, he chose the lesser breed, yet God caused him to florish.  HE made God his source. His time away from home taught him to put his faith in God's ability and power.  

Genesis 28:20-22

20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

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Think about the disciples caught in the storm. Mark 4. They were mostly fishermen.  That was their career, and they were good at it.  They thought they had to fish to get ahead. But God used their career to show them how insecure they really were. Their faith almost led them to a fate of death. In the boat with Jesus, they thought they were going to die.  God used their skill of fishing for fish to teach them how to 'fish for men'.  They were afraid of the natural elements, but became more afraid of Jesus after HE stilled the storm.  The disciples learnt to trust Jesus' transformative power. They chose to follow Jesus everywhere; even into the unfamiliar gentile territory.  (For instance: They were heading to the man who lived in the graveyard.  They saw Jesus cast the demons into the pigs.  Jews don't rear pigs. It's an abomination.) 

Mark 4

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

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 We cannot rely on our feelings and our fears.  Infact, our fear should be of God's power and authority.  HE has absolute authority over everything. Afterall, HE is the creator who existed before our beginning. We must study God's word. The devil needs God's permission to act; like us, he was created.  The devil often times wins against us because we are not familiar enough with our God and what HE says. God promised Jacob that HE would take care of him and take him back to his father's house.  God even promised him that he would rule over his brother Esau and become the father of many nations.  Also, Jesus told the diciples that they were going over to another town. Yet, they accused HIM of not caring if they drowned.  We have to be careful about who we believe.  Do you believe God about the things HE has said over your life?  It doesn't matter how you feel.  Fear is human.  You have to train your mind to walk past your fear into faith.  It's a discipline. Practice, practice, practice! That's why HE commands us to walk in the spirit.  Galatians 5 Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we cannot win.  We need the Holy Spirit to be victorious daily. Luke 4 Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

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Even though Jesus had performed so many miracles alongside them, and had even sent them to do miracles themselves, they were still afraid.  The disciples had never seen anyone turn chaos and or mayhem into peace like that when HE calmed the storm.  Jesus exposed them to different dimensions of himself. After HE died, they went into hiding.  But HE told them to wait for the Holy Spirit. Once, they received the Holy Spirit, they became bold.  The Holy Spirit gives clarity, power and authority. John 16 We will have opposition like squalls raging all around us.  Sometimes we will feel like we're about to drown.  But you must not forget - Jesus is always in the boat of your circumstance.  Call out to HIM!  Wake HIM up from the stern of your boat. You are never alone in your trials and tribulations. HE has given us the Holy Spirit. Listen to the Holy Spirit's directive. Ask HIM to guide you. HE is the difference between real and counterfeit.  HE gives us discernment and courage.

John 14:26

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

God's word to HIS believers is that HE will never leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13 If we put our trust in HIM, HE will prove faithful everytime.  Seek answers from the Holy Spirit. Become teachable, for HIS ways are not our ways, nor HIS thoughts ours. The kingdom culture is taught through the power of the Holy Spirit. If you want to live an abundant and liberated life trust God's leading. 1 Corinthians 2 Sometimes you'll just have to sit back and let God deal with your fears.  Don't resolve to fear. Resolve to push past fear and take a hold of faith.  Trust that God is able to handle every situation, and be still as you wait for HIS resources to show up.  God sent the raven to feed Elijah.  God stopped Balaam's donkey.  God drowned the Egyptian army following Moses.  Watch and see what HE will send next for you and your loved ones.  HE'S always on time! Anchor your faith in HIS ability! HE is for you! HE cannot lie!

WORSHIP: Israel Houghton - I'm With You/Be Still (feat. Adrienne Houghton) ft. Adrienne Houghton

TESTIMONY: Evidence of THE Messiah found in Isaiah 53?! | Case For Messiah

HE Is Your PEACE! BE STILL!

Sometimes You're It.

 Sometimes You're It..

Sometimes you're it! Sometimes you fall behind. Sometimes you get distracted by your own desires, ideas, emotions, lusts, etc...  Sometimes you get stuck. Stuck in your own ways, a ditch you didn't see; a ditch you thought you could cross safely; something you thought you could control or manipulate. A bad situation, relationship, investment, habit, loss. Life happens, and you get lost.  Fears creep in, and it's more than you can bear or want to.

Luke 15 Imagine the story of the lost sheep.  Left behind from the pack, maybe he fell into a ditch; got caught in a fence or maize; just caught.  Caught by a situation that was more than he could manage. He needed help. He needed finding.  Or imagine the story of the lost coin - falling into a really dark place, a dark situation, a helpless situation.  Imagine being deceived.  Being cornered or manipulated by someone you trusted. Sometimes you can get hurt in a very familiar place where the pain and the hurt causes you to cocoon and morphe into such a delicate position that you need to be sought after to become restored.

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You are not just another number. God knows you by name. Before you were formed in your mother's womb God knew you.  He carved out an entire plan for every moment of your life. Jeremiah 1 Inspite of HIS supremacy, HE'S meticulous about you. HE knows every strand of hair in your head. Luke 12 You are unique.  God doesn't make mistakes. Only humans do that. HE provides for the swallows, and the lillies are adorable. But you exceed them all.  HE is filthy rich and HE wants nothing more than to lavish you with more than gifts.  HE wants to share HIS space, HIS kingdom with you.  It is HIS intention to smother you with inconceivable wealth of life.  The things that you seek, the things that you chase after - HE wants to give them to you and so much more. Matthew 6: 25-34  Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. John 10  You are not forgotten! You are not hopeless! You are priceless! You are always priceless!

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Like the shepherd who intentionally went searching for the one lost sheep and rescued it from it's captivity, so too the Lord Jesus rescues us from our ditches.  Like the woman who lost the one of her ten coins, lit her lamp and searched vehemently until she found it; so too God is careful to shine HIS light into our cocoons.  Being found isn't just a story for the unbeliever, but for the saint as well.  It's the story for the one who is already familiar with Saviour.  The one who has already encountered Jesus, but chose to leave on his own accord like the prodigal son.  He grew up with his father and chose to leave early against the norm and laws of his heritage.  He soon discovered that his choices were wrong, and his father's ways and regulations were right after all.  His father's outlook of the path for his life was right on point. He came to his senses.

Luke 15: 17 - 20

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

My plea to you today is to 'come to your senses'.  Allow God to restore you like the father did his son. Or the woman with her coin. Or the shepherd with his sheep.  The attitude isn't one of condemnation, but restoration.  You may have gone off on your own free will. But remember this, you're human. You cannot ever save yourself, nor block all the traps the devil sets for you.  1 Peter 5 The father was the one who was looking out for his son.  Everyday he was on the lookout for him.  The shepherd chose to leave the other 99 sheep and go after the lost one.  The woman chose to light the lamp and sweep until she found the lost one.  Sometimes you're the lost one.  Sometimes you will get distacted, deceived, lustful, proud, stupid, etc... Sometimes you will lose your way.  It's what we do as humans. Don't be too hard on yourself. 

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God is a restorer. That's why Jesus came from heaven to earth. HE came to reconcile us to the father. Psalm 23 HE is the shepherd.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

God's attitude towards us is always from a place of love.  HE knows we can't save ourselves. Sheep are dumb. Coins are lifeless and young sons are stupid. Stop trying to live in your own strength. You will fall, fail, sink, drown, cocoon. Cry out to God and let HIM rescue you.  When you find youself in a dark place, Don't run from God, run to God! Let go and let God take you into HIS arms. Feel HIS palm enclose around you. Isaiah 41 God made Jesus become human and give up the wealth and royalty of heaven to give us the opportunity to experience and enjoy HIS lifestyle and love. 2 Corinthians 5 Give God a chance to restore you. HE'S so excited to have you back, like the rich father of the prodigal son  who has a feast. Or the woman who calls her neighbors. God throws a party in heaven. The angels rejoice.  

And remember, when you've been restored, extend grace to others.  From time to time others fall behind and or in a ditch. Sometimes, others are the lost coin. Sometimes you're it!

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WORSHIP: 

Why (Live From The Loft) | feat. ELEVATION RHYTHM | Elevation Worship

TESTIMONY:

Don't stay lost. Come to your senses!