Lessons of Faith 13: "God Understands?"

Lessons of Faith 13: "God Understands?"

Over the last few days I've listened to Pastor George Delaney share on the topic "what in the world am I here for?" I really started thinking about the subject and especially in reference to the life of Joseph.

Joseph had a dream which showed him a bit of his destiny but not how he would get there. The Lords plan involved several 'assignments' in his life. Each assignment had its own set of tests and passing was critical to getting to the next level of God's plan.

The Pit, Potiphar's house, the Prison, Paraoah's Palace, the visit of his brothers to obtain grain were all assignments. The tests showed either Godly character and integrity or shows the lack of it. I thought on this for a while and was moved by Joseph's consistent commitment to his Faith and righteousness.

I wonder what we would have done faced with the same conditions? Many of us cut corners, fall shy of integrity and good character and believe that God 'understands.' In Jamaica, ethics seem to depend on 'what is in it for me' or depend on 'who's doing what.' Righteousness depends on personal interpretation of the scripture and not on God's Biblical injunction against unholy and unrighteous conduct.

Our 'purposed' destination in Christ is only achievable when we live each assignment and come out of the testing phase with God's result and not our crafty and carnal device. Lord, take me through each season of assignment and craft each test to bring me forth as pure gold. AMEN

GOD UNDERSTANDS?

Over the last few days I've listened to Pastor George Delaney share on the topic "what in the world am I here for?" I really started thinking about the subject and especially in reference to the life of Joseph.

Joseph had a dream which showed him a bit of his destiny but not how he would get there. The Lords plan involved several 'assignments' in his life. Each assignment had its own set of tests and passing was critical to getting to the next level of God's plan.

The Pit, Potiphar's house, the Prison, Paraoah's Palace, the visit of his brothers to obtain grain were all assignments. The tests showed either Godly character and integrity or shows the lack of it. I thought on this for a while and was moved by Joseph's consistent commitment to his Faith and righteousness.

I wonder what we would have done faced with the same conditions? Many of us cut corners, fall shy of integrity and good character and believe that God 'understands.' In Jamaica, ethics seem to depend on 'what is in it for me' or depend on 'who's doing what.' Righteousness depends on personal interpretation of the scripture and not on God's Biblical injunction against unholy and unrighteous conduct.

Our 'purposed' destination in Christ is only achievable when we live each assignment and come out of the testing phase with God's result and not our crafty and carnal device. Lord, take me through each season of assignment and craft each test to bring me forth as pure gold. AMEN

Lessons of Faith 12: DETERMINED TO RESIST

Yesterday, February 23, was our morning slot at the local prison. The meeting went well, The Lord showed up tremendously as we ministered to the men. But something really challenged me in the atmosphere of ministry.

At one point I felt a great resistance and asked all gathered to stand with me and pray, we did and then discoverd there were some men outside who found it necesaray to leave the large campus and find their way to the chapel to create confusion. Well, it was not to be and that was subdued.

As we left, the youngest of the three was very mouthy, not directly toward us but speaking loud enough with his two friends for us to hear. "Babylon nah change mi," "mi madda and fadda nah change mi." "not even God caan change mi."

As I contemplated the situation in prayer, the Spirit of The Lord made an interesting observation and issued a question. Why did they leave where they had been, far away, to come to the chapel and to oppose God? In prayer that morning we made a specific statement and declared that we issued a divine summons to draw all that should come to the service that morning to know The Lord. Several we had seen while we were walking to the chapel came as prompted by the spirit of grace, and these also came.

The Lord said to me, I'm calling them, I'm wooing them, I'm touching them and i am winning them. They do not know it yet but the opposing force of evil in and around them is offering great opposition but He (God) wins. I therefore continue to pray for these three young men, Rastafarians, two that seemed subdued to the Holy Spirit and one seemed determined to resist Him. "Lord I break the stronghold of the enemy over these young men and I pray for their deliverance and salvation, inJesus name... Amen"

The Crumbs are Mine Too

The LION and the BEAR are dead! The LAMB lives!

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: "And David said to Saul, Your servant kept his father’s sheep. And when there came a lion or again a bear and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and smote it and delivered the lamb out of its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard and smote it and killed it. 36 Your servant killed both the lion and the bear..." 1 Samuel 17:34-36 #todaysscripture

TODAY'S THOUGHT: Satan wants the fruit of your life, he wants to destroy what God has allowed you to birth, what your years of toil and perseverance has yielded.  The lamb was new birth, vulnerable birth, new vitality birth. We must contend for our children, contend for our new endeavors, contend for new souls, contend for our dream and vision... For the lion and the bear, a type of demonic attack would destroy them.  Thank God for Intercessors and those persevere in prayer for the lambs - that they might live! #todaysthought

IS GOD WEAK OR DEAD OR ASLEEP?

I have noticed over the years of being in Jamaica and around some christians, that there is an overwhelming preoccupation about what others are doing against them.
 
I have heard the concern about:
1) What words people are being spoken against them
2) What witchcraft is being worked against them
3) What prayers are being prayed against them
4) What actions are being taken against them
 
I was speaking with the Lord in my personal time and actually said to him, if YOU, Lord cannot keep me and I have to fight all these battles on my own, if I have to be preoccupied with every attack and devise my own protection, then I don't believe that I should be serving you. My time is valuable in praying positively for my people and nation. It is paramount for me to LIVE in him and focus on his will and purpose and not be distracted by every whim and fancy of my enemies.
 
Our God is an all consuming fire, his word says "no weapon formed against us prospers." He says, his angels stand guard against us. Read the 23rd Psalm again, Read the 91st Psalm, realize the the very Spirit of God raises a standard of protection against our enemies.
  
The word says, "BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT!" Not weak and worrying where the next attack will come from. Walk in righteousness and holiness, walk in the LOVE of God and see the salvation of the Lord in all your do!
 
IF GOD CAN'T KEEP [preserve, guard] ME, WHO CAN? After all, "He is THE ALMIGHTY" maker of heaven and earth! My Friends, if I die, I die for the sake of Christ, if our reputation is damaged because of lying tongues God is our vindicator and avenger, if we live, we live for him and submit ourselves entirely to him!
 
Pastor Winston

Moving Into My Destiny Part 7