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?

When The Rubber Hits The Road..

 When The Rubber Hits The Road..

            There comes a time in our faith journey when a bad incident happens and our results are unexpected and disappointing.  Something unusual happens and life throws you a curve ball below the belt where it hurts. Are you there yet? Have you ever  lost faith because of a betrayal? Someone refusing to act when/ how necessary? Your friend/ family member or community unsupportive? Have you ever felt stranded? It's like getting a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere.

• It's a place of a great crescendo, then a steep batholith to follow. 
• It's the story of Julius Caesar being stabbed by Brutus.  
• It's Alanis Morrisette in Ironic.
• It's Joseph thrown in the pit by his brothers
• It's Jesus leaving Gethsemane without his friends

It's the day you don't want to roll out of bed when you think about what lies ahead.  But rest assured, it is 'lies ahead'.  Whose narrative will you believe, the one in your head or the one that God dictates.  Whose report will you believe?

HIS word to us always is 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'. Deutoronomy 31 

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. But in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will direct your path'.

1 Corinthians 10:13 

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

No matter how hopeless a situation may seem, there's always a good solution.  Don't give up. Don't give in. Don't sin! God promises to make a way out.  Trusting HIM is hard sometimes, even seemingly stupid. But the truth is, HE is your biggest supporter. When you keep your eyes on HIM and HIS word, HE will always make a way. HE is the God who spoke light into darkness. Every dark reality must surrender to HIS command.  It is this same command that HE has given to HIS children, HIS believers.  HE has given us dominion. Genesis 1:26

The question is do you believe HIM?

It doesn't matter who isn't there when you need them. Humans err.  God is not afraid nor surprised by anything under the sun. If He says HE's with you, my friend, be strong and courageous! Ask HIM to reveal HIS presence to you. Ask HIM to open your eyes so you can see like Elisha that there are so many more that are for you than against you. HE is for you! 2 Kings 6 

TESTIMONY:

 

WORSHIP: The Blessing with Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes | Live From Elevation Ballantyne | Elevation Worship

Trust HIS timing to bring it to pass!