Are You PINNED?..

 Are You PINNED?..

Is there a situation that has you feeling stuck/ trapped/ overwhelmed/ outnumbered/unable to get clear of it? Acts 12 Peter had multiple guards and gates. How many circumstances do you have currently working against you and your loved ones that the Almighty God your father cannot deliver you from?

Acts 12:4

4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

Peter was being guarded by a total of sixteen soldiers.  The King had him arrested for preaching the word of God and had intended to kill him infront of everyone.  However God sent an angel to set him free and caused him to walk out of prison completely unharmed.  In addition, God had Herod kill all the guards, then God killed Herod.  Peter escaped and went on to preach in other cities without a scratch.  Know this, God always has the last say.  He is the author and finisher of your faith and fate, not man.  Hebrews 12.

Inspite of how outnumbered you might feel at times, do like Elisha.  Ask God to open your eyes so that you can see that there as so many, many, many more who are for you, than those who are against you. 2 Kings 6

2 Kings 6: 16

16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

The trick is fear. Fear is the devil's primary weapon against the believers of Christ.  You have to train yourself to always remember that fear is not of God.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1 Whenever you encounter overwhelming situations, you have to declare what you believe. For we overcome by the blood of The Lamb and the word of our testimony. Revelation 12  God is still the only Sovereign creator of the world. HE holds everything in place.  Absolutely nothing escapes HIM.  For HE hears all the cries of HIS people and delivers us from all of our troubles.  Psalm 34

You have to know that though you may encounter physical obstacles and boundaries, nothing happens in the physical without first happening in the spiritual realm.  The physical realm is like an extension of actions already taken in the spiritual realm.  Nothing happens without God's acknowledgement.  You need to understand the authority that God has given to you over the physical and spiritual realms. Luke 10 The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10 Prayer is our greatest weapon.  The armour of God includes the Word of God. Ephesians 6 While Peter was in prison the other believers were somewhere else praying for him.  This is one of the primary reasons why you need community. 

Acts 12: 5

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Christians need other christians in order to be successful in this world.  When you are feeling weak/ overwhelmed you need someone else to stand on your behalf.  When the Israelites were fighting in battle, everytime they held up Joshua's arm his army was advancing. But whenever his arms fell down, their enemy was winning. Exodus 17  Find yourself a church where people pray earnestly for each other.  We all need a support system.  For that is what we are - a system.  1 Corinthians 12 You are the body of Christ. We cannot operate successfully without the help of other believers.  We are our brother's keeper, that's God's intent.  We have to get back to being like the 1st church in Acts where the believers cared for each other.  Most importantly, 'the Acts Church' was led by the Holy Spirit.  Greater is HE that is in us than HE that is in the world. 1 John 4 You will not be able to experience a victorious lifestyle of liberty and overcoming, without the directive and continued support of the Holy Spirit. John 15 Allow yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit who gives peace and wisdom  for every challenge you will ever encounter. Your goliath infront of you is not greater than the God who's in you. Stay connected!

TESTIMONY: The Only Rabbi to the Nations | Yeshua In The Rabbinic Text, Ep.7

WORSHIP: You are my strength | Miranda Curtis

The real question isn't are you pinned but rather, The Holy Spirit - Is He In You?

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!

The Kingdom of God(pt.3)....The Gospel for who?

The Kingdom(pt.3)The Gospel for who?

If the gospel is necessary, that implies that whatever was it's substitute was not suffice to accomplish the purposes for which it was intended.  The gospel is good news.  The Gospel is good news from God to HIS people.  This begs the question, what was the bad news?  What were God's people believing that wasn't true?  What was wrong?

What was God's intent towards HIS people?

Genesis 1 - 3

When God created mankind HE gave them dominion over the earth and access to a personal relationship with HIM.  Adam and Eve knew what God looked like, what HE sounded like and had access to eternity.  But when they disobeyed God's command HE banished them from access to HIS presence.  God had so many good plans for man's dominion of HIS Kingdom on earth.  HE wanted man to replicate HIS order and power in the earth all along.  But in order for this to be sustained man would have to remain in constant communication with heaven; to get directives and resources for continued success. 

What happened?

After Adam disobeyed God and was banished from God's presence, sin grew to dominate the earth, so much so that God decided to destroy the entire earth. Genesis 7 God told Noah to build an ark for himself, his family and the animals because all the other people displeased HIM.  HE reiterates HIS plan and purpose for mankind on earth to Noah. Something about the human nature why we keep reverting to sin; because even after the flood, Noah's offspring decided to build the tower of Babel.  Men did what they thought without asking God's opinion, nor paying attention to HIS decrees. Constantly men are drawn to pagan worship instead of acknowledging God as the only supreme God worth worshiping.  God is merciful.  Inspite of our shortfall, HE remains faithful to HIS word. HE promised Noah HE would never destroy the earth again completely.  Genesis 8: 20-22 So from time to time HE pulls the obedient people away from the disobedient ones to start over again. 
Constantly HE reiterates HIS plan and purpose for mankind on earth.

Genesis 9: 1-6

9 God said to Noah and his sons:

I am giving you my blessing. Have a lot of children and grandchildren, so people will live everywhere on this earth. 2 All animals, birds, reptiles, and fish will be afraid of you. I have placed them under your control, 3 and I have given them to you for food. From now on, you may eat them, as well as the green plants that you have always eaten. 4 But life is in the blood, and you must not eat any meat that still has blood in it. 5-6 I created humans to be like me, and I will punish any animal or person that takes a human life. If an animal kills someone, that animal must die. And if a person takes the life of another, that person must be put to death.

Not long after Noah, HE pulls Abraham.

Genesis 12: 1-3

12 The Lord said to Abram:Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you.

Genesis 17 God's one condition to Abraham was that he should remain obedient to God.  Nevertheless, God promises to be their God no matter what.  Over and over throughout the different generations God keeps pulling away HIS righteous people to start over on a new slate.  So it was with Moses and the Israelites. Finally, God promised to send someone, a part of himself to fix the problem.

Isaiah 9: 6-8

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

Jesus changed the  Jewish paradigm

Jesus brought the government of heaven to earth to  help us to finally get it right.  Now we can do things the right way with all the right resources in abundance.  The great news is that 'of the increase of HIS government there will be no end, meaning: once HE brought it, we have all we need and this government will never be overthrown. God fulfilled HIS promise to the Jews by sending HIS son Jesus Christ as the solution of reconciling mankind back to a right relationship with HIM as well as to a rightful position as rulers in the Kingdom of heaven on earth. 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21

Initially, the Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah.  They didn't believe HE was from God nor even God himself.  As a result, Jesus invited other 'non-jews', i.e. gentiles, to benefit from HIS actions. St. John 1  Jesus brought truth and grace for all peoples.  Reconciliation to the Father and HIS Kingdom is for anyone who will accept by faith what God promised.  This is the parable of the King who had a great feast with specially invited guests.  But when he sent his servants to get the invitees they were pre-occupied and refused to attend.  So he told the servants to go back out and invite the 'forbidden'.  The Jews and the Gentiles did not mix. Gentiles were considered forbidden and unclean. Luke 14 The gospel is for anyone who will believe Jesus and obey HIS commands of reconciliation to God.  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.  God gave Peter this confirmation in a dream about no longer calling different animals unclean.  Acts 10 This is the good news for the gentiles.  The centurion though gentile was now entitled to partake of God's promises according to his faith. Today, our only pre-condition to God is faith in Jesus.

TESTIMONY: Son of Imam starts preaching the Gospel on the streets of GAZA!! - Pod for Israel - Arabic Ministry

WORSHIP: JJ Hairston & Mercy Chinwo : EXCESS LOVE REMIX (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

No one is excluded!